 The Fingering Forum
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Author: Ambrosia
Date: 2004-12-22 02:28
ive been playing clarinet for about 5 or some odd years...something like that. anyways, i was practicing today, and when i would go up and play high g, a, b, or c, my clarinet squeeks. it just started doing that yesterday, all my pads are fine, but i dont know what is wrong with it. any clues what could be wrong with it, i am all out of ideas.
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Author: Flute1
Date: 2004-12-22 07:17
It may be the mouthpiece or you are taking too much mouthpiece in as you play.
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Author: Trent
Date: 2004-12-22 09:53
you might need a stronger reed or something. not too long a go i started squeaking like crazy, over blowing all my notes and stuff, so i got a stronger reed and all was fine.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2004-12-22 12:27
Even though the pads look fine to you, a techinician might find one that is not seating well so you should have it checked out.
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Author: hautbois
Date: 2004-12-23 01:24
yeah, you should just check for leaks playing on the lower register and especially the throat tones too. and if nothing works just go for a repairman, always happy to get your $$$.
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Author: Ambrosia
Date: 2004-12-24 02:50
taking in too much mouthpeice isnt really a problem as it makes your sound louder. i dont think i need a stronger reed,im on vandorans, but i think i might actually try a stronger one. it isnt a leak, or an offset pad, i had my clarinet checked out before state for marchingband, about 2 months ago...i hope it isnt anything seriously wrong...now im paranoid. lol, thanks for your suggestions, i guess i will take it to a "doctor" to have it checked out. hopefully it isnt cancer. lol. any other suggestions?
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Author: Kate
Date: 2004-12-26 17:30
Actually, if you've been using the same reed, it may just be the reed you've chosen (they change with weather, so a previously good reed may now squeak. It may also have warped). Check your reeds carefully and try several different ones. You may be biting in the upper registers slightly, or have too much jaw pressure (or your jaw pressure may be uneven). Even if you weren't doing this before, you may have started to do it if you've been playing a lot lately (you'll bite or do weird things to keep playing on a tired embouchure, and it creates new habits).
After trying your reeds out and finding a good one, play up to those notes. Keep your air going and keep your breath support. DON'T adjust your embouchure, no matter what. If this doesn't solve the problem, you may need to work on your embouchure and control.
Keep in mind that the high A likes to squeak, and it takes a lot to be able to control it (it is part of the accoustics of the instrument to do that). Hope this helps. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
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Author: Joel Clifton
Date: 2004-12-26 18:32
Does it happen more if you tongue the notes? It may be the reed. Occasionally I squeak badly, and if I change reeds I play fine. I think it is because of unbalanced reeds (thicker on one side than the other.) If I use my reed rush and balance the reed, they usually seem to work fine.
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Author: Joel Clifton
Date: 2004-12-26 18:33
I should have asked before: What kind of squeak is it? A honk or squeak like if you bite the reed, or more of a high-pitched chirp?
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Author: Ambrosia
Date: 2004-12-27 00:47
it sounds like i bite the reed. but im not biting it, im not changing my embouchure...that isnt spelled right is it?..any ways, maybe it is something wrong with the reed. i dont ever have trouble with vandorans, but hey, nothing's perfect. i think i might try with a new mouthpeice, that is what they said at the music store. ill let you guys know how it all turns out.
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Author: Chuck
Date: 2005-02-12 00:58
I use Gonzalez reeds because they are a speciality in the squeeks and bad sounds. I only play my vandoren reeds on my Vandoren B.45 mouthpeice.
Yes, go tho a techniition!
If you are playing wood look for cracks and ask the repair man/lady for them to look also! But DONT worry if you see a crack they can fix it!!!!
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