The Fingering Forum![The C4 standard](/clarinet/BBoard/images/C4.gif)
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Author: Ivan
Date: 2001-10-09 18:47
HI all,
I just got my hands on a clarinet and would like to teach myself how to play it. I have a great musical ear, and can mess around with the piano and guitar, but have never played a woodwind before. Any recommendations on how I should start. I am going to my local music store because I think it needs a new reed...I can't get a single note out of the thing. ..so I have a few questions:
1 How hard should you have to blow to get a nice tone?
2 How close iis the clarinet to the sax?
3 Are there any sites that will show me the proper way to assemble and hold it?
I guess any info would be hellpful. Thanks.
-Ivan
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Author: Eoin
Date: 2001-10-09 22:13
Ivan, I set up a site for complete beginners. It should answer some of these questions.
You will need to buy a few reeds as they wear out regularly. But don't worry, they're not expensive.
Sax and clarinet are similar. They both use the same sort of reed so you make a sound in the same way. But sax has a much simpler fingering, and you don't have to hold your mouth muscles quite as tight.
My site is at:
http://gofree.indigo.ie/~jonmca/clarinet1.html
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Author: Bassoon Bob
Date: 2001-10-09 22:14
ive played clarinet for 3 years and im in the leading band at my high school. if you playu on a soaked #2 reed you shouldnt have to blow hard at all. the clarinet is very closely related to the sax. the use of the reed and the altissimo fingerings make it closely related. Basicaly the clarinet shows itself how to be assembled. i recmmend to buy a beginner book that shows how to assemble and has a fingering chart. dont worry a bout high notes at this time, worry about getting a sound and one thats in tune.
do you know why clarinets don't play in a church?
to much glass!
good luck!
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-10-10 01:36
Have the clarinet checked out by a clarinet teacher or technician to make sure it is in proper working condition.
I recommend that you find a teacher so that you don't develop any bad habits that have to be corrected later.
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Author: Chris
Date: 2001-10-14 20:27
Ivan, make sure you are using a low numbered reed. For example, a number 2 or 21/2. The higher the number the harder it will be to make a sound but you will get better tone quality. The lower numbered reeds are good for beginers. You shouldnt have to blow hard to make a sound. Get some insturction on how to have good technique while you play
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Author: karlie
Date: 2004-11-06 00:09
ok hey...
i play and ive been playing for like ever... i can help if you want me to....
first question: when you go to play the clarinet you have to make sure that your mouth is the right way... you have to have your bottom lip over top you your teeth...and the top is fine where it is... then you blow into it...when you get used to it it will sound as good as like a piano... evern better if you sound ok
second question: well i want to play the sax but i havent tried it yet i would love to know that myself...but to help a little... a friend of mine switched for clarinet to sax..and he is really getting good at it so i think it is really close....
third question: thats a really good question but why ask the sites when you have me??? lol ok...try to get this...
left hand on top...thumb on the thumb hole in the back...
ON THE FRONT
pointer finger: first hole...
middle finger: second hole...
ring finger: third hole...
~~!Hint!~~
recap... thumb will always be used... except when playing A
that means that when you have the thumb hole in it is a G
and when you play a G add your first finger and it becomes a E add your second and then it becomes a D add the third and it becomes a C... i know i forgot F if you play without any of your fingers on any of the keys... you get an F not the grade... ok... now on to the second part...
your right hand
the right hand goes on the bottom, again your first second and third finger go on the first second and third keys...
when you add them... with the 4 keys (C D E and G)
put the first finger down and then it becomes a B and the second added becomes a A the lower A the higher A is the little weird looking thing above the E key you just push that in and it make A nothing else jst that key ok for the last key thats not a high note....lol all of the keys i told you...A B C D E G and add G (lower) the high notes are the little key in the back above the thumb key... its called the regester key... you keep all your fingers down and add the regester key and you know high notes if i havent confused you then your doing pretty good!! well anyway... if you need me to clarify any of this you can e-mail me at butterflykrb6633@yahoo.com
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Author: karlie
Date: 2004-11-06 00:14
ok hey...
i play and ive been playing for like ever... i can help if you want me to....
first question: when you go to play the clarinet you have to make sure that your mouth is the right way... you have to have your bottom lip over top you your teeth...and the top is fine where it is... then you blow into it...when you get used to it it will sound as good as like a piano... evern better if you sound ok
second question: well i want to play the sax but i havent tried it yet i would love to know that myself...but to help a little... a friend of mine switched for clarinet to sax..and he is really getting good at it so i think it is really close....
third question: thats a really good question but why ask the sites when you have me??? lol ok...try to get this...
left hand on top...thumb on the thumb hole in the back...
ON THE FRONT
pointer finger: first hole...
middle finger: second hole...
ring finger: third hole...
~~!Hint!~~
recap... thumb will always be used... except when playing A
that means that when you have the thumb hole in it is a G
and when you play a G add your first finger and it becomes a E add your second and then it becomes a D add the third and it becomes a C... i know i forgot F if you play without any of your fingers on any of the keys... you get an F not the grade... ok... now on to the second part...
your right hand
the right hand goes on the bottom, again your first second and third finger go on the first second and third keys...
when you add them... with the 4 keys (C D E and G)
put the first finger down and then it becomes a B and the second added becomes a A the lower A the higher A is the little weird looking thing above the E key you just push that in and it make A nothing else jst that key ok for the last key thats not a high note....lol all of the keys i told you...A B C D E G and add G (lower) the high notes are the little key in the back above the thumb key... its called the regester key... you keep all your fingers down and add the regester key and you know high notes if i havent confused you then your doing pretty good!! well anyway... if you need me to clarify any of this you can e-mail me at butterflykrb6633@yahoo.com
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