tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.comments2023-10-08T06:05:06.384-04:00Clarinet Talk from MiamiDr Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05813478442191326490noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-14648844943330384562014-08-13T05:34:32.288-04:002014-08-13T05:34:32.288-04:00Thanks so much for this, this has just been so use...Thanks so much for this, this has just been so useful for me. I really wanted to develop my altissimo but I honestly couldn't find anything on the internet that would help, but this is fantastic! Serviced Apartments Ladyhttp://www.thearmitage.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-80587826843115856772014-06-10T12:11:38.750-04:002014-06-10T12:11:38.750-04:00Hi @anonymous - sorry for the slow (understatement...Hi @anonymous - sorry for the slow (understatement!) reply! So slow in fact, you have probably figured out the problem already :) Here are some thoughts: this is likely a problem with tongue placement throughout all ranges but shows up in particular in the upper clarion which is a very sensitive area. Try experimenting with where on the reed you place your tongue while articulating. A slight shift (slightly down from the tip, slightly closer to the tip, etc) can produce significant results. Also check the 'arch' in the back of your tongue; make sure the air is spinning into the mouthpiece across a good arch. Also try for a lighter touch with the tongue; think about interrupting the air not stopping it entirely. In terms of embouchure direction of jaw pressure plays a big role in causing this 'clunkiness'. Experiment a bit with slight (Slight!!) changes in direction of the jaw pressure, so in other words try directing a but more towards the barrel, a bit more straight on, (rarely need to adjust it to point further up but you never know). Without seeing your embouchure (and sometimes even when you can) its impossible to know which to suggest - trial and error it is! Good luck - keep me posted!Dr Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05813478442191326490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-21801373670488692482014-06-10T11:58:14.889-04:002014-06-10T11:58:14.889-04:00This is great!This is great!Dr Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05813478442191326490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-45612045149422783802013-10-15T13:18:47.322-04:002013-10-15T13:18:47.322-04:00Hi,
I have a problem with a very specific set of ...Hi, <br />I have a problem with a very specific set of notes (particularly clarion A to clarion high C, and then less so with the altissimo register), in that these notes always have a "clunky" start when tonguing but are fine once they get going. I'm sure it's embouchure, but I have tried many things without success. The "clunk" is like a momentary dead spot, almost like a soft tapping. Any thoughts / recommendations for this? Sorry I can't be more descriptive. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-11884308210554588812013-02-06T22:09:36.065-05:002013-02-06T22:09:36.065-05:00In addition, I have my students use a sequential s...In addition, I have my students use a sequential set of “g-squeak" exercises that directly deal with voicing. In super-short, squeak on an open g. If needed, regain a good embouchure and focus good, fast air to achieve a strong sounding altissimo d. I also have them achieve the d by playing high clarion c and letting go to open d. They then are required to master switching between g and g-squeaked (with a good strong sound). After being able to readily play between the two notes, I have them practice repeated articulation patterns on the squeak and moving down to clarion c and onto fingered altissimo d. The are more exercises to help extend the range, but these beginning explorations help my students become aware of voicing for the altissimo, correct tongue placement for articulation up there as well as getting rid of subtones.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-46961628003462642962013-01-03T19:18:51.752-05:002013-01-03T19:18:51.752-05:00Anonymous - THANK YOU! I am so glad that this help...Anonymous - THANK YOU! I am so glad that this helped!Dr Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05813478442191326490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-49459494835047308812012-02-04T17:24:31.972-05:002012-02-04T17:24:31.972-05:00Oh my goodness. You have helped me so much!Oh my goodness. You have helped me so much!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-83923649757015912132011-12-23T18:29:15.048-05:002011-12-23T18:29:15.048-05:00Wesley - I like it! The sound up there in that ran...Wesley - I like it! The sound up there in that range could certainly work in the context you describe. I like the idea of playing tunes on that 'squeal' you mentioned :) that's actually a great way to develop flexibility!Dr Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05813478442191326490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-53740255841419190302011-12-13T04:38:54.420-05:002011-12-13T04:38:54.420-05:00I've been trying to work out the altissimo reg...I've been trying to work out the altissimo register for a while - things like what fingering gives what pitch, whether it's embouchure or fingering or both, and the like. When I picked up the clarinet a couple of years ago, the squeal was one of the first sounds I produced, and then I discovered I could play tunes with it :)<br /><br />But I'm hoping to write something suitably discordant in altissmo for a piece I'm writing on the relatively recent Chch NZ earthquakes. I've got the main discordant voice worked out - that's a blues harp with the notes bending in the upper registers, with a trombone playing disconsolate chromatic pedals way below - I just need the shrieking, screaming clarinet to play between the blues harp discords ... (How many people would use the clarinet for such a purpose? It's not the way it's taught, is it? Clearly not a "legitimate" player! :)<br /><br />Wesley ParishAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-30591121750175588232011-06-04T16:13:36.881-04:002011-06-04T16:13:36.881-04:00Interesting post. Well when there is so much a new...Interesting post. Well when there is so much a new. Thanks.college boardhttp://www.collegeboard.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-80945302999760025292011-04-29T10:21:22.216-04:002011-04-29T10:21:22.216-04:00great article again. Thanks.
what is your suggest...great article again. Thanks.<br /><br />what is your suggestion for playing an A arpeggio to alt A? I find that pretty tough, having the same fingering for E and A makes it hard.Daniel McBreartyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08945913430418585052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-8265171015343372822011-04-29T09:57:03.913-04:002011-04-29T09:57:03.913-04:00excellent article Dr D. Returning to serious clari...excellent article Dr D. Returning to serious clarinet shedding after many years concentrating on sax, and it is very nice to get these issues ironed out. Really enjoying the clarinet these days. Thank you.Daniel McBreartyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08945913430418585052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-49369537674309189872011-04-21T10:53:31.428-04:002011-04-21T10:53:31.428-04:00Anon - I'm assuming you are referring to the h...Anon - I'm assuming you are referring to the half-hole technique - you're right, it does work wonders! I re-read this article and the one re altissimo in general and realized I didn't talk about half-holing. What an oversight! If you are the same anon who caught my Ab/Eb typo you are keeping me on my toes - thanks! An article re half-hole technique, coming up!Dr Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05813478442191326490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-7547381915484391592011-04-21T10:48:11.325-04:002011-04-21T10:48:11.325-04:00Anon--YES! Thank you, that should certainly say Ab...Anon--YES! Thank you, that should certainly say Ab/Eb!! Thanks for catching...<br /><br />And as I read these comments I realize I never posted an article re articulation in the altissimo - coming soon!!Dr Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05813478442191326490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-30137098212179750132011-04-11T17:42:35.987-04:002011-04-11T17:42:35.987-04:00Hi
You mention applying the pinky A flat/B flat ke...Hi<br />You mention applying the pinky A flat/B flat key on notes other than C#<br />Should that read A flat/E flat ?<br /><br />ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-60102590883302031452011-03-09T23:33:39.207-05:002011-03-09T23:33:39.207-05:00Have thought about covering the bottom half of Lh ...Have thought about covering the bottom half of Lh 1 when playing f or e? It works wonders for my Leblanc Concerto.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-61674308956080815182011-01-25T09:38:57.783-05:002011-01-25T09:38:57.783-05:00Thanks for the comment, Alexander! You ask a great...Thanks for the comment, Alexander! You ask a great question. Articulation in the altissimo - a great blog topic! Too big a topic for a comment ~~ give me a couple days and I'll post an article on that topic by the weekend. Thanks for visiting my blog!Dr Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05813478442191326490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-4078285206902103602011-01-24T13:54:31.500-05:002011-01-24T13:54:31.500-05:00These exercises have definitely helped my altissim...These exercises have definitely helped my altissimo tone. I am not biting with my jaw as much anymore. But could you please discuss articulation in this register. My tongue is high. Throat, neck, chest, shoulders relaxed. But my tonguing, especially once I get above altissimo C# is unsatisfactory.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06314228871148269209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-89722423131386615732010-10-23T21:47:09.677-04:002010-10-23T21:47:09.677-04:00Thanks, Arnold and welcome! Since I'm 5 months...Thanks, Arnold and welcome! Since I'm 5 months late answering your comment its probably clear I have been away from my blog for a while. I will be much more active now so I hope you'll check back often!Dr Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05813478442191326490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-16382252876322714122010-03-18T22:57:08.085-04:002010-03-18T22:57:08.085-04:00tytytytyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-57274241081557054662010-03-16T18:30:07.006-04:002010-03-16T18:30:07.006-04:00Dr. D - This is excellent advice, especially conce...Dr. D - This is excellent advice, especially concerning the strenuous breathing exercises, Thank you so much, I really appreciate this help. I did have a question however: When I play pieces with little time to rest, I find myself having to skip notes to catch my breath. Would my tonguing have an influence on my shortness breath? Besides that, I thank you for your great exercises and tips!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-35299935099201287412009-11-12T16:40:17.431-05:002009-11-12T16:40:17.431-05:00Beth - I agree! It is so stable you can be as soft...Beth - I agree! It is so stable you can be as soft as you want to be. You can even safely enter pp with that fingering and feel confident. Same with the long (or covered) F#.Dr Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05813478442191326490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-22737499330122842422009-11-12T16:35:27.100-05:002009-11-12T16:35:27.100-05:00Megan M - Absolutely! Its just hard to put into pr...Megan M - Absolutely! Its just hard to put into practice sometimes! :)<br /><br />Megan G - No problem! I will put something together for you and post it in the next day or two.Dr Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05813478442191326490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-33265388775390331852009-11-11T18:58:14.762-05:002009-11-11T18:58:14.762-05:00I appreciate your advice about a practice routine....I appreciate your advice about a practice routine. I haven't played regularly since college, about four years ago. I would love to start playing again, but I don't know how best to recover my lost skills. My embouchure is shot all to pieces, my tongueing is terrible, and let's not even start on my tone! <br /><br />I'm really busy and I can't afford to take lessons right now, so ideally I need a practice routine that I can do for 30 minutes to an hour a day to start off. I have no idea where to begin because so many things need work. Any ideas?Megan Geryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05855422324274323027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4796078022935900467.post-90890022164180829862009-11-09T00:28:30.837-05:002009-11-09T00:28:30.837-05:00My college band director suggested what he calls t...My college band director suggested what he calls the "closed" F fingering, or what you call the "long" F fingering. I've got a solo in a piece we're playing, and it's supposed to be played as soft as possible without getting any undertones. That fingering absolutely ROCKS my world!Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10463215773393092523noreply@blogger.com