What worked for me learning lip pressure is blowing up a balloon. You use a very light touch of the lips, just enough so the balloon doesn't fail to inflate. You can do the same on the clarinet by not allowing your teeth to touch any part of the mouthpiece. Try blowing a few notes like that, using the softest lip pressure you can without air escaping, or the note failing to play. You should feel the reed vibrating so much it tickles your bottom lip. This is GOOD. Using that minimal "balloon" lip pressure as something to compare to, now use a proper embouchure while still trying to use minimal lip pressure. Think of blowing up that balloon, but with your top teeth gently resting on the mouthpiece. The 2nd thing is making sure enough of the mouth piece is in your mouth to even play the high notes in the first place. Keeping all fingers off the keys, try to play the open C in the higher register. You aren't using the register key, you're using the fast air Michelle is talking about, and not touching anything else. If you can't get that high C to sound, put a little more mouthpiece into your mouth, and try again. Once you can get that high note to play with hands off, now add the register key and cover the thumb hole to go down a note, then start adding in the index, middle, ring, going lower with every note, then go back up until it's just the register key by itself again. If you start to drop notes out, hands off again and repeat until you play that high note with hands off. This will help train you to tell if you aren't using enough reed, or not enough air support.
I've watched a couple of your videos and I wanted to thank you for posting them. I am 35, and recently decided to get back to playing clarinet after a 17 year hiatus. I was fairly serious about clarinet when I was in high school, but didn't go beyond a semester in college. Your videos have been so helpful in getting me back up to speed and I look forward to getting through more of them! Thanks!
Hi Bruce - I'm glad you enjoy these videos. I've known many people who come back to clarinet after years away. I believe the body retains a great deal of knowledge on how to play, and after a couple of months you will be amazed at how much has come back to you. Good luck!
I use Vandoren V12's (and recommend them to most of my students). Sometimes I use 3 1/2+, and sometimes 4. I use a Lomax mouthpiece on my Bb and a Backun mouthpiece for everything else. My ligature is a Bonade inverted, although I have it on my list to actively play more since I have not done that for some time.
Thanks, Michelle. Love your videos. I'm a 63 year old trumpet player who's always admired my jazz playing clarinet friends. Always amazes me that anyone can play a horn that has so many more keys than I have fingers! Finally bought myself a clarinet and recognize a lot of my problems and what to do about them in your videos. I'm enjoying my vintage Conn 17 and learning here on TH-cam and from the Clarinet Player instruction books from the old Belwin Mills series I picked up at a used instrument and sheet music store.
Thank you Michelle. I have my first lesson this afternoon as a far too old adult. Nervously excited. Have managed to teach myself the first 6 notes. Struggling at the moment with middle C, that's my target for today. :)
Michelle, thanx for your efforts here. I'm a cross-country trucker, NY-CA, 60 yrs old and I started playing the Clarinet 18 months ago. I thought I was doing pretty good and ignored your caveat (I forget on which of your videos) about curling the fingers. I figured mine were curled enough. But when I cont'd to have high-note agita, remembering your exhortations, I began curling them a little more. Mamma Mia! What a difference a curl makes. High note problems are now low on my list. Danka schoen, dear, and God Bless You.
A truly wonderful teacher. The last time I received clarinet lesson was from my now deceased father, 40 years ago. The last time I played the clarinet was 25 years ago. Now I'm inspired to play again. Thank God we have youtube. Thank you very much. More power and more abundant blessing.
I started playing the clarinet and I got frustrated in high notes and didn't continue. I started again and enjoying it again. Everything you did today I encountered. Especially the thumb roll as I call it. I'm 60 and I'm going to conquer this. Too bad you weren't my teacher. Easy to understand and your pictures are clear. I'm a visual person. I'll practice the technique today. Thank you. I was amazed all I remembered from lessons. I'm following your steps now.
I started playing clarinet like three weeks ago and a senior asked me to try high notes ,I can't believe it actually worked!! thank you, Michelle! I'll keep trying!!
+MErRI Rin If you have good air support, and a good basic embouchure, high notes are not terribly difficult. Good for you for starting with good habits!
thank you i play the flute and just started playing the clarinet a few months ago most of the other players can play their high notes and they kind of rub it in everyone else's faces this was really helpful I had to back out from playing a song because I couldn't reach the high notes thank you so much you helped me out a whole bunch
So grateful for your videos Michelle - I am beginning on clarinet at age 60, husband is hiding in other room and asking how long will this take (until the sound is tolerable!). With your help I think it may be better sooner!
You're a very thorough teacher dealing with not only the physiology of making music but the psychology of it as well. The clamping up or the mental havoc created by the hard bits coming up is so plain to see in most instrument playing and it's more this rather than the lack of physical capabilities that causes the trouble. Good tips and good hints at what to look for as possible causes of certain weaknesses in our playing. Thanks very much for you guidance..
Just at the right time - I started the high register notes two weeks ago and I am going over the break this week- amazing timing as usual..... Thanks!!!!
Move people level off between 3/12 and 4. I would try the Vandoren 3 1/2+. It is in between 3 1/2 and 4. If they feel really resistant, and your tone is airy and fuzzy, they are too stiff. A clue that the 3 1/2's may be soft for you is that they might seem to wear out more quickly than usual, and your highest notes may feel a bit unsupported. I'm glad Vandoren introduced the "plus" size. Many people really like it. - Michelle
The same way you can speed up water from a hose by using a spray valve and focusing it into a narrower stream. (Imagine washing a car with a hose, and someone else comes along and turns down the faucet. You can still get force in the stream by adjusting it smaller.) A small amount of air can move really quickly. Check out the videos called: Clarinet Lesson: Improve your tone, and play more easily by activating your blowing muscles. Also: Improving clarinet tone using the "whisper technic"
Hallo Michelle, and so glad to have met you and found your videos. I started with the clarinet at 38, 20 years after I'd felt attracted to it (that's life) and I assure you it wasn't easy. Which is why your channel looks like a treasure to me. Be sure I will keep checking them regularly. I'd like to thank you for all the interest and effort you put into it. You've already helped me a lot.
The left thumb was the one that tripped me up... Thanks for that tip ;-) It's been 27 years since I had clarinet lessons, so I'm having to go back to the basics again.
Hi mam I have dreamed of playing clarinet since childhood but since I live in India, the instrument is not very common and I could not play. Now I'm in college and to realize my dream (without putting a lot of money- good clarinets cost pretty big here), I bought a 14 key clarinet (second hand I guess). Now I'm in trouble. I don't get how to play high notes since keys are different and after many hours of searching the net I accepted that there were no fingering charts for these. I just can't play the high notes no matter how hard I try. It came with a 3.5 reed and its my very first time with the instrument. I have been practicing and I think the lower notes are OK (I learned Indian Classical music for 13 years). Please help me. I think your videos are great. Thanks
gokul j I wonder if this fingering chart would match your clarinet: www.wfg.woodwind.org/clarinet/ocl_bas_1.html Give it a try. A 3.5 reed is normally a bit hard to play for a beginner, but if you blow with fast air, it will work. Cane reeds do wear out after a couple of weeks of playing. You may need to get a box of reeds, or to consider a Legere synthetic reed which lasts much longer, and won't be affected by heat and humidity as much as a cane reed.
Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Thank you so much mam. The chart matches the keys. I didn't realize it was a new system. But still I cannot play the B and C in clarion register...only air comes out. Again thanks so much for the charts. I'm watching all your videos for beginners
Check this video to make sure your keys are in proper adjustment - You keys are a bit different, but it will give you an idea of how to check things: th-cam.com/video/0aT2EmRCseo/w-d-xo.html
Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Thanks very much mam. but um..it still didnt make any difference..The high D also sounded too airy. maybe 3.5 is too strong for me. Again thanks so much for your time :)
Best lesson for playing above the break! Thx so much. Tough going smoothly from throat G to A to B natural and beyond. I think I need to keep working on on the elements you discuss.
It was my 6th grade year, and I knew notes existed above Bb, I simply couldent play them and didnt know how fingerings with the pinky keys worked on Clarinet. I watched this video, and after about an hour of practice, I landed a solid high C for the first time, and I was beyond excited. Now, in my 7th grade year, Im in our 8th grade band, and am in the Alabama All State Band (16/30 Chair, just had our concert yesterday.). Its so nastalgic coming back to this video lol. Thanks for kickstarting my Clarinet journey!
This was so helpful. I haven't played my clarinet in almost 30 years and I was struggling to get some of my notes. I knew my reed probably played a part in that so I went searching. I really appreciate your time
I love your videos. I played clarinet in high school and college, and now my 11-year-old has started playing. I've been watching your videos to get tips for teaching him, and they've been very helpful!
You're a great teacher! Your videos are so helpful! Thanks to you I have been able to get a better sound within quite a short time. It's so much fun. Thank you very much!
Hi Kit. The key is usually 2 part 1) ensure that your air is not stopping at all between notes. (Check out my video on how to tongue faster which describes stop-tonguing that allows you to blow continuously.) 2) ensure that while your tongue is moving around, it remains high in your mouth (as if you are saying "HEEE". I have a video entitled How To Play High Notes Part 2 that discusses this. Good luck! - Michelle
I was struggling to reach anything above a G5 (concert F5) and after this I'm reaching a C6 (Concert Bb5)! Huge thanks for the advice on not tensing up and using a stronger reed! I'm able to fly up from C5 to C6 now sometimes! (Ive learned about 6 other instruments so I did have some music knowledge previously but still huge thanks!)
Hi Michelle, thanks for the high notes lesson, I have just been playing for a year and was struggling with my top G but after seeing you videos it has definitely improved. Thanks again. Geoff
Thank you so much for this video. Started playing clarinet a couple a days ago and my high notes were not very satisfactory. After watching this my progress has really improved and my high notes are sounded better each time I play. Thank you
I remember in 6th grade when I was just starting, I wanted to move up from a level 2 reed, so I tried a level 3.5. I remember that I couldn’t even get close to making a sound, so I thought the reed was broken and got a new, level 2, reed set. 😂 I’m in 8th grade now, so I know that it was a WAY to high level for a beginner. I’m intermediate level now, and it’s a lot more fun to play fast, high note songs, so this video was very helpful! I’m trying to get better at playing Merry go Round of Life, which has a lot of high notes, so thanks! :3
An excellent video. I've been playing clarinet for a number of years. I find that there is always something new to learn. Thanks again for your video lessons. Steve.
Thx for the info about reed thickness and high notes. Now it makes sense. Thx a lot 😊 I like your way of teaching by showing us the many mistakes we re doing and how to fix the problem ❤
Thank you. This was a great help. I am going to look for your basic fingering video right now. I cannot get lessons now because of Covid, so your videos are an immense help. Thank you again.
Amazing! You certainly are one of the best music teachers I've ever seen, if not the best. (And I'm 53 and English is not my native language). Thank you !
In My Band Class We Just Entered The High Register And When I Play My High Notes It's Like My Lungs Are Like Uggggg On The High C And Now I Fixed It From This! Thanks Michelle! ~Carson Ringo~
I'm watching this video because I'm an honors band and I need help with my high notes because I have regionals and songs coming up that I need to work on the one I need and work on the most is land of a 1000 dances , I'll definitely like this video and watch part 2 and maybe three if there is one
Thank you very much! When I watched this 2 times when I was doing my clarinet, it helped me a lot! I am so happy that I found this video because it improved my high notes! Thank you and please make more videos cause always your videos are always helpful!
Ace video Michelle - having just watched this one and the previous video back to back, I'd say this one is slightly the better one, not just the audio quality but also the structure. I'm all set now for a 'high notes' oriented practice session.
you just saved me. it's the night before my band finals playing test and and couldn't play the high notes on the b flat major scale and you helped me get up there. now I just have to practice more. the problem was my Reed. I didn't think it was because sometimes if I slurred the notes I could get up there but I used a 4 Reed and now I can. before I was using a three and a half. now I can easily hit the high notes
I'm learning clarinet and trumpet and really want to get good before school starts again so I can be first chair in my clarinet section and be able to play quite well on trumpet. It's very challenging but I won't give up. I'm making a schedule of when I should practice on both instruments. So wish me luck! ❤️ Also thank you this video was super helpful.
I have been playing clarinet for about 3 years in my school’s concert band and this year I got a Christmas song that I we have to play called Christmas in Other Lands by Clarence E. Hurrell and the entire song is just high notes for Clarinet and it’s the hardest piece of music I have ever played and I have to learn it in 2 months 😅 but I’m pretty confident I can pull it off with enough practice 😁
Thank you so much Michelle. I have really enjoyed watching this video and really like your teaching method. In just this video I have spotted very old bad habits of mine. I shall sign up for your newsletter - you have a new pupil!
Christine Prowse I'm glad this helps. High notes are one of those things that can frustrate everyone at times, but there are good systems available to fix the problems.
Joni Riggs Hooray! It is always nice to have people feel motivated to practise. I find that when are are making noticeable improvements, it is easier to find energy to play. I hope she continues to enjoy it.
This has helped me very much when I will play C major scale. Even though I am 10 I am advanced in my class. I have played sawmill creek and attempted c major scale. I am always expected to be perfect. I might even be first chair for our annual concert. So thanks!
It sounds like you are really enjoying clarinet and making great progress! If you keep using good habits, you can advance very quickly on the clarinet. Good luck!
Im a begginer clarinet and I am also in this situation but I have a thing that I do that helps me. Ok so everyday you play easy songs but the you need to edit the notes into high notes for example hot cross buns I do this (High)F (High)E (High)D and so on. if you make a mistake redo the song to fix that mistake. play the songs that include low notes and edit the notes into high notes so you could get used to high notes and learn mistakes as you do this. I hope this will help you beginner clarinets. If it does not good luck! Also if you mastered your low notes easy song of choice on high notes get the notes higher to get more experience to even more high notes. -Fellow Clarinet Beginner Guy
+Karan M Sometimes one little thing can make things much easier. Once your thumb moves less, you will find that you move between notes much faster. Good luck with your clarinet!
Thanks so much! Wonderful information and examples, very specific, and very clearly presented as with all your videos I've seen. Your experience really shows and you provide so much useful advice and help.
Thank you for posting this, I am a beginner and was looking for some tips and found this video. I would also like some tips on how to keep a reed from splitting or fraying ( I am still getting the thin ones). Thank you again for this awesome video!
This was super helpful!! Thank you so much. I have a concert coming up in which I have a solo and there’s just one note that doesn’t come with as much ease. (It was the jaw clench)
Hello, Michelle! My name is Rodrigo. I had band class during one year (1997 - 1998) and that's when I started to learn playing the clarinet. I kept playing for some time after that, then stopped for while, and am trying to resume now (surprisingly, I still remember 95% of the fingering, although need to improve aspects such as the high notes - which is what brought me to this video, which I really enjoyed). There's a question I'd like to ask and I thought I'd leave it here since I wasn't sure where to send it through Clarinet Members Community: it's just that I really prefer playing any song sheet when I have the musical background (say, in a mp3) to play along with (of course, that may not be the best approach when exercising, but I really like it when I'm trying to record a song for sharing with my family and friends, or just to listen to myself later). So I thought I'd ask: do you know of websites where I could download song sheets together with musical background (preferably for free)?? Thank you so much for any help, and I'll be sure to follow your videos, as I really liked this one!
Hi Rodrigo, It seems like there should be a resource like this, but I don't know of one offhand. There are some good music books that have play-along recordings. Hal Leonard publishes many. Let's throw this question out to the TH-cam community and see if anyone has some good ideas.
I just started playing clarinet again after 35 plus years. You have made me fall in love with the clarinet again. I started with a 1-1/2 Reed it was too weak. Number 2 Reed also too weak. Number 3 Reed I think is too strong or I need to build the muscles in my mouth and lips. How do I know when it's time to use a stronger Reed? How do I know if the Reed is too strong? Thank you, you are a great teacher.
Starting my register key training this week. I will try the faster air before buying a 2-2.5 reed (I think mine is now 1.5). I didn't have issue with lower key plus register key (E - B, F - C, G - D, but started getting issue when getting to high G. It worked a lot of times, but not consistently.
+winanci Faster air will definitely help make those high notes more consistent. By the time you are playing those high G's on top of the staff, a stronger reed really can help as well.
Hi, ur video was amazing !! But...i got some questions wanna to ask you Im in a middle school band I use clarinet But i cant blow high notes.... Sometimes can sometimes cannot....
I have recently started playing again, I have no issues getting some notes in the Clarion register, such as F or G, but I have issues getting B and C which are lower! No sound comes out, not even a significant undertone. My Clarinet has recently been serviced, so I know it is nothing with that. I am using Vandoren 2 1/2 - 3 strength reeds. My F and G sound clear and strong, and once the C sound does appear, it sounds clear, it is just delayed.
I think what you are going through is the "break" and it is hard for begginers (and maybe intermediates) to get through the break. Just keep practicing and youll get it
Chloe Crawford Just to add to what Jay wrote, "crossing the break" is tricky. I am guessing that your ring finger may not quite be covering that bottom hole when you reach for the pinky keys. This is really common. Looking in a mirror may help you make the corrections you need. This video may help give you some ideas: th-cam.com/video/85oHSM1LcFI/w-d-xo.html.
What worked for me learning lip pressure is blowing up a balloon. You use a very light touch of the lips, just enough so the balloon doesn't fail to inflate. You can do the same on the clarinet by not allowing your teeth to touch any part of the mouthpiece. Try blowing a few notes like that, using the softest lip pressure you can without air escaping, or the note failing to play. You should feel the reed vibrating so much it tickles your bottom lip. This is GOOD. Using that minimal "balloon" lip pressure as something to compare to, now use a proper embouchure while still trying to use minimal lip pressure. Think of blowing up that balloon, but with your top teeth gently resting on the mouthpiece.
The 2nd thing is making sure enough of the mouth piece is in your mouth to even play the high notes in the first place. Keeping all fingers off the keys, try to play the open C in the higher register. You aren't using the register key, you're using the fast air Michelle is talking about, and not touching anything else. If you can't get that high C to sound, put a little more mouthpiece into your mouth, and try again. Once you can get that high note to play with hands off, now add the register key and cover the thumb hole to go down a note, then start adding in the index, middle, ring, going lower with every note, then go back up until it's just the register key by itself again. If you start to drop notes out, hands off again and repeat until you play that high note with hands off. This will help train you to tell if you aren't using enough reed, or not enough air support.
I've watched a couple of your videos and I wanted to thank you for posting them. I am 35, and recently decided to get back to playing clarinet after a 17 year hiatus. I was fairly serious about clarinet when I was in high school, but didn't go beyond a semester in college. Your videos have been so helpful in getting me back up to speed and I look forward to getting through more of them! Thanks!
Hi Bruce - I'm glad you enjoy these videos. I've known many people who come back to clarinet after years away. I believe the body retains a great deal of knowledge on how to play, and after a couple of months you will be amazed at how much has come back to you. Good luck!
I use Vandoren V12's (and recommend them to most of my students). Sometimes I use 3 1/2+, and sometimes 4. I use a Lomax mouthpiece on my Bb and a Backun mouthpiece for everything else. My ligature is a Bonade inverted, although I have it on my list to actively play more since I have not done that for some time.
Thanks, Michelle. Love your videos. I'm a 63 year old trumpet player who's always admired my jazz playing clarinet friends. Always amazes me that anyone can play a horn that has so many more keys than I have fingers! Finally bought myself a clarinet and recognize a lot of my problems and what to do about them in your videos. I'm enjoying my vintage Conn 17 and learning here on TH-cam and from the Clarinet Player instruction books from the old Belwin Mills series I picked up at a used instrument and sheet music store.
Best clarinet teaching videos I've ever seen! Thanks.
Richard Ingalls Thanks for the kind words Richard! You just made my day...
she is such a great teacher
Ikr
@@abigayleamazingYT
Ikr
Thank you Michelle. I have my first lesson this afternoon as a far too old adult. Nervously excited. Have managed to teach myself the first 6 notes. Struggling at the moment with middle C, that's my target for today. :)
Michelle, thanx for your efforts here. I'm a cross-country trucker, NY-CA, 60 yrs old and I started playing the Clarinet 18 months ago. I thought I was doing pretty good and ignored your caveat (I forget on which of your videos) about curling the fingers. I figured mine were curled enough. But when I cont'd to have high-note agita, remembering your exhortations, I began curling them a little more. Mamma Mia! What a difference a curl makes. High note problems are now low on my list. Danka schoen, dear, and God Bless You.
A truly wonderful teacher. The last time I received clarinet lesson was from my now deceased father, 40 years ago. The last time I played the clarinet was 25 years ago. Now I'm inspired to play again. Thank God we have youtube. Thank you very much. More power and more abundant blessing.
Romela Diño Welcome back to the clarinet! I hope your really enjoy it. You will probably be surprised at how quickly your skills return.
I started playing the clarinet and I got frustrated in high notes and didn't continue. I started again and enjoying it again. Everything you did today I encountered. Especially the thumb roll as I call it. I'm 60 and I'm going to conquer this. Too bad you weren't my teacher. Easy to understand and your pictures are clear. I'm a visual person. I'll practice the technique today. Thank you. I was amazed all I remembered from lessons. I'm following your steps now.
I started playing clarinet like three weeks ago and a senior asked me to try high notes ,I can't believe it actually worked!! thank you, Michelle! I'll keep trying!!
+MErRI Rin If you have good air support, and a good basic embouchure, high notes are not terribly difficult. Good for you for starting with good habits!
thank you i play the flute and just started playing the clarinet a few months ago most of the other players can play their high notes and they kind of rub it in everyone else's faces this was really helpful I had to back out from playing a song because I couldn't reach the high notes thank you so much you helped me out a whole bunch
Xiomari Jimenez Well, it's not really rubbing it in if they have practiced or have played clarinet in the past.
Thanks a lot. it helped my self teaching clarinet here in Swazi to pursue the dream to make the first orchestra in this country..
Wow! I just changed to a #3 Reed and hit high G....That's High G, 4 ledger lines up for the first time in my life. Thank you.
@CaliGirlz GillClan lol
So grateful for your videos Michelle - I am beginning on clarinet at age 60, husband is hiding in other room and asking how long will this take (until the sound is tolerable!). With your help I think it may be better sooner!
Thank you so much! I was having a ton of trouble playing my high notes, but now it's getting better, thanks!
You're a very thorough teacher dealing with not only the physiology of making music but the psychology of it as well. The clamping up or the mental havoc created by the hard bits coming up is so plain to see in most instrument playing and it's more this rather than the lack of physical capabilities that causes the trouble. Good tips and good hints at what to look for as possible causes of certain weaknesses in our playing. Thanks very much for you guidance..
Just at the right time - I started the high register notes two weeks ago and I am going over the break this week- amazing timing as usual..... Thanks!!!!
Move people level off between 3/12 and 4. I would try the Vandoren 3 1/2+. It is in between 3 1/2 and 4. If they feel really resistant, and your tone is airy and fuzzy, they are too stiff. A clue that the 3 1/2's may be soft for you is that they might seem to wear out more quickly than usual, and your highest notes may feel a bit unsupported. I'm glad Vandoren introduced the "plus" size. Many people really like it. - Michelle
Hi, i'm 52 and start to learn playing clarinet, its a life dream. your explains are so clearly and concise, thanks and God bless you.
The same way you can speed up water from a hose by using a spray valve and focusing it into a narrower stream. (Imagine washing a car with a hose, and someone else comes along and turns down the faucet. You can still get force in the stream by adjusting it smaller.) A small amount of air can move really quickly. Check out the videos called: Clarinet Lesson: Improve your tone, and play more easily by activating your blowing muscles. Also: Improving clarinet tone using the "whisper technic"
This helped me so much! I haven’t been able to play any high notes for so long and now I can actually play some notes!
Thank you! I send my students into the hallway with this video and it helps every time. You're amazing!
I've learned more in the last few days watching your videos than I could have even imagined, thank you so much for these videos!
Thank you! This helped my son improve. He was so frustrated he couldn’t get it. Those few tips helped him so much!
Hallo Michelle, and so glad to have met you and found your videos. I started with the clarinet at 38, 20 years after I'd felt attracted to it (that's life) and I assure you it wasn't easy. Which is why your channel looks like a treasure to me. Be sure I will keep checking them regularly. I'd like to thank you for all the interest and effort you put into it. You've already helped me a lot.
Thanks for the kind words!
The left thumb was the one that tripped me up... Thanks for that tip ;-) It's been 27 years since I had clarinet lessons, so I'm having to go back to the basics again.
Hi mam
I have dreamed of playing clarinet since childhood but since I live in India, the instrument is not very common and I could not play. Now I'm in college and to realize my dream (without putting a lot of money- good clarinets cost pretty big here), I bought a 14 key clarinet (second hand I guess). Now I'm in trouble. I don't get how to play high notes since keys are different and after many hours of searching the net I accepted that there were no fingering charts for these. I just can't play the high notes no matter how hard I try. It came with a 3.5 reed and its my very first time with the instrument. I have been practicing and I think the lower notes are OK (I learned Indian Classical music for 13 years). Please help me. I think your videos are great. Thanks
gokul j I wonder if this fingering chart would match your clarinet: www.wfg.woodwind.org/clarinet/ocl_bas_1.html Give it a try. A 3.5 reed is normally a bit hard to play for a beginner, but if you blow with fast air, it will work. Cane reeds do wear out after a couple of weeks of playing. You may need to get a box of reeds, or to consider a Legere synthetic reed which lasts much longer, and won't be affected by heat and humidity as much as a cane reed.
Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Thank you so much mam. The chart matches the keys. I didn't realize it was a new system. But still I cannot play the B and C in clarion register...only air comes out. Again thanks so much for the charts. I'm watching all your videos for beginners
Check this video to make sure your keys are in proper adjustment - You keys are a bit different, but it will give you an idea of how to check things: th-cam.com/video/0aT2EmRCseo/w-d-xo.html
Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Thanks very much mam. but um..it still didnt make any difference..The high D also sounded too airy. maybe 3.5 is too strong for me. Again thanks so much for your time :)
best of luck, man.
Best lesson for playing above the break! Thx so much. Tough going smoothly from throat G to A to B natural and beyond. I think I need to keep working on on the elements you discuss.
It was my 6th grade year, and I knew notes existed above Bb, I simply couldent play them and didnt know how fingerings with the pinky keys worked on Clarinet. I watched this video, and after about an hour of practice, I landed a solid high C for the first time, and I was beyond excited. Now, in my 7th grade year, Im in our 8th grade band, and am in the Alabama All State Band (16/30 Chair, just had our concert yesterday.). Its so nastalgic coming back to this video lol. Thanks for kickstarting my Clarinet journey!
This was so helpful. I haven't played my clarinet in almost 30 years and I was struggling to get some of my notes. I knew my reed probably played a part in that so I went searching. I really appreciate your time
I love your videos. I played clarinet in high school and college, and now my 11-year-old has started playing. I've been watching your videos to get tips for teaching him, and they've been very helpful!
+Jennifer Garst Thanks for the kind words. I hope he enjoys the clarinet!
Wow great!! As I watch your video, my high notes suddenly came out! Thanks a lot
You're a great teacher! Your videos are so helpful! Thanks to you I have been able to get a better sound within quite a short time. It's so much fun. Thank you very much!
Thanks! I'm glad these videos are helpful to you.
Thank you!! Easy to understand, clear and not patronizing. I'm 44 in June and a very proud beginner
Thank you for posting this video. It helps a lot of new clarinet players, such as myself.
Hi Kit. The key is usually 2 part 1) ensure that your air is not stopping at all between notes. (Check out my video on how to tongue faster which describes stop-tonguing that allows you to blow continuously.) 2) ensure that while your tongue is moving around, it remains high in your mouth (as if you are saying "HEEE". I have a video entitled How To Play High Notes Part 2 that discusses this. Good luck! - Michelle
I was struggling to reach anything above a G5 (concert F5) and after this I'm reaching a C6 (Concert Bb5)! Huge thanks for the advice on not tensing up and using a stronger reed! I'm able to fly up from C5 to C6 now sometimes! (Ive learned about 6 other instruments so I did have some music knowledge previously but still huge thanks!)
Hi Michelle, thanks for the high notes lesson, I have just been playing for a year and was struggling with my top G but after seeing you videos it has definitely improved. Thanks again. Geoff
HI Geoff, I'm glad things are improving!
Thank you so much for this video. Started playing clarinet a couple a days ago and my high notes were not very satisfactory.
After watching this my progress has really improved and my high notes are sounded better each time I play.
Thank you
Thanks Steve. I'm glad you enjoy it. - Michelle
I remember in 6th grade when I was just starting, I wanted to move up from a level 2 reed, so I tried a level 3.5. I remember that I couldn’t even get close to making a sound, so I thought the reed was broken and got a new, level 2, reed set. 😂 I’m in 8th grade now, so I know that it was a WAY to high level for a beginner. I’m intermediate level now, and it’s a lot more fun to play fast, high note songs, so this video was very helpful! I’m trying to get better at playing Merry go Round of Life, which has a lot of high notes, so thanks! :3
An excellent video. I've been playing clarinet for a number of years. I find that there is always something new
to learn. Thanks again for your video lessons. Steve.
Thx for the info about reed thickness and high notes. Now it makes sense. Thx a lot 😊
I like your way of teaching by showing us the many mistakes we re doing and how to fix the problem ❤
bro this helped so much, i've struggled for so long with high notes but this made so much sense!
Thank you. This was a great help. I am going to look for your basic fingering video right now. I cannot get lessons now because of Covid, so your videos are an immense help. Thank you again.
Thank you a lot! I have been very stressed about playing this and going to high notes, thank you!
Amazing! You certainly are one of the best music teachers I've ever seen, if not the best. (And I'm 53 and English is not my native language). Thank you !
Thanks for the kind words!
In My Band Class We Just Entered The High Register And When I Play My High Notes It's Like My Lungs Are Like Uggggg On The High C And Now I Fixed It From This! Thanks Michelle! ~Carson Ringo~
I'm watching this video because I'm an honors band and I need help with my high notes because I have regionals and songs coming up that I need to work on the one I need and work on the most is land of a 1000 dances , I'll definitely like this video and watch part 2 and maybe three if there is one
Very nice. Clear and useful information. Reed strength is overlooked so often. It is extremely important in the altissimo register on saxophone too.
Truly excellent teaching, thank you. How I wish there was a comparable series of TH-cam videos, with your level of instruction, for the saxophone!
Thank you very much! When I watched this 2 times when I was doing my clarinet, it helped me a lot! I am so happy that I found this video because it improved my high notes! Thank you and please make more videos cause always your videos are always helpful!
wow, good info. I am new to clarinet and now have a good Idea of what to check on when problems occur.
Ace video Michelle - having just watched this one and the previous video back to back, I'd say this one is slightly the better one, not just the audio quality but also the structure. I'm all set now for a 'high notes' oriented practice session.
Oh my gosh I finnaly was able to play the high notes on my clarinet thank you so much your amazing!!!!!!!👯 😆
I just got a new clarinet for 6th grade yesterday I'm so excited!!!!
Thank you so much for the great advice! You're a great teacher, please continue!
This is better than all the other videos I've watched so that I can improve my clarinet skills 😎😅
you just saved me. it's the night before my band finals playing test and and couldn't play the high notes on the b flat major scale and you helped me get up there. now I just have to practice more. the problem was my Reed. I didn't think it was because sometimes if I slurred the notes I could get up there but I used a 4 Reed and now I can. before I was using a three and a half. now I can easily hit the high notes
+Joseph Samsor I'm glad this helped. The correct reed strength makes a big difference. I hope all went well on the band test.
+Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) yes I got a 47 out of 50. thanks
I'm learning clarinet and trumpet and really want to get good before school starts again so I can be first chair in my clarinet section and be able to play quite well on trumpet. It's very challenging but I won't give up. I'm making a schedule of when I should practice on both instruments. So wish me luck! ❤️ Also thank you this video was super helpful.
You've nailed it PRECISELY my problem...especially how to move your left thumb on the register key...I am a beginner...appreciate it.
Love your videos. Very helpful. Had a difficult week getting back playing. Hitting Cs and Bs in the upper register now.
I have been playing clarinet for about 3 years in my school’s concert band and this year I got a Christmas song that I we have to play called Christmas in Other Lands by Clarence E. Hurrell and the entire song is just high notes for Clarinet and it’s the hardest piece of music I have ever played and I have to learn it in 2 months 😅 but I’m pretty confident I can pull it off with enough practice 😁
Thank you for all of these helpful tips. Very informative.
Great teaching here, Michelle. Thanks for these videos!
Thank you so much Michelle. I have really enjoyed watching this video and really like your teaching method. In just this video I have spotted very old bad habits of mine. I shall sign up for your newsletter - you have a new pupil!
Thanks Philip. I hope you pick up some good pointers in the future as well!
Thank you SO much Michelle. You have been a great help....slow and clear and calm. I will watch your other videos. CP.
Christine Prowse I'm glad this helps. High notes are one of those things that can frustrate everyone at times, but there are good systems available to fix the problems.
The red alert advice really helping. Thanks Michelle!
This was extremely helpful. Thank You So much. My 13 yr old daughter feels excited to practice.
Joni Riggs Hooray! It is always nice to have people feel motivated to practise. I find that when are are making noticeable improvements, it is easier to find energy to play. I hope she continues to enjoy it.
You've explained exactly the problems I've been having!!!! Thank you so much!
This has helped me very much when I will play C major scale. Even though I am 10 I am advanced in my class. I have played sawmill creek and attempted c major scale. I am always expected to be perfect. I might even be first chair for our annual concert. So thanks!
It sounds like you are really enjoying clarinet and making great progress! If you keep using good habits, you can advance very quickly on the clarinet. Good luck!
thanks!
Im a begginer clarinet and I am also in this situation but I have a thing that I do that helps me. Ok so everyday you play easy songs but the you need to edit the notes into high notes for example hot cross buns I do this (High)F (High)E (High)D and so on. if you make a mistake redo the song to fix that mistake. play the songs that include low notes and edit the notes into high notes so you could get used to high notes and learn mistakes as you do this. I hope this will help you beginner clarinets. If it does not good luck! Also if you mastered your low notes easy song of choice on high notes get the notes higher to get more experience to even more high notes.
-Fellow Clarinet Beginner Guy
Thanks Michele, for this one, I'm having this occurance as you speak, but I'm learning just what you are suggesting. Brian
wow. this is very helpful. im pretty good at the upper register, but some notes don't want to come out. i will definitely use these tips.
This was the best! The only thing I had wrong was playing hitting the high register too much with my thumb! THANKS !
+Karan M Sometimes one little thing can make things much easier. Once your thumb moves less, you will find that you move between notes much faster. Good luck with your clarinet!
Hi Michelle, great videos! Very helpful indeed!
+nothingisordinary I am glad this is helpful to you!
Thanks so much! Wonderful information and examples, very specific, and very clearly presented as with all your videos I've seen. Your experience really shows and you provide so much useful advice and help.
Your videos are very helpful! Love your channel!
Thank you so much I am in 8 th grade and I'm just now starting band this makes it so much easier I love u
I'm glad this helps! Good luck with your clarinet this year.
Thanks for the videos,I honestly improved so much with the help!!!
Excellent ideas and helpful concepts. Thank you, Michelle.
Thank you so much! Its way much easier now to play high notes than before.
Thank you for posting this, I am a beginner and was looking for some tips and found this video. I would also like some tips on how to keep a reed from splitting or fraying ( I am still getting the thin ones). Thank you again for this awesome video!
This was super helpful!! Thank you so much. I have a concert coming up in which I have a solo and there’s just one note that doesn’t come with as much ease. (It was the jaw clench)
Real good information and instruktion. Thanks! It's been an eyeopener... from a grown beginners perspective!!!
Thanks for the kind words. There are many "grown beginners" who are doing amazing things with their clarinets. I hope you are enjoying yours.
This was very good for those high note. Practice does make them better.
Wow, i can play the D,E,F,G in the altissimo register verry easy. Amazing.
Everything you say is like exactly what I do!! Thank you this really helped me with my clarinet. Definitely subscribing
Hi Pari. I'm glad this helped. High notes can be much easier once a few basic things are working for you! Good luck with your clarinet.
Ive been diagnosed with “wimpy air” 😩
Thanks for your videos you have really helped me be in tune because I used to be super flat thanks so much
Hello, Michelle! My name is Rodrigo. I had band class during one year (1997 - 1998) and that's when I started to learn playing the clarinet. I kept playing for some time after that, then stopped for while, and am trying to resume now (surprisingly, I still remember 95% of the fingering, although need to improve aspects such as the high notes - which is what brought me to this video, which I really enjoyed). There's a question I'd like to ask and I thought I'd leave it here since I wasn't sure where to send it through Clarinet Members Community: it's just that I really prefer playing any song sheet when I have the musical background (say, in a mp3) to play along with (of course, that may not be the best approach when exercising, but I really like it when I'm trying to record a song for sharing with my family and friends, or just to listen to myself later). So I thought I'd ask: do you know of websites where I could download song sheets together with musical background (preferably for free)?? Thank you so much for any help, and I'll be sure to follow your videos, as I really liked this one!
Hi Rodrigo, It seems like there should be a resource like this, but I don't know of one offhand. There are some good music books that have play-along recordings. Hal Leonard publishes many. Let's throw this question out to the TH-cam community and see if anyone has some good ideas.
I just started playing clarinet again after 35 plus years. You have made me fall in love with the clarinet again. I started with a 1-1/2 Reed it was too weak. Number 2 Reed also too weak. Number 3 Reed I think is too strong or I need to build the muscles in my mouth and lips. How do I know when it's time to use a stronger Reed? How do I know if the Reed is too strong? Thank you, you are a great teacher.
usually a 2 1/2 reed is what is used for an average clarinet. But I am not an expert
Try 2 1/2. Over time you will be able to easily play a 3.
Starting my register key training this week. I will try the faster air before buying a 2-2.5 reed (I think mine is now 1.5). I didn't have issue with lower key plus register key (E - B, F - C, G - D, but started getting issue when getting to high G. It worked a lot of times, but not consistently.
+winanci Faster air will definitely help make those high notes more consistent. By the time you are playing those high G's on top of the staff, a stronger reed really can help as well.
Another great video! Thank you, Michelle!
Hi, ur video was amazing !!
But...i got some questions wanna to ask you
Im in a middle school band
I use clarinet
But i cant blow high notes....
Sometimes can sometimes cannot....
Только начал учиться играть на кларнете. Важные тонкости игры. 👍😊👍
Hi Michelle my daughter plays clarinet and benefits a lot from your videos.
+Mike Fuller I'm glad they help. Often just a few pointers make it much easier to play. I hope that she is enjoying her clarinet.
thank you for the clarinet note lesson michele
I have recently started playing again, I have no issues getting some notes in the Clarion register, such as F or G, but I have issues getting B and C which are lower! No sound comes out, not even a significant undertone. My Clarinet has recently been serviced, so I know it is nothing with that. I am using Vandoren 2 1/2 - 3 strength reeds. My F and G sound clear and strong, and once the C sound does appear, it sounds clear, it is just delayed.
I think what you are going through is the "break" and it is hard for begginers (and maybe intermediates) to get through the break. Just keep practicing and youll get it
Strengthened my reed, made a minor adjustment to my embouchre and it is a little better. The rest is as you say, practice!
Chloe Crawford Just to add to what Jay wrote, "crossing the break" is tricky. I am guessing that your ring finger may not quite be covering that bottom hole when you reach for the pinky keys. This is really common. Looking in a mirror may help you make the corrections you need. This video may help give you some ideas: th-cam.com/video/85oHSM1LcFI/w-d-xo.html.