I’m SO glad I found your channel! I’m a second year clarinetist and I’ve been struggling with my higher notes. Thanks for the tips, automatic sub for me!!
Good question! Dynamics are tricky, and they are tied to the air. It is important to know that there are several different variables to the air. The one that controls dynamics is the volume of air or how wide the air stream is. The bigger the air stream the more it will push the reed away from the mouthpiece and the dynamic will increase. The variable that makes the sound good is the energy of the air and consistency of the flow. To play soft you need a narrower stream of air, but to compensate for having less energy because less air is moving, it needs to be faster. Luckily, making the air stream more narrow will naturally make it faster. P.S. Be carful about trying to play too soft. I found most young and intermediate players generally play too soft. Develop a big rich full sound and then maintain that as you get softer, and don't go softer (or louder) than you can with a good sound.
hello! I enjoyed the lesson and just subbed. I self taught when I was in medical school and had trouble with notes above the treble clef. This was about 20 years ago and I am just learning again. How much would a different reed rating would affect this ability. I remember using 2's when I learned before and haven't bought an instrument yet(I am this month) or reeds. Thanks for the guidance!
I’m glad you enjoyed it and thanks for subscribing!! Reed strength can definitely have a big impact especially on the higher notes. Try to avoid the Rico orange box reeds, they are alright for very beginners but once you get started they will be too soft. I recommend Vandoren or D’addario reeds. As for the strength you may want to start around a 2 or 2.5 for the first couple months then move toward a 3 or 3.5. Ideal reed strength depends a bit on what you like and a lot on your mouthpiece, but usually 3-4 works for most people and most mouthpieces. As you get back into things focus on just getting a really great sound and being really comfortable with the lower notes then when you are feeling confident try the exercise in the video where you play a low note and then just press the register key to easily move into the higher notes. I hope that helps, and good luck getting back into it!
You're a godsend. I'm a beginner that's been selected for an advanced group and I've been trying to get ahead over the break.
Have you seen my video on crossing the break? th-cam.com/video/6r9RmHebbhI/w-d-xo.html
Good luck and have fun!
I’m SO glad I found your channel! I’m a second year clarinetist and I’ve been struggling with my higher notes. Thanks for the tips, automatic sub for me!!
I’m glad you found it too! Let me know if there is anything you have questions about!
THANKS
I really needed this for my assesment test.
I’m glad it was helpful!
thanks!!
i needed the instructions for playing the rush E!!
You're welcome, and I hope it helps!
Good lesson, thank you! How do you keep the airflow solid, but play quieter? Dynamics seem to be linked to airflow for me
Good question! Dynamics are tricky, and they are tied to the air. It is important to know that there are several different variables to the air. The one that controls dynamics is the volume of air or how wide the air stream is. The bigger the air stream the more it will push the reed away from the mouthpiece and the dynamic will increase.
The variable that makes the sound good is the energy of the air and consistency of the flow.
To play soft you need a narrower stream of air, but to compensate for having less energy because less air is moving, it needs to be faster. Luckily, making the air stream more narrow will naturally make it faster.
P.S. Be carful about trying to play too soft. I found most young and intermediate players generally play too soft. Develop a big rich full sound and then maintain that as you get softer, and don't go softer (or louder) than you can with a good sound.
Thank you very much!
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
hello! I enjoyed the lesson and just subbed. I self taught when I was in medical school and had trouble with notes above the treble clef. This was about 20 years ago and I am just learning again. How much would a different reed rating would affect this ability. I remember using 2's when I learned before and haven't bought an instrument yet(I am this month) or reeds. Thanks for the guidance!
I’m glad you enjoyed it and thanks for subscribing!!
Reed strength can definitely have a big impact especially on the higher notes. Try to avoid the Rico orange box reeds, they are alright for very beginners but once you get started they will be too soft. I recommend Vandoren or D’addario reeds.
As for the strength you may want to start around a 2 or 2.5 for the first couple months then move toward a 3 or 3.5. Ideal reed strength depends a bit on what you like and a lot on your mouthpiece, but usually 3-4 works for most people and most mouthpieces.
As you get back into things focus on just getting a really great sound and being really comfortable with the lower notes then when you are feeling confident try the exercise in the video where you play a low note and then just press the register key to easily move into the higher notes. I hope that helps, and good luck getting back into it!