Clarinet Lesson: Fewer Squeaks, Better Fingers

[@johnharvey2850]

Sometimes a video comes along on KZbin that's worth it's weight in gold. These simple instructions that you provide are invaluable to someone like me playing the clarinet. Thank you 😊

[@monroeking6981]

Thanks again for your helpful tips. I am 83 and a little arthritis slows me down. Your refreshers help me rememer the basics. Jim King

[@lyndafoster9437]

That was a great lesson. Thank you

[@newspaul]

Thanks! Your illustrations really clarify points my teacher has been trying to make about positioning and working keys. Especially arching and covering holes correctly.

[@ClarinetMentors]

+Newspaul I'm glad this helps. I think most teachers use a system similar to this. I hope you are enjoying your clarinet.

[@moltforthecult2860]

Your vidoes have been so much help!

[@007Commentator]

Your videos are really very helpful and well made. Your explanations are highly comprehensible. Just one remark, concerning the position of the wrists as mentioned at 10:38. I find that the fingers can move most easily not with a straight wrist but with about 20-30° dorsal extension. It's the most natural and relaxed position of the wrist and also used when casting a broken wrist ("functional position").

[@meltdino1]

Thanks a lot for this tutorial. More power.

[@bcbelle171]

Thank you for another great tutorial.

[@jmwoods190]

Hi Michelle. thank you for the very informative video! However, for people with short fingers like me, what advice would you give us?

[@eriksnogenius]

Hi Michelle, Thanks for all the great videos. I'm a flute and sax player learning clarinet, and have been doing your scale thing regularly for a while and practicing sight reading random notes - in order to learn the 20 or so fingerings that are different from the flute and sax. I'm getting the notes, but a week ago my left thumb suddenly stopped working. I can't extend the second joint at all! Waiting to see a hand specialist, but in the meantime I can play using a brace which extends the joint for me. I think this is because of the tension in my hand as I concentrated on the wierd notes (I learned to sight read on flute so long ago) so I'm trying to get the hand position right and and relaxed even as I practice. My question after watching this video is, does the curved fingers thing apply to the thumbs as well? That is, should I try to keep the first knuckle (closest to the nail) of my thumbs flexed? I couldn't really make out what you are doing. I may need to sign up to have you specifically watch what's going on, I'll wait for the doctor's advice on that. "Doc, it hurts when I play clarinet" - "Well then don't do that!"

[@darrylbatchem8985]

I have taken up clarinet in my 50s. It is an instrument I would have preferred to learn when I was young but that place was taken by the oboe 128 bars rest 2 bars playing then 128 bars rest (until Gabriels Oboe which I am learning as Gabriels Clarinet). Finding the clarinet a much more riveting instrument. However there is just one thing I do not understand. There are 4 keys lower right 4 keys mid left and then 4 keys top right which I've heard labelled K L and M but what is the "N" key used for? Its the 4th key up in the top right hand side. I have searched the internet and it doesn't seem to ever be used. Help please

[@echecheese]

Can you make a video or give me a link to a video where with a tutorial that shows me how to get darker more pleasant tone? I really need help. Also do you think Vandoren b45 with a traditional blue box is good for dark tone?

[@ClarinetMentors]

+Eric Che Hi Eric, Producing the tone you want is a combination of air (most important), embouchure, equipment, and most importantly, having a clear tone concept in your head of how you want to sound. One video won't cover it all (unless it is several hours long), however these will assist you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmrRlWWtgbJ1haM - whisper technickzbin.info/www/bejne/baXcfIqKhJWgp9U - long toneskzbin.info/www/bejne/e5OXkHuFrNh4nqc - activating blowing muscleskzbin.info/www/bejne/gIS4iJ-bZtGCrbs - good huffing/long tone warmupkzbin.info/www/bejne/l2O3hnqvidifi68 - Embouchure TesterVoicing - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eovEqKanlL99oNk You have good equipment with your Vandoren mouthpiece and reeds. Every person responds differently to different setups. You should be able to make a good sound with what you have. You may find that different Vandoren (or other brands) also work well. The Vandoren M13 Lyre M30 tend to be dark for most people. Many people prefer the V12 or Rue 56, or V21 reeds to the blue box. I also like Steuer Exclusive reeds. That is a matter of experimenting. I hope these help!

[@echecheese]

I just reread my question and I realized that it was extremely broad... But thanks for all your help! I can hear that I'm already improving!!

[@dmasz696969]

What is the cause of trying to play a low F or low E and it comes out higher than a high G, but isn't a squeak?

[@davidchart3741]

Thank you any help is very much appreciate.

[@ClarinetMentors]

+David Chart I am glad this was helpful. I hope your clarinet playing is going well.

[@olgajacobs9743]

Hi Michelle, your video's are such a great help! I have a problem with squeaking on open G and A above. What could be the reason?

[@davidchart3741]

Thanks for the great video and tips for playing the clarinet. I am a total beginner, only picking the clarinet up yesterday. Don't even know how to put it together. I also got a clarinet basic book to learn from, but I could not even get a tune out of it, to watching your video, thank you I will keep tuned into your program for more great tips.

[@ClarinetMentors]

+David Chart I have a mini book that you can download which comes with a set of lessons to help a beginner get started. I think you would find those videos helpful. You can find the download at: www.clarinetmentors.com/resources/HowToPlayClarinetForBeginners.pdf

[@tanjamaletic7825]

I bought my first clarinet a few days ago and noticed that the fingers of my right hand cannot cover the holes well. Can I turn the lower part to the right just a bit in order to cover every hole? I'm afraid that these two keys that connect the body of the instrument are going to brake if i do that.

[@colleenvanderhoek3784]

You keep talking about links below the video.....I don’t see anything to link?

[@nr3rful]

Great info, as usual, Michelle. One question if you will. Do you remove your reed and put it back in the reed case everytime you put the instrument away for the day ?

[@ClarinetMentors]

+nr3rful I do. I have a good quality reed case that helps the reed to dry flat and hopefully stay flat. I think at the very least they should be removed from the mouthpiece and allowed to dry a bit before going back into the clarinet case.

[@RCraig-zs4ou]

Hi, recently, I encountered a issue with my pitch. My pitch is very flat and I have no idea how I can fix this. My band teacher recommended me to bring my corners in more and have a flat chin. I tried to do that and I watched your video, "Emboshore Tune-Up" to help me. However, I still have a flat sound. I have been playing clarinet for over 2 years and this issue never happened to me before. I'm currently using Rico B flat clarinet reed strength 3. Can the reed the cause of this issue? Can you please help me? I appreciate all the help I can get.

[@dominicmalilay5804]

What is your clarinet setup? Also, do you know anything about a vandoren v360 mouthpiece? I have one and don't know much about it.

[@ClarinetMentors]

+Dominic Malilay Hi Domininc - I am playing on a Backun grenadilla clarinet with cocobolo barrels and bells (as well as a MoBa mouthpiece). The Vandoren V360 is well respected. A good mouthpiece can make a big difference in your playing. They do really respond differently from person to person, so ideally, if you can get into a music store and try several, you can usually identify the best one for you very quickly. Certainly Vandoren makes many good mouthpieces. You might try the M13 Lyre as well if you are testing things out. (The M30 works for many people too.)

[@dominicmalilay5804]

+Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Thank you!

[@svbray3likespie]

My right thumb is hurting immensely when I play, it hasn't always been like this, only the past couple months. I've checked my hand position and I always focus on playing with correct hand position but it doesn't change anything pain-wise. I do have a cushion on my thumb rest but maybe there's a better one I can acquire, or maybe a neck-strap? Personally I don't like neck-straps but if reduces the pain I guess I could get used to it. Also maybe it's just my clarinet? I play on a Buffet Tosca. Some help would be greatly appreciated!

[@ClarinetMentors]

+Samuel Bray This video may give you some ideas. Sometimes adjusting the thumb rest heights makes a big difference: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKq5l4B_arOUbZI. I do use a neck strap. My thumb/wrist just started bothering me one year, and I don't think I had changed much in my playing. The neck strap really helps me. Worth considering - a good one like BG or Neotech helps.

[@svbray3likespie]

Thank you!

[@dushdush1459]

I used a 3.25 Legere on bari sax but I used a 2.5 on clarinet so yeah any tips?

[@jordynanderson5048]

I have a question I'm on a 3 reed but I need a strong one but every time I play 3 1/2 I feel like they are way too strong. I use Vandoren reeds. Any advice

[@ClarinetMentors]

Many people seem to fit in between a Vandoren 3 and 3.5. If you look at Vandoren's own reed strength chart, you will see that there are some differences between their own varieties. A Vandoren V21 3.5 is almost like a V12 3.25 (if there was such a thing). If that style of reed suits you, that may help.

[@lahwhoseher]

This has nothing to do with the video, but I was wondering what clarinet (brand and model) you are using in this video. I also was wondering what the extra left hand pinky key is. I have never seen that before.

[@mikecrawshaw3707]

+April Severs Hi April, well spotted, the key is an alternative Eb D sharp key, it helps facilitate playing these notes more easily, older models don't have them and the player needs to make awkward finger jumps. Michelle plays on Backun instruments which are Canadian high end instruments, the mechanism is also found on the Buffet R13 but as an optional extra.

[@lahwhoseher]

+Mike Crawshaw thanks so much! It would be very helpful to have that key.

[@erickfuerte4291]

Hi I play Clarinet and whenever I transfer from any note to b natural I dont get a sound. I realized that it is because I lift up the third finger. Or C. I've never had a problem like this before and I think it's because I transfered back from a year in bass clarinet. I try to fix but then I think about it too much and I fail either way. HELP me please!

[@ClarinetMentors]

+Erick Fuerte This could be your fingers, but there is a common mechanical cause for this as well. This video will help you determine if that may be an issue: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpK3Y3ijh6imm9E. Hopefully we can partially blame the instrument, because that is pretty easy to fix. If not, you'll need to practise in front of a mirror to watch what your fingers are doing.

[@erickfuerte4291]

+Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) THNX Michelle that helped me out a lot. It turns out it was me. I hope you keep making these wonderful videos.

[@yvonne9073]

Erick, 2 days ago I could barely play any of the notes, no joke. But I realized that I had a loose screw I screwed it back in, and everything was normal again. So TIP: CHECK FOR LOOSE SCREWS!!

[@MayaNetto]

Hello! I am Maya ( a 12 year old, 3rd year clarinet player) I've had this problem for about a year. My thumb on my right hand always gets red and swollen after I okay for more than about 45 minutes. This didn't happen when I was on a plastic clarinet, but when I transferred to wood, it started. I have practice well over 100s of hours yet it always happens. I would really appreciate it if you helped.

[@ClarinetMentors]

+Maya Netto Hi Maya, A couple of things come to mind. First of all, a wooden clarinet tends to be heavier than a plastic one, so you are likely taking on more weight. I also wonder if the thumbrest on your new clarinet is not set at the proper height for your hands. This video might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKq5l4B_arOUbZI

[@MrOldlistener]

Re amount of finger lift: simply compare with the lift of the keys - its not very much!

[@ClarinetMentors]

+Robert Hutton Good point. That is a great frame of reference. Thanks.

[@snxxx9842]

My clarinet still squeaks!!