Clarinet Tone, Tonguing, Rhythm, Musicality - Your Questions Answered

Many great clarinet questions (see list below) answered for you! Michelle Anderson, founder of Clarinet Mentors (www.learnclarinetnow.com), and Sean Perrin, host of the Clarineat Podcast (www.clarineat.com), answer questions from our live broadcast in February 2017. Here is the timeline in case you want to jump to the questions that most interest you:
2:52 Are there any ways to improve speed of reading music and transferring the notes to the clarinet?I have difficulty keeping up with accompaniments in the lessons.For example should I concentrate on scales and arpeggios?
This includes a great discussion of how people can practise better.
11:17 How do you prevent your teeth cuttung into your bottom lip, especially for long practice sessions?
Relevant links: • Test your clarinet emb... - Embouchure Tester
• Clarinet: Sore Bottom ... - Clarinet: Sore Bottom Lip? Here's how to fix it...
14:23 I started clarinet about six weeks ago.I am hearing a fuzzy/vibrating sound in the lower register.Probably embouchure?Any suggestions?
This includes a discussion about how to know if your clarinet is in good working condition, and the proper shape for fingers on the clarinet.
Relevant links: • Clarinet Lesson: Right... - Best Right Hand Position on Clarinet
17:49 "Michelle - I love the beautiful mellow sound of your clarinet.What type of clarinet is it? "
This includes discussion on how to choose a good barrel for your clarinet.
19:50 I have a clarinet pitched to 442 what length of barrel do I need to bring it down to 440?
This includes an interesting discussion on barrel length, tuning, mouthpieces, and may include Michelle messing up on the physics of sound.
22:38 When I tongue, my tongue moves so much that I can see movement in my neck. I have difficulty keeping a high tongue position and minimizing movement of my tongue without compromising sound quality.
Relevant links: Better Clarinet Articulation - members.clarin...
28:19 I cannot use a metronome. It is just too distracting, but I do like to play with the play-along cds, and other cds.
Great discussion about how to improve our sense of rhythm, and some tools to help (including tactile metronomes and click tracks).
Relevant link: • Improving Rhythm in Music - Improving Rhythm in Music
37:09 How much clicking of keys is normal? Perhaps my clarinet needs an overhaul but I'd rather not pay for that unless it will help.
This leads to a discussion on how to maintain clarinet keys, and even references 75W 90 Gear oil.
44:10 How do you go about making your music more…musical? Versus metronomic, flat, etc.
Fabulous question! Leads to a great discussion on phrasing, and how to play expressively.
49:26 Have you noticed any issue with synthetic reeds tuning? When I have tried them in the past (Legere Signature, European, etc.) I have experienced a notable flatness especially around the throat tones. My teacher has noted this as well. Just wondering if this something others have experienced?
51:38 When tuning on middle B (in summer I have pulled out a little) then I found that the lower register is flat. Is it correct to tighten the embourchere to raise the pitch in the lower register.
This leads to a discussion on clarinet tuning technics.
57:15 Special opportunity for further clarinet training to support Clarineat.
Relevant link: For free sample clarinet lessons, go to: members.clarin...

[@chaelagrey5419]

Hi your videos helped me so much while I was preparing for Region Band a month ago,unfortunately I didn't make it but it helped so much for my first time and I did better than I expected... I'm glad your back making videos ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@ClarinetMentors]

Thanks Caela! All the best with your continuing studies!

[@ElPalomodelaSierra]

That was a very motivating session! Thanks for sharing!

[@ClarinetMentors]

Thanks for the comment. I'm glad that you enjoyed this session.

[@graemegerrard1983]

Thank you. Great to hear some clarinet nerding! Very helpful and interesting.

[@ClarinetMentors]

Clarinet nerding is always fun!

[@Musix4me-Clarinet]

Good Stuff. Appreciate your work.

[@ClarinetMentors]

Thanks!

[@eviltoms]

New favorite quote: An amateur practices until it's right; a professional practices until it can't go wrong

[@AlexLoranger]

Why would anyone thumbs down this?

[@AlexLoranger]

LOL I play both(and flute). I don't think I would be able to appreciate saxophone as much as I want to without clarinet's robust history and technique. I must not be the only one who thinks so, since many of my favorite jazz sax players started and/or continue to play classical clarinet. I love jazz clarinet but it's a completely different instrument and effect than saxophone has, and I think the jazz side of myself is expressed most accurately through a tenor saxophone. I have many more years to see what else I can discover, so stay tuned!

[@henningvhansen]

I have a question. I am wondering if the pressure you apply to the reed primarily stems from the muscles in the lower lip itself, or if it stems from the underlying teeth, meaning you apply the jaw pressure to the reed through the passive lip. Thank you so much for your always very inspiring sessions!

[@henningvhansen]

Thank you for your reply, it is useful for me! What also made me ask about this, was that I once heard Michelle Anderson discuss, whether or not to bite with the upper teeth in the mouth piece, or not to use the upper teeth at all. This made me wonder, if the best practice would be to, so to speak "carry" the clarinet using the muscles of the lips only, with an absolute minimum support of the teeth/jaw.

[@ClarinetMentors]

Hi Henning, I suspect that our bottom jaw does put some of the pressure on the reed. However, we need to ensure that we do not "bite" too much. This is a common clarinet bad habit. I like to counter this pressure by really bringing the corners of my mouth in to keep the shape of the lips quite round. I like to imagine that my bottom lip and chin is actually pulled down, away from the reed, to allow it to vibrate better. Some jaw pressure is necessary to produce sound, just don't overdo it!

[@okwhatever2995]

Is it possible to purchase a separate barrel and bell separately and have it not fit ? So what measurements do I need ? Does different brands effect this? Btw I'm on a bflat clarinet Yamaha intermediate model level.

[@ClarinetMentors]

Most barrels and bells will fit most clarinets. However, some bell makers to make some specifically for certain brands of clarinets. It is good to ask them when you are trying equipment out.

[@eviltoms]

What exactly is 6 8 time? Is it like a faster 3 4 time? I know the 6 means 6 eighth notes in one measure so what would be the value of a quarter note etc. Also, how would you count it off? Not really a clarinet question but eh

[@railroadkid8218]

I was wondering if you could help me out, when I tongue on lower notes i tend to squeak on them, any idea why this might be happening? I play on an E12 F with a 5rv lyre mouthpiece and V21 3.5 reeds.

[@gerazhilkov4760]

Hi! For some reason I can play the notes in the chalumeau register just fine when doing a walkdown. Otherwise, the notes do not come out! Can you give me some tips on fixing the problem?

[@gerazhilkov4760]

Thank you for your help! I have also discovered that I took a bit too much mouth piece into my mouth and my clarinet was angled a bit too high. But I think the thing that has affected me the most would be me tensing up when getting to the lower notes.