In over my head!

    
In over my head!    18:55 on Monday, June 27, 2005          
(ialwaysneedhelp)
Posted by Archived posts

I am an experienced saxophone player, and thought I would give clarinet a try as a way to keep myself playing while travelling (Tenor saxophones don`t travel well) I was hoping learning clarinet would be as easy as learning sax, I was horribly mistaken. Any advice on playing over the break? I`m so lost here... Anyone know differences between embechure in sax and clarinet? Any help would be amazing.


Re: In over my head!    02:21 on Tuesday, June 28, 2005          
(Steve)
Posted by Archived posts

Going from clarinet to sax is easy. The opposite is not.
The reason is that the clarinet embouchure is much tighter and less forgiving than the sax, and the fingering changes for each register.
Make sure you`re holding the clarinet almost vertical with the mouthpiece more `behind` the teeth rather than `under`.
If you do a google search for `Perone beginning clarinetists` you`ll find some extremely helpful advice.
As for the break, what is it that`s giving problems?
Good luck,
Steve


Re: In over my head!    13:25 on Tuesday, June 28, 2005          
(Matt)
Posted by Archived posts

Looks like I`m going to be a comebacker since my wife just got my old Noblet repadded and cleaned up after I bought her a trumpet to comeback on. The "break" between A & B sucks doesn`t it? How I remember playing G, A, B, C when tuning up in band now 25+ years ago. The brass (where most all the smart-asses were) poked great fun at the pregnant pause between A and B that most of the clarinets fell victim to (the brass wold mimic it when they tuned). What I tried to tell those in the 2nd and 3rd parts was that young can hold down your right hand fingering while playing the G and A so that only the left hand has to quickly cover holes. Makes for a much smoother transition


Re: In over my head!    18:47 on Friday, July 1, 2005          
(Clara)
Posted by Archived posts

Make sure you are using a really thin reed so that there isn`t as much resistance. The embochure is essentially the same for both instruments except, of course, your lower lip must be MUCH firmer on clarinet.
Apart from the fastidious nature of the clarinet, I would think that you find the lightness in weight refreshing (especially if you play tenor or bari!)

Take it slowly and don`t give yourself a heart attack!


Re: In over my head!    20:02 on Tuesday, July 19, 2005          
(clarinet)
Posted by Archived posts

I made the switch from alto/soprano sax to Bb/Eb clarinet and I didn`t find it too hard after the first two months. Keep working on it. I`ve been on clarinet for just over 2 years now and I`ve adjusted quite well (I will be performing the Weber Concerto in a few months). Don`t give up!


   




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