Hi there

I've just begun to play the clarinet in the last month or so. I've noticed one problem that I was hoping someone with more experience might be able to help me with? My problem is this:

When I play the note E in the chalumeau register, there seems to be a lot of air passing through the clarinet. Much more than when I play D or C (the next two tones down). – the sound of passing air is a larger proportion of the produced sound than I think is correct. The air passing through the instrument is much larger than I can hear on any recordings.

Is there some way to correct for this? Is the problem embochure related?

Aside from this, can you suggest other tips/good rules of thumb for a new-comer to the clarinet? Any help is greatly appreciated.

I'm blogging about my clarinet adventure for those of you who perhaps are also beginners and might benefit from my trial and error experience.

http://www.frankoregan.com/fblob/category/clarinet-and-clarinet-playing/

Regards

Frank

Soiunds like pad on the ring key which closes for D is not opening enough - should be about 2mm at the front when the instrument is assembled. This key connects with the ring key on the lower joint which might not be opening adequately either (again about 2mm) or one of the linking arms between these two keys has got bent.