Hello.

I'm a pro sax player, and am pretty new to the clarinet.

When I play notes in the middle register (particularly E, F, G, A, B), I'm getting a blob of the lower register sounding as I tongue the note.

The clarinet is a pretty cheap student one, but I'm pretty sure it's ok, so I'm guessing it's something to do with my embouchure, or maybe I'm tonguing too aggressively!?!?

Has anyone come across this problem before, and can suggest something I can try.

Thanks.
Rob

i play sax and clarinet but i'v never had a prob. sorry

Sounds like you have a slight leak in one or more of the pads. Take the horn apart and test the upper and lower joints separately.. Plug the lower end with an air-tight cork, or use the palm of a wet hand, close the tone holes with your other hand, put the top end of the joint in your mouth and suck hard. It should form a vacuum that lasts a second or two. Then, keeping your hands in the same position, blow into the joint, you should hear a slight hiss if there is a leak. If you are a smoker, blow cigarette smoke into it and see if the smoke leaks out of any of the pads.
Having said all that, a faulty embouchure, a poor reed or a worn mouthpiece could also be the problem. Interesting detective work ahead. Let us know how it works out.
Alan

what brand is your clarinet?

It is most likely your embouchure if your new to the clarinet. But it could vary well be a leak, or a bad mouthpiece or reed.

How long have you been playing? Have you always had this problem?

Hi again, and thanks for the helpful replies.

I tried testing for leaks, and everything seems ok, so I went and tried a friend's clarinet (with their mouthpiece and reed)... same problem, so it must be down to me.

I'm pretty sure it's the shape of my embouchure, maybe a bit too relaxed and saxophone-ey.

Yeah, defiantly some embrosure problems. You have to have a lot of muscle in your mouth to get a good sound on the clarinet. Granted it's an easier instrument to play, getting a good tone is hard. If that's not the problem, you might want to get the register key checked out. I know I had a problem with it at one time and it was hard to play the higher notes. Hope this helps! If not, I tried!