Hi, this is my first time (precisely the first DAY) playing the clarinet, and I`ve had a couple problems. As I`m playing it in school, I really need to know certain things.
First of all, when I try hitting a note, any note, I seem to be blowing really hard, harder than other people around me are blowing. And when I DO hit something, it doesn`t sound too good. One of the other people said to me when she was helping me assemble it : "Hey, yours looks weird." (Meaning different than what hers looked like.)
I would like to know if this could be a problem with the clarinet and that I would have to have it changed, or if I just need practice.
I know you have to have the correct "embouchure", but someone was watching me do it, and she kept giving me different suggestions as to how I could change my mouth, because different things didn`t seem to be working.
Could it be because the reed wasn`t moist enough? Because the pieces weren`t aligned?
All in all, is it the clarinet`s fault, or is it mine? Is it normal to have to blow really hard in a clarinet to get a sound if it`s your first time for some reason?
If it`s me, that`s ok, I`ll just practice. But if it`s not normal, I`ll have to get the clarinet changed.
Thanks.