I`ve been practicing pretty basic scales and whenever I get around the middle of the staff (B, C, D) my notes come out with a `honk` before the actual tone appears. Any suggestions? I`ve been playing for 3 & 1/2 years now.. it`s happened before.. but it`s kinda getting on my nerves I know I`m not the only one experiencing these `honks`. Thanks for your help! :D!

its a tricky few notes to be able to play everytime without honking.. i have the same problem playing a G on the saxophone. its all about HOW you blow into the horn... you cant just blow and bloa and expect it to work all the time, you hafta learn exactly how much, what angle, toungue position, and tightening of your lower lip on such pesky notes. may be a problem with the pads but probably not if the low F, E and G are ok. maybe you are holding it at too steep an angle. play around with lip pressure and air "angling" until you know how to play it everytime it comes across.

or it could just be that you have a leak. sometimes if there is a tiny crack or bent key, the sound will not resonate as it should.

Where B, C, and D are just over the break, there is a change in the type of note (going from throat tones to the clarion register). Before, I used to have a "honking" sound when going over the break. What it takes is a lot of practise, as well as improving the embouchure, in order to successfully get over the break and keep a nice sound while doing so.

What I would do is keep practising my scales that go from the chalumeau to the clarion registers. That should help a lot - it did with me, and I got full marks on my over-the-break test two years ago

you have to make sure you support the note with enough air, that doesnt mean louder, just more support, a stronger sound. also make sure you dont move your chin/mouth. i used t have that problem, and an exercise that fixed it for me (which may sound weird) is twisting the mouthpiece around, and me just blowing into it with reasonable force, then my teacher having her fingers on the keys forming the notes. this encourages you to not move your mouth and have enough air support to move through the registers flawlessly.

pinkemily1001 has a great method for getting over the 'honking'. But know this, it is very common for A-B to create a 'honking' sound, this is explained really well by Chrissy. It may also be your read, mouthpeice, or cracks in the pads of your clarinet. It might be a good idea to get it serviced or at least get the pads looked at.

Happy 'Honking'

-Alan