I`ve heard something about baffles. Something you put on your mouthpiece and is supposed to make the sound louder. Any opiniosn?

Thanks!

Don`t know what you are talking about; I`ve never heard of them. You just blow more air to get a louder sound and then as you`re diapraghm strengthens, you can play loud for four measures just like at any other dynamic. It took me almost three years to start really being heard over the three trumpets and two trombones in our band. It`s just the amount of air, pushing out on the diapraghm while playing, and then, proper posture as well as embochure (how you hold your mouth). Hope this helps
Jen

go to http://jodyjazz.com and you can get this thingy called a spoiler that you put on your mouthpiece and it amplifies your sound. (only if you wanna play really loud!)

runyon makes them too

oh but i think u can only use the spoilers on certain mouthpieces

blow harder

Yeah, I figured that. I meant something other.

umm... im not sure wut ur talkin about...
but i know that put in the mouthpiece a little more in your mouth and a better reed.also, proper posture will work.

Stronger diaphram is the key. You can get that my playing a lot, and also by practicing long, strong notes, aiming to really push with your stomach. It does take time for your diaphram msucales to pick, but they will. If you sing, again, practice long, strong notes (keep them in the middle of your range). You will end up needing to move up a reed strength or two.
The other important point about playing loud is you have to keeop themsucles round your mouth firm. This is something you can work on whenever you are playing.

Finally, when playing: sit up straight! You do not need the back of the chair to support your back. I used to be terrible for this, so I started sitting on the bed when practicing. No back suport there
Also, do NOT cross your legs when playing (ladies especialy... and don`t wear such short skirts when playing if you are that worried).

You can add a WEDGE to your mouthpiece to make yourself play louder. The baffle is part of your mouthpiece already, and therefore cannot be added on. I wouldn`t try it though, if someone puts in a wedge wrong it can ruin your sound and then your stuck with a bummed mouthpiece. Usually jazzers (saxophonists) put them in their mouthpieces, but its a last resort. Remember too that the clarinet isn`t a forcefully loud instrument; it`s known for the wide range and the ability to play extremley soft.