i am a beginner, but i wanna noe how do u get over Bb? u probably can go hundreds of octaves higher, but i can`t do it! when i press the two thumb keys at once it just sounds like the low E up to F a few notes higher (like 3) and like a gym coach`s whistle. how many months will it take to do?

Don`t worry, its a common problem. The first thing you want to do is make sure that you are covering the thumb hole compleatly. If you are not then it will almost surly squeak. If you do this and still can`t get the right sound try lowering you botom lip and take more mouthpiece from the botom. Open your throught, keep the ombuchure tight and support with plenty of air. Keep at it and it shouldn`t take long to learn. Once you get it once, it will be easy. If all fails ask your director for help. Good Luck
Jordan Weiss

Going into the upper register is one of the most difficult problems faced by a beginning clarinetist, but don`t worry, they`ll come.

thx. i managed a high B, but it sounds strange. kinda like a beeper that never stops. lol.

Hi Jay,
I`m a new player too and had the same problem as you and my teacher was perplexed by it !
We thought it was because I`m a more mature beginner and I hadn`t developed my lung capacity sufficiently enough yet but that turned out not to be the case.
I discovered the reason by chance and it was that I wasn`t holding down the keys hard enough - I was covering them ok but not holding firmly enough.
Hope that`s the same for you `cos it`s an easy remedy !
Good luck
Sue

GOING OVER THE BREAK WAS THE HARDEST FOR ME WHEN I STARTED PLAYING. IVE BEEN PLAYING THE CLARINET FOR A WHILE NOW AND I THINK IVE MASTERED IT. ITS ALWAYS A LEARNING PROCESS THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING KNEW TO TRY OR A TECHNIQUE TO HELP IN PLAYING. MY ADVICE TO U IS MAKE SURE YOUR EMBISCHORE IS FIRM, PULL THE CLARINET CLOSE TO U, AND MAKE SURE ALL THE WHOLES ARE COVERED

Don`t worry about it. DO NOT GET FRUSTRATED!! Crossing the break is the hardest thing about playing the clarinet. Just take your time. It will come with good practice. After you get over this hill, you will have a blast!