hello all!

i`m rather new to the clarinet (maybe not, but i`ve been playing it since like january) and i need help on improving my tone because some notes sound airy, and the higher notes sound horrible (like a really very sharp, flat, tone... like a screech maybe?)

also, i seem to have problems with the saliva/water residue bla.. it seems like there are quite a lot of residue that form and sometimes it just drips all the way down.. and then when there`s a lot of water residue i can`t seem to blow properly.. and then i`ll start like spitting saliva instead of blowing air.. i find my air quite `salivary` too..

help please?

thanks,

alison

Well, try to "breath" through the clarinet instead of blowing through it.

Try blowing more air. Thats all my band teacher ever tells us!

well well, it`s like when i blow more air the more blasty it sounds. not like a nice clarinet tone.

and.. i don`t reallly get what it is meant by breathing through the clarinet...

and one more point to add, after playing for long my stomach muscles hurt a lot. how?

As far as your tone is concerned, really open up the back of your throat on the higher notes. This will help them sound a lot more fuller. Don`t pinch them off. Just let them flow out of your clarinet.

Tighten up for high notes but never over blow and never force the sound, just let it flow

Maybe try tightening your mouth piece?? it might help so u aren`t spitting so much.

DON`T tighten on the high notes!!!! All it does is help you to develop a pinched sound.
Try using a more focused airstream.

What I have found helps me most is to make sure that I am holding the mouthpiece in my mouth properly. Also, as I practice more, my mouth muscles get stronger and my tone gets better. Keep practicing, and make sure you have good reeds, too. I use Vandoren reeds, you will have to find the size that is best for you.

you have to open the back of your throat. Like a half yawn. Singers and wind players open their throats an inch more than most people.

I started playing last year, and I found that if you put too much mouthpiece in your mouth, it squeaks really loud. And make sure your reed is damp, but not soaking wet.

Look you need to tighten up and blow a fast airstream make sure you have a good amature thats very important you can add more mouthpiece but you dont have to. You work up to higher notes you haven`t been playing long dont worry about it. Ive been playing for six years it still takes practice. Work on fundamentals I wish I would have
Allison

I think the best to do is to not worry about it. It is a stage that will pass. Maybe you are over-touching the read with your tongue. You must di the staccato by only touching it with the tip of your tongue. Don`t worry about it too much and it will not annoy you anymore.

Hi...
I understand what you are saying completely. I`ve been playing clarinet for 3 years now, and there is no solution to the saliva thing except to let it flow down, but if it is really messing up your sound, the only way is to suck the saliva up (eww.. i know). As far as the improving the tone -- sit up on the edge of your chair, breathe through the diapragmh (basically the lower part of your lungs ... your stomach should move outward, no shoulder movement), and push out your diapragmh to increase intensity. For the high notes, which range are you meaning? upper upper register or the middle high notes like above the second C or above the third C? If you mean above the third C, the only way to improve is practice, practice, practice . Long tones will help, too. Going up in thirds on all your scales will help also. In addition, holding down on the higher notes (3rd D and higher) the 2nd Eb key will help it to stay on pitch. Make sure you are holding your lip right -- inward over your lower teeth, keep those muscles tight -- this will help your higher notes come out better w/ practice and it will help your tone. Hope this helps you!
Jen
PS The keys mentioned are for Bb clarinet -- you didn`t specify if you were playing Bb, Bass, Alto, Soprano, A, or C clarinet.

It is condensation, not spit.