As a christmas present, I received a half-year course for an instrument of choice - this will take place in our local music school (I didn't even know it exists). And begin in January. My choice is the clarinet. I like the instrument and my wife played it 20 years ago. So we still have got the Clarinet (wow, she bought it for ~1000$ at that time, which was a lot).
Previous knowledge: Zero :)
I tried it yesterday, and: BIG SUCCESS. I was able to make it emit some shrill noises ;) My goal: One day I want to be able to play an easy melody like in the finale of Sibelius' En Saga.
All in all of course my goal is not to become a musician or a second Karl Henning ;). It's rather about "must one have tried once in his life".
Anyway, looking forward to it.
Hope have you a great time learning and playing (and a dedicated YouTube channel ;) ). :)
Thanks. Time will tell :) I hope next year I'd at least be able to play some slower clarinet melodies we know from the orchestral literature. I mean, it doesn't have to sound good, but a listener should be able to guess the melody. I hope that is achievable within half a year. Exercises will be once a week one hour (I have to work!) and maybe once a week I'll find 1 or two hours time to practise.
I've got no youtube channels but I'm able to record audio without a problem. Maybe I'll disturb the GMG music beauty with my output one day ;)
According to my wife the more quiet tones are more difficult to play. My cats weren't amused after my first tries!
And I think practising clarinet wouldn't be possible if I had >:D neighbours in my house.
That's a very original Christmas present! Good luck!
What a lovely present! Have fun!
Quote from: Wurstwasser on December 26, 2010, 08:56:19 AM
Thanks. Time will tell :) I hope next year I'd at least be able to play some slower clarinet melodies we know from the orchestral literature. I mean, it doesn't have to sound good, but a listener should be able to guess the melody. I hope that is achievable within half a year. Exercises will be once a week one hour (I have to work!) and maybe once a week I'll find 1 or two hours time to practise.
I've got no youtube channels but I'm able to record audio without a problem. Maybe I'll disturb the GMG music beauty with my output one day ;)
According to my wife the more quiet tones are more difficult to play. My cats weren't amused after my first tries!
And I think practising clarinet wouldn't be possible if I had >:D neighbours in my house.
From what I gather, by next year you will likely be taking part in a performance of Brian's Gothic Symphony and we'll be listening to it on youtube!
Quote from: Scarpia on December 26, 2010, 01:13:51 PM
From what I gather, by next year you will likely be taking part in a performance of Brian's Gothic Symphony and we'll be listening to it on youtube!
:)
The 'Gothic' orchestra needs, ideally, 197 players. So Wurstwasser will be welcomed with open arms!
practice like this -
10-15 minutes per day for a month focused on embouchure and tone quality as you learn the notes. guaranteed success. then you can adjust your practice as you need.
dj
Quote from: david johnson on December 26, 2010, 10:46:15 PM10-15 minutes per day for a month focused on embouchure and tone quality as you learn the notes.
Thanks for the advice, yes, both seemed to be a central difficulty. Before my first try I thought, it was technically as easy as with a flute. Air in->tone out. I hope no flutist reads that now :) playing flute is probably not that easy. But you know what I mean.
@Scarpia/Jezetha: A good reminder that I still have to listen to Brians First, according to the praises it receives here... Wasn't on my focus and didn't have the time yet.
push up a bit hard against your top teeth and keep a tight bottom lip for the reed to rest on. what strength reed you using?
dj
Quote from: david johnson on December 27, 2010, 11:34:31 PMpush up a bit hard against your top teeth and keep a tight bottom lip for the reed to rest on. what strength reed you using?
I used a 2.5 at my first try. We also have 1.5 and 2 here.
i think the 1.5 and 2 are usually a little soft, but you're a beginner and will break them soon anyway :) go ahead and use them up.
the 2.5/3 will probably give you a better tone.
what is your mouthpiece brand/model?
dj
It's the one delivered with the clarinet. The only information I can find on a middle clarinet part is "Hans Kreul, Tübingen".
We've got an additional glas mouthpiece which my wife bought but rarely used ("too cold"). "Vandoren, Paris. A2".
EDIT: Expensive hobby :) http://www.kreul.de/klarinette/preisliste/Alle/
Quote from: Jezetha on December 26, 2010, 01:50:03 PM
:)
The 'Gothic' orchestra needs, ideally, 197 players. So Wurstwasser will be welcomed with open arms!
I have it on good authority that it can be done just as well with 195.
Quote from: Sforzando on December 29, 2010, 06:05:01 AM
I have it on good authority that it can be done just as well with 195.
Corner-cutting!
Thank you, gentlemen! : -) Now back to Wurstwasser's clarinet, before he throws his lightning bolts on us.
Reed-cutting! ; )
The thread's on topic again. Almost... Take it from here, W!
You'll be honking and squawking with the best of them. ;)
Quote from: Tapio on December 29, 2010, 02:18:06 AM
It's the one delivered with the clarinet. The only information I can find on a middle clarinet part is "Hans Kreul, Tübingen".
We've got an additional glas mouthpiece which my wife bought but rarely used ("too cold"). "Vandoren, Paris. A2".
EDIT: Expensive hobby :) http://www.kreul.de/klarinette/preisliste/Alle/ (http://www.kreul.de/klarinette/preisliste/Alle/)
My undergrad clarinet teacher had me buy a Borbeck mouthpiece, and I've never looked back. Fantastic tone.
Quote from: Tapio on December 29, 2010, 02:18:06 AM
It's the one delivered with the clarinet. The only information I can find on a middle clarinet part is "Hans Kreul, Tübingen".
We've got an additional glas mouthpiece which my wife bought but rarely used ("too cold"). "Vandoren, Paris. A2".
EDIT: Expensive hobby :) http://www.kreul.de/klarinette/preisliste/Alle/
since you already have it, better get used to the crystal vandoren, that's good stuff :) your 2.5 should sound best on it.
Quote from: Jezetha on December 29, 2010, 06:12:05 AMNow back to Wurstwasser's clarinet,
I'm Mr. Tapio now, Jezetha, or only Tapio. (Hmm, I must have married again :))
I managed everything about the course today. First round will now start from 2011-01-13 -weekly- over 4 months and usually be 30 minutes for the technical practising. I've got some time to prepare until 13th. Maybe learning notes. I can read them, but rather like deciphering hieroglyphs.
Quote from: Tapio on December 29, 2010, 08:21:51 AM
I'm Mr. Tapio now, Jezetha, or only Tapio. (Hmm, I must have married again :) )
Aha! You're the forest god from the Kalevala now... :D
Quote from: Jezetha on December 29, 2010, 08:26:15 AMAha! You're the forest god from the Kalevala now... :D
Exactly. I'm very busy and can choose between being a forest god and the clarinet virtuosos world career now ;)
I'll change my avatar picture one day. I have a very beautiful nutcracker which looks accordingly. Long beard, a walking stick, ... Just need to take a picture.
Quote from: Tapio on December 29, 2010, 08:21:51 AM
I'm Mr. Tapio now, Jezetha, or only Tapio.
More appealing than "sausage water."
Quote from: Sforzando on December 29, 2010, 05:27:32 PM
More appealing than "sausage water."
Indeed. :) In Dutch, 'worstwater' might even be seen as a rather unsavoury but funny neologism for 'urine'...
First "lesson" today.
So I met my clarinet teacher for the first time today. A lot of talking about the instrument and handling; he showed me how to put the pieces together, all this, I'm a bloody beginner. He carefully examined my (wife's) Kreul Clarinet and was very satisfied with it and it's sound. Indeed he was able to produce some really nice playing with it :) Some of the clarinets holes don't close properly due to the Clarinet being 20 yrs old: He'll fix everything until next week.
Positive: A very positive and nice person. This is very important. And besides education, he plays in classical orchestras, so probably shares my interest (he's not a Jazz guy e.g.).
The show can begin :D
And he told me about the importance of practising. AT LEAST 30 minutes at 4 days a week. Discipline.
Also I'm hopeful that I'll learn to read music better than I do now. I read classical music literature and it's frustrating not to find out which passages of a known piece of music are actually written down.
Quote from: Tapio on January 13, 2011, 06:58:00 AM
. . . Some of the clarinets holes don't close properly due to the Clarinet being 20 yrs old . . . .
Yes, the instrument will want occasional upkeep. Good luck! Practice well!
1st lesson. At first, played on the mouth piece only. After a couple of tries it went fine and I repeated some tones after the teacher. Then 3 tones with the clarinet. A lot of putting away the mouth piece and re-attaching (I mean "absetzen/neu ansetzen") in order to get practise to find the right position. Everything worked pretty well.
Bad news: He wasn't able to remove most of the screws and couldn't fix the keys which do not close well: The clarinet will need a general overhaul; he recommended to do it. I'll not have it for 1 or 2 weeks then. But when it returns, it will be like new he says. I'll send it to an instrument maker in the south of germany; price will probably be 300-400 EUR. Still better than buying a cheap, new one.
BTW. I was just searching for a specific clarinet website (there's a good german site which explains the instrument in detail), entered "dieklarinette.de (http://dieklarinette.de)" - it was not the page I was searching for but however: a pleasure. Good marketing ;D - Karl, do you look that good?
Quote from: Tapio on January 20, 2011, 06:58:04 AM
BTW. I was just searching for a specific clarinet website (there's a good german site which explains the instrument in detail), entered "dieklarinette.de (http://dieklarinette.de)" - it was not the page I was searching for but however: a pleasure. Good marketing ;D - Karl, do you look that good?
"Auf Nachfrage können wir Ihnen die Fotos auch in noch höherer Auflösung zukommen lassen!"
("At your request we can also furnish you with the pictures in an even higher resolution!")
* thinking *
My clarinet returned last week from Leitner & Kraus - it's like a new one now :). First 2 lessons and since last Thursday I'm excercising ~20 Minutes per day: and I'm suffering from stronger difficulties in blowing the tones. There's a strong resistance, it seems as if I tend to press lower lip too hard against the wood. Not sure if it's normal that it's soo difficult. I'm trying hard. I'm using a 2,5 Vandoren reed. What annoys me is, beside the wanted tone I also often hear some remarkable "blowing noise". Well, I'll have to practise more.
Next lesson. Learned how to make staccato like tones. Haven't got the english word for this ("Anschlag") - stopping the air flow with the tongue. Difficult. Very demanding.
if the tone is too airy, raise the reed closer to the tip of the mouthpiece, perhaps even a slight bit above. the bottom lip must be firm without pushing up on the reed. push the mouthpiece up harder against the top teeth.
Quote from: Tapio on February 10, 2011, 08:02:28 PM
Next lesson. Learned how to make staccato like tones. Haven't got the english word for this ("Anschlag") - stopping the air flow with the tongue. Difficult. Very demanding.
I am guessing the term in English is tonguing.
Quote from: david johnson on February 11, 2011, 01:50:51 AMif the tone is too airy, raise the reed closer to the tip of the mouthpiece, perhaps even a slight bit above. the bottom lip must be firm without pushing up on the reed. push the mouthpiece up harder against the top teeth.
Well it worked better today. Tried a different reed and my glas mouthpiece - mouthpiece isn't the point, it's rather the technique. I tended to press too much with my bottom lip, making it hard to create a sound. The "push harder against top teeth" part worked. Less problems today. Ran out of breath! Yesterday: Terrible. Maybe due to a reed which is out of order. Also, it was too dry.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on February 11, 2011, 02:41:47 AMI am guessing the term in English is tonguing.
Tonguing, OK. The german word BTW is "Anstossen". I learnt it's like when you say "taa" oder "daa". This is what I was exercising today, it's my homework until Thursday. Progress. A bit uncoordinated, but at least it works. Well, only there's soon spit between reed and mouthpiece!?! I had to clean it up every couple of minutes, otherwise it sounded like a shower ;) -wet.
A good day. I'm about to rename the thread title to "Tapio - A shining star in clarinet heaven" ;)
great progress!! soak the reed before you use it, and draw the new one's backs across some fine grain sandpaper prior to using them.
tighten the top ligature screw less than the bottom one.
From what I experienced, heard and read[1] so far, a clarinet seems to be a pretty capricious instrument, and it's owner always tuning the instrument and reed here and there... And always searching for the best tone... "Die Klarinette" indicates, the clarinet is a woman ;)
[1] Good web site on the instrument: http://www.the-clarinets.net/index.html
Todays lesson: Breathing.
I'm breathing almost since 40 years - quite successfully. But the clarinet teacher told me about the abdominal breathing and we made some strange excercises. He told me some things that I can do in order to feel about the advantages of this. Currently, I'm not breathing like that and it is somewhat strange for me. Talked about the importance of feeling it, more important than intellectually get the idea.
Breathing, tonguing, holding tones and making goooood long tones; enough stuff for the next weeks.
Last week (2011-03-03):
Went pretty good. Good tones. "Bruder Jakob" - "Frère Jaque", that was the homework as well.
Then: Learning at home this Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: I'm at war against my clarinet. I emmited noise, not music. Tried thousand reeds. Everything got emitted, a few better tones, 90% air tones, beeps here, beeps there, I don't know what's wrong. Some difficulties in really closing all holes, also I tend to press a lever accidentally with my left ring finger. But that's not all. So terrible noises - something is wrong. Couldn't really concentrate on the melodies (also "Happy Birthday") which I intended to play.
I'll met my teacher today.
Quote from: Tapio on March 10, 2011, 04:53:30 AM
Last week (2011-03-03):
Went pretty good. Good tones. "Bruder Jakob" - "Frère Jaque", that was the homework as well.
Congrats. :)
QuoteThen: Learning at home this Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: I'm at war against my clarinet. I emmited noise, not music.
If you're lucky, you might accidentally play a Xenakis transcription. ;D ;)
*runs*
cover the holes with your 'fingerprint' rather than your fingertip. place the thumb under its rest between the thumb knuckle and tip, not the knuckle and hand. that will produce a curved finger shape that helps avoid accidental key touches.
the left thumb should approach the thumb hole at a near perpendicular angle. that helps the finds avoid mis-touches.
Last week (2011-03-10)
A step back because of several sound problems. Sometimes more, sometimes less high pitch background beeping. Treatment of the reed with sandpaper. Also, technique. Lower lip not appropriate. Playing long breathes of c to a up and down. Homework: this.
Today (2011-03-17)
Good. First sheet of music. Some note basics. "Spring Waltz", ranges from a down to h (b?). Reading, deciphering, finding the right fingering, playing. How to write down finger positions. Homework: This. Difficult is e.g. a-f-a. Also, he instructed me when to breathe in this particular song. If possible, I have to use the tongue to stop the airflow after the "|": cde def | ece d-- but it's difficult, I will see.
--
What really annoys me is, the ~7 year old girl, who started at the same day like me, is faster than me. :o :'( :'( :'( :'(
I'm planning to reschedule the world career into my next life.
Thanks David Johnson, I'm always reading your helpful comments. I'm holding the right thumb as you say, also covering the holes with the fingerprint. Only the perpendicular angle of the left thumb is difficult. Unnatural. But my teacher always tells me clarinet holding is an unnatural thing. I think, especially the fingers of the right hand need some crippled position in order to close all top holes.
not exactly perpendicular, do give your self some comfort. :D
I'm sure your teacher has this covered, TDS, but I think it's worth mentioning that the clarinet is one of the most finicky instruments to deal with, especially as a beginner. You have at least 17 pads that need to perfectly cover their corresponding holes, and if only one is slightly leaking, you'll get some unwanted squeals.
Back when I was teaching middle school band, whenever students who normally didn't squeak started having trouble in that area, it invariably meant something on their instrument was out of alignment. Usually, the register key wasn't closing tightly enough. While I'm sure you take care of your instrument much more carefully than the average young teenager (who thinks that cramming his music, lunch money, and math homework into his clarinet case is a good idea), pads can still get worn, keys can become bent, and springs can become weak. These issues can all cause tone-production difficulties unrelated to your playing technique.
2011-04-01
Spring waltz and Frère Jaque, teacher and me played it as a duet. Special emphasis on some problem parts. For instance, quick change from g (all open) to lower h. Some other technique things, e.g. a->f transition/how to touch the a key.
No lesson this week. At home: The problem parts and gaining security through speed.
Oh yes, a finicky instrument indeed.
2011-04-07
No lesson.
2011-04-07
Played melodies, difficult transitions work better. Still not perfect timing for instance when going from f to g, I often do not remove all fingers from the keys at the exactly same moment. And again, blowing technique. Sound is not clean enough, some nasty side noise... also sometimes a bit too low - it's basically a matter of tension of the lips. I'll have to do some exercises without the clarinet. Also, he gave me sheets for about 15 songs which I can learn at home... Next lesson in 3 weeks due to easter holidays.
Trying to play staccato, basically trying to use the tongue in order to close the hole. Like saying "taa taa" said my teacher. But: Still a disaster. And also spit disaster. The clarinet immediately starts beeping.
In my playing, I have no use for the tongue. Usually it resides in the back of the mouth. If it comes into play, my technique is in complete disorder. Like reading a book while playing football.
I really need to learn this. I realized I cannot play properly when controlling the air flow only with the breathing.
2011-05-12
Today: Use of the tongue for regulating the air flow. Difficult. It works better when not having the mouth piece to deep inside the mouth mouse :), but then I also tend to press and close the reed with no tone at all.
Also my teacher realized I don't clearly finish the tones. First I stop the mouth tension, then I stop the air flow which results in unclean finish... Homework: Tongue and finish.
Quote from: Tapio Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on May 12, 2011, 06:13:32 AM
2011-05-12
Today: Use of the tongue for regulating the air flow. Difficult. It works better when not having the mouth piece to deep inside the mouse, but then I also tend to press and close the reed with no tone at all.
Also my teacher realized I don't clearly finish the tones. First I stop the mouth tension, then I stop the air flow which results in unclean finish... Homework: Tongue and finish.
There has to be a more humane way of playing the clarinet!
No mice will be harmed in next week's k a rl h e nn i ng Ensemble concert!
Quote from: Il Barone Scarpia on May 12, 2011, 06:49:11 AMThere has to be a more humane way of playing the clarinet!
I'm glad to see you
rat my posting properly ;)
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 12, 2011, 06:54:02 AM
No mice will be harmed in next week's k a rl h e nn i ng Ensemble concert!
(http://ih0.redbubble.net/work.1090277.6.flat,550x550,075,f.my-new-clarinet.jpg)
(http://contraintes.inria.fr/~demaria/pictures/gatto_2_big.jpg)
Quote from: Tapio Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on May 24, 2011, 10:50:32 PM
(http://contraintes.inria.fr/~demaria/pictures/gatto_2_big.jpg)
which is you? :)
This one's for Karl!
(http://mtglair.de/img/python/Mouse_Organ.jpg)
Quote from: david johnson on May 26, 2011, 05:35:37 PMwhich is you? :)
No no, both not me.
2011-05-19- Dotted notes. - played a respective waltz tune directly from sheet, whoohoo, without having learned it before.
2011-05-26Played our waltz as a duet - technique (I cover wholes at a too high angle and pressed way too hard, very exhausting)
[2011-9-08]
My first lesson after (school) summer holidays, which are now over - and I've had my first lesson. Practised with a few of small etudes (someone graciously sent me a pdf with etudes of increasing difficulty). Good for finger technique and quick reading of the notes.
I'm not learning very often, twice a week, my job is demanding and so is my dog.
It all goes more fluently now, but still technically bad. Playing staccato like tones is still difficult because if I use the tongue for a couple of minutes then it's some problem of spit. Breathing is a case of coincidence. But hey, it's for the fun of it and all getting better by the time. :)
Last lesson we used the last remaining "in between" notes (I mean the .. sharp and flat ones). Currently I'm playing the whole possible range up and down and a piece which has c sharp etc. My range is now from e up to a' sharp major (ais'/b').
Sometimes I just play some german folk songs out of my mind and I was surprised how well it works to find the right note.
Good to follow your progress. Keep it up!
Today and last week: Register change, the use of the upper register i.e. overblowing, fifth... Ugh, technically difficult for me. We play a Haydn melody which has nasty a-upper c changes, also c-h. Is not going very fluently, but developing.
Finger position, position of the left hand, holding the hand in a more relaxed way, this is, what our lessons are about currently.
My initial plan was to be able to play stuff I want to play. But the case of Sibelius En Saga is a difficult one. I know how to play the notes, but En Saga clarinet ending is changing between upper and lower register, still too difficult.
But I can play the English Horn solo from Shostakovich 11 Tocsin movement. Not clean, but it works. :D
Quote from: Tapio Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on October 20, 2011, 09:15:41 AM
But I can play the English Horn solo from Shostakovich 11 Tocsin movement. Not clean, but it works. :D
Neato!
Overblowing and "quick" (quick is relative;)) changes between e.g. a' and c''. Still a problem, but again realized I don't need to put my fingers somewhere into the air, but better keep them close to the holes. Asked for a new piece to play, and he gave me Sibelius - Finlandia (the victorious melody in the end which also became national anthem of some African state).
Hmm, the orchestral piece starts d'-c'-d'-d#'... which is easy to play as a whole, but eek I have to play it h''-a'-h''-c'' so a lot of register changes - demanding. Not sure btw. if you english spesking folks say "h" to that specific note.
Had a lot of fun playing the clarinet to my favorite rendition of the piece, which is Rozhdestvensky with London SO.
Easy to play: RVW - Tallis. But breathing is a problem here due to loong notes...
Is it a clarinet choir transcription of the Fantasia?
When I was a mere slip of a clarinet student, the transcription which was the great challenge to breathing (because, a transcription of a string piece, like the RVW) was the Barber Adagio.
No, no sheet music, no transcription. My favourite Tallis Fantasia (Judd/New Zealand SO) CD playback accompanied by me (the Tallis melody part of it). I tried to play exactly after the main strings lines. Breathing is something I still have to do more "organized", I'm simply not focused on that currently. Well I'll try the Barber Adagio for strings, thx for the hint.
In my clarinet lessons we're currently playing Finlandia and some Christmas songs. At home, if I'm sick of those, I just crawl through my favourite classical music and try to play the melodies after it. They shouldn't be too fast in general and register changes are still very difficult, a matter of "search+cover holes".
Quote from: Tapio Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on December 01, 2011, 06:52:12 AM
but eek I have to play it h''-a'-h''-c'' so a lot of register changes - demanding. Not sure btw. if you english spesking folks say "h" to that specific note.
"In parts of Europe, including Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Norway, Finland, and Russia, the natural symbol transformed into the letter H (possibly for hart, German for hard): in German music notation, H is B♮ (B-natural) and B is B♭ (B-flat). Occasionally, music written in German for international use will use H for B-natural and Bb for B-flat (with a modern-script lowercase b instead of a flat sign). Since a Bes or B♭ in Northern Europe (i.e. a B elsewhere) is both rare and unorthodox (more likely to be expressed as Heses), it is generally clear what this notation means."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Note (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Note)
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on December 04, 2011, 11:01:00 PM"In parts of Europe, including Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Norway, Finland, and Russia, the natural symbol transformed into the letter H (possibly for hart, German for hard): in German music notation, H is B♮ (B-natural) and B is B♭ (B-flat). Occasionally, music written in German for international use will use H for B-natural and Bb for B-flat (with a modern-script lowercase b instead of a flat sign). Since a Bes or B♭ in Northern Europe (i.e. a B elsewhere) is both rare and unorthodox (more likely to be expressed as Heses), it is generally clear what this notation means."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Note (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Note)
Thanks. BTW in sheet music, they use # for the sharp and ♭ for the flat notes - is this just a convention, or does ♭ stand for "below" here?
And: Why do I own a B♭ clarinet? What makes it B♭?
It's all to be found on Wikipedia: 1. Clarinet, 2. Flat (music) and 3. Sharp (music)....
[2011-12-22]
We played christmas songs directly from sheet (partly unknown songs for me!), which worked pretty well. Register change works better now.. not perfect, but better. For whatever reason I'm often confusing c' and b' and need to hold my left hand a bit differently in order to easier cover all holes. Christmas I'll play christmas songs with the clarinet at home while the others sing :) - Everything will be far from perfection I'm sure, but hopefully fun.
[2012-02-02]
More emphasis on beinig correct in binding notes/staccato, also breathing at the appropriate time. Currently all that exceeds my concentration span when playing after sheet with not well known music.
Players!
The 2nd Bb (Bb'?) on a b clarinet -> http://www.mstm.de/Klarinette/aisb1.html - is that a problematic key to press? On two different clarinets, I realized if I play G-A-Bb-B-C then from G to Bb, with the same amount of breath, the Bb sound is very poor, and it gets better (free, louder) with B natural and C again. The Bb really is the poorest sounding key!
[2012-03-16]
A waltz with emphasis on which E' minor keys to press in different situations.
I really enjoy reading about your progress. I wish I could help you, but my saxophone experience is not exactly applicable.
Quote from: mc ukrneal on March 13, 2012, 07:54:17 AMI really enjoy reading about your progress.
BTW, my goal mentioned in the first posting ("playing a simple melody") of course is already achieved.
I think I'm gonna perform Autechre - Gantz Graf on the clarinet now. ;D
http://www.youtube.com/v/AyJfHU4GoOQ
Oh, I should write more. Still technical problems with tones b' and higher, I tend to often create high beeps or maybe press the reed too much...
Music: Oh, an easy Klezmer piece called Sameah Tesamach. Wasn't into that kind of music but I like the way the melodies are built. Nice mood, good fun to play.
I recently tried to make a sound on the clarinet for probably the first time. Wow is it hard! Every now and then I'd accidentally get it right and then I could flutter the keys blindly, but for the most part it was just a lot of pffft pffft, pffft pffft!! ::) It wasn't a very good instrument, maybe better ones are easier?,... but this was real work.
Yes, beginning is hard :D. You know that the reed must not be dry? If you learn the blowing technique, use the mouthpiece only because you avoid all 10000 other possible mistakes (not fully covered holes etc...)
Quote from: Tapio Dimitriyevich Shostakovich on June 26, 2012, 12:07:08 PM
Oh, I should write more. Still technical problems with tones b' and higher, I tend to often create high beeps or maybe press the reed too much...
Music: Oh, an easy Klezmer piece called Sameah Tesamach. Wasn't into that kind of music but I like the way the melodies are built. Nice mood, good fun to play.
push the mouthpiece up firmly against your top teeth, keep the corners of your mouth firm, higher pitches can benefit from slightly more mouthpiece in the mouth, press fingertips over holes firmly
Quote from: Tapio Dimitriyevich Shostakovich on June 27, 2012, 09:24:35 PM
Yes, beginning is hard :D. You know that the reed must not be dry? If you learn the blowing technique, use the mouthpiece only because you avoid all 10000 other possible mistakes (not fully covered holes etc...)
that could have been it.
what, only 1000 possible mistakes? piece o cake!!!
Quote from: snyprrr on June 28, 2012, 06:53:57 AM
that could have been it.
what, only 1000 possible mistakes? piece o cake!!!
Don't try to make things look easier than they are. 10000 mistakes, not 1000 !!! :P
But, it's still only 16 in decimal system, and a quite reasonable number.
Oh, important information, for the next ~10 sessions, I have a teacherette ;), she's a music student completing an internship[1]. My clarinet teacher is mostly just sitting there in his complete wisdom, giving hints sporadically.
She already tortured me because she demands me to already close the three lower holes whenever I play F#', G', A', G#' or Bb' (when overblowing follows). So more one thing to take care of... that tortures my brain ... It's said to sound better and of course I'm better prepared for, say B', C'' etc...
[1] This is what http://www.dict.cc/ translates for me.
Quote from: North Star on June 28, 2012, 08:52:56 AMDon't try to make things look easier than they are. 10000 mistakes, not 1000 !!! :P
But, it's still only 16 in decimal system, and a quite reasonable number.
Base 2? Nonono, when it comes to possible clarinet problems you at least need a decimal base in order to not get ultra long numbers.
So, the oboe is the easy one to play?
Quote from: Tapio Dimitriyevich Shostakovich on February 02, 2012, 08:51:00 AM
[2012-02-02]
More emphasis on beinig correct in binding notes/staccato, also breathing at the appropriate time. Currently all that exceeds my concentration span when playing after sheet with not well known music.
Players!
The 2nd Bb (Bb'?) on a b clarinet -> http://www.mstm.de/Klarinette/aisb1.html - is that a problematic key to press? On two different clarinets, I realized if I play G-A-Bb-B-C then from G to Bb, with the same amount of breath, the Bb sound is very poor, and it gets better (free, louder) with B natural and C again. The Bb really is the poorest sounding key!
check the A key to see if it opens far enough
Quote from: Tapio Dimitriyevich Shostakovich on June 29, 2012, 03:39:36 AM
Oh, important information, for the next ~10 sessions, I have a teacherette ;), she's a music student completing an internship[1]. My clarinet teacher is mostly just sitting there in his complete wisdom, giving hints sporadically.
She already tortured me because she demands me to already close the three lower holes whenever I play F#', G', A', G#' or Bb' (when overblowing follows). So more one thing to take care of... that tortures my brain ... It's said to sound better and of course I'm better prepared for, say B', C'' etc...
[1] This is what http://www.dict.cc/ translates for me.
Base 2? Nonono, when it comes to possible clarinet problems you at least need a decimal base in order to not get ultra long numbers.
yes, if you cover the bottom keys you're using an alternate fingering that sometimes helps tuning and makes it easier to move from those notes you mentioned to B and above.
Currently playing pieces with lots of changes between lower and middle register? (Bb'->B'), it works better now. Some focus on when to already cover bottom keys with the right hand, which can often be done before the overblowing is done. That is alright now, I'm now covering them at a perfect moment (if I don't forgert it :D)
Going from Bb' to B' quickly is pretty difficult, because...hmm AFAICS 9 fingers have to change position at once.
Another focus is now on articulation. My playing is... erm... clumsy. No matter if I play a dance, waltz, whatever, it all sounds like machine made.
This forum is available on Tapatalk for Android, great.
Long forum absence due to real life...
Still learning on a weekly basis minus school holidays.
Currently I am playing Schumann Träumerei from Kinderszenen, some very popular piece for piano... I didn't even know it!
Goal is to be more sensitive with the clarinet. My playing always is too harsh...
I'm also glad i've learned and understood the major/minor thing and also get a feeling of what the scale is when I hear a piece of music. And I found out I like the harmonic minor scale pretty much. Maybe it's often used in Klezmer?
Best regards
Good to see you back!
Quote from: Tapio Dimitriyevich Shostakovich on December 29, 2010, 02:18:06 AM
It's the one delivered with the clarinet. The only information I can find on a middle clarinet part is "Hans Kreul, Tübingen".
We've got an additional glas mouthpiece which my wife bought but rarely used ("too cold"). "Vandoren, Paris. A2".
EDIT: Expensive hobby :) http://www.kreul.de/klarinette/preisliste/Alle/
Oooooh, it must be a great horn! My oboe is Hans Kreul, and I prefer it to many Lorees (the kind most pro oboists use). ;D
I've got a clarinet too, a Boosey & Hawkes from Britain. (Don't laugh, Karl!) Have you tried Schumann's Romances, Opus 94? They were written for oboe, but work well for clarinet too. 8)
:)
Sorry guys, I have replied 3 times via my Android device and Tapatalk, but the messages did not appear here.
I think my technique is far from being good enough in order to appreciate specific clarinets or manufacturers... No Jochanaan, I don't know Schumann's Romances Op. 94 (usually I'm not into Schumann at all)... Will look for sheets.
Currently I'm enjoying to accompany Andreas Scholl/Mrs. Halperin in this piece, it's rather easy:
http://www.youtube.com/v/DnILjf92pdc
I wrote down the notes and play it.
I have a question - may this be a common problem for beginners? It's there in above piece (in "My heart [is a palace]"): So when I play Legato Bb'->C'' this easily and often results in a squeak. It seems you really have to be careful at this transition. Practising, practising,...
Across the break? Yes, nothing for it but tons of practice :)
We're practising Sidney Bechet - Petite Fleur currently. Lovely piece and fun to play. It's a heavy invitation to do variations :)
I must say my overall skill progresses very slowly. Playing things really clean and without mistakes is on my agenda, but close to impossible. I insist on making my beloved mistakes ;)
If I'd play in an ensemble, those would be the ensemble members: :'( :-[ :-X ??? >:(
More practice :)
I'm not a clarinetist, but practicing is really the only way you can logically get any better. I remember when I was in the jazz band in high school and I had to learn all of these parts (I'm a horrible sight-reader) and I missed a few notes in a live performance. Had I been better rehearsed and practiced more at home, I no doubt would have been able to breeze through the parts. Just keep at it.
QuoteI'm a horrible sight-reader
So am I... Multitasking is needed, but my brain only has room for one task :) Also, I'm still deciphering and counting notes from the 2nd B onwards.
We are now done with Bechet and carry on with... I think it was... "Mambo Jambo". Have not yet had a look at it. No interest to play Christmas Music this year.
Ha, now I know where clarinet players are needed (0:55...)
https://www.youtube.com/v/vwLdjv5Ml5M#t=55
Practising the well known Shosta Waltz #2...