h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm a flautist, but recently been considering taking up the clarinet. I learned to play higher notes on the flute by playing the note in the lowest register, then 'hearing' the note an octave above and then playing it - this completely breaks down on the clarinet, though, when I have to spend five minutes figuring out which note is an octave below the one I want to produce, playing it, and then working out the fingering for the note that I actually wanted to play in the first place!


This was a very enjoyable entry, thank you

Clarinets just don't think that way.

I guess I'll have to learn to think in 12ths
Or learn to think like clarinettists, how ever that works...

My embrochure for the clarinet is unreliable at present, but I can get some quite high notes out, but only if I know exactly how it should sound first. I've almost decided to save up for a clarinet rather than a bass guitar...

Clarinetists (as opposed to clarinets in my last posting) don't think in octaves or in twelfths. They just visualise the entire almost 4-octave range of the clarinet as a continuous string of notes, each with its own fingering. It doesn't worry us that the fingering for C in the lower register is almost exactly the same as the fingering for G in the middle register.

And how do clarinets think?

(I guess I should try to apply some of my bassoon fingering skills to the clarinet)

Well, flute and saxophone fingerings are very similar. And upper octave saxophone fingerings are almost *exactly* the same as upper register (well, really middle register, but I assume you aren't playing altissimo yet? ) clarinet fingerings. From that, I assume that flute fingerings and upper register clarinet are pretty similar, but then, I am a clarinetist/alto saxophone-ist, and I have no idea about flute fingerings.

As for the lower register... I just learned by rote. *shrugs* I didn't know any better!


I have a handy hint for transposition between Concert and Eb keys, though (only works for a clarinetist, unfortunatly): I transpose to the clarinet key automatically, then think of that fingering in the lowest register of the clarinet. Pop the register key--now what note is it? That is the Eb note for that pitch.

(Transposing Concert A: the clarinet plays a B in the lower register. B with the register key is F#. So for an Eb instrument, Concert A is F#. I swear it works! )


Shee

See, I told you clarinetists don't think that way.

I don't have a problem with remembering (well, working out) the fingering for notes in the upper or lower register (although the whole thing of having two ways to play things is a bit confusing until I force myself to remember I'm part bassoonist too, and things like 'b' are often a matter of trial and error) - I can finger the notes, but can't get a sound out... I guess I just need to get a clarinet and do some practice...
My ambition is to be able to play a piece by Finzi, I can't remeber the name, but I think its about grade 6 and it starts with an ascending scale...

Clarinet embouchure is a muscular thing. It will only come with practise and you will lose it when you stop practising. Middle register requires a good firm embouchure. High register requires a very firm embouchure.

Yes yes... Heed those words! I stopped practicing for a while, and suddenly I had no more endurance! Thankfully it is back up again...

Shee

using a softer reed might make it easier to play. number 2s are pretty easy

My mother got me a clarinet for my birthday... they're still confusing, but I'm gonna persevere...

And I have a no. 2 reed, and all the upper register notes are coming out wonderfully (albeit occasionally squeakily and usually quite loudly)

Make sure the reed tip is in good condition... That's what's caused a lot of squeaks for me, especially in the beginning. I hope you're having fun with it!

I am, although I find the clarinet very heavy. Its so much heavier than the flute, and the weight is on a different hand than the basoon...
Still, I've only been playing it regularly for four days; I guess I'll get stronger!
My reed tip is in good condition, I think. It looks very even...

What, don't you sit on your bassoon?

*shrug* Okay. Chips or slits make it vibrate funny, but maybe you've just got an icky reed. (Always blame everything on the reed... The #1 rule. )

I mastered the reed issue with the bassoon.

Its too hard/its too soft/its too new/its too old/it won't let me sound an 'x' (where x is the note I'm currently having difficulties with - and it would change from reed to reed)

Apparently double reed players are worriers; I'm glad I've switched down to only one reed. Much better!

And cheaper, and less work!

You say that clarinetists think of there entire range as one long string of fingerings, each one different from the others. My question is, do bass clarinets work the same way? I have a friend that plays bass clarinet, so I am wondering. I also considered starting to play bass clarinet last year (I am a flutist), but decided against it, so I don't know for myself.

The bass clarinet works exactly the same way as the normal B flat soprano clarinet. The fingerings are the same but the notes come out an octave lower. To make it easier for the player, the music is written in the treble clef, an octave higher, so the bass clarinetist can play as if he or she was playing a soprano.

Of course some composers insist on writing the bass clarinet part out in the bass clef, so the players have to learn how to read this. And sometimes, the bass clarinet player is asked to play the bassoon's part, which involves transposing the thing by a whole tone, so it is not quite as straightforward as it might be.

Bass clarinets usually have a few extra keys, operated by the right thumb and right little finger to play really low notes.