Step 4. Why does my new clarinet sound worse than the old one? Article Summary X. Low tongue position (ah) = unfocused. Make sure you sit up straight, and if you can't get a sound out try a note higher, look for leaks, or if you are a beginner, try and get a squeak out of your clarinet's mouth piece. Usually jazzers (saxophonists) put them in their mouthpieces, but its a last resort. Clarinet Learn everything you want about Clarinet with the wikiHow Clarinet Category. Made from wood, the clarinet produces a fluid sound when air is blown between a single reed and the mouthpiece. If … This could happen if you sized up or started using a new reed, are nervous of playing outside of the band room, or the clarinet was dropped/damaged. Create a cap for one side of the flute. CLARINET The clarinet is a single reed instrument. The sound of the clarinet is produced by the vibrations of the single reed located/fastened to the mouthpiece, where it vibrates when air moves across the reed. This article has been viewed 133,093 times. If you are a clarinet player, then you must know how important the reed is to the sound quality of your instrument. In order to produce good sound, you should blow facing straight forward, without puffing your cheeks out. Locate the mouthpiece of your clarinet and place your mouth on it. Whether you're learning with a school band or on your own, there is a lot to learn. With the instrument gripped in your hands and a straight back, hold the clarinet close to your … We will learn about clarinet embouchure (proper formation of the mouth and lips), also known as the \"band face\", how to place the clarinet in your mouth, the \"wiggle test\", and playing a good note. Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and blow air into the instrument, while keeping the corners of your mouth tight. Now that you have a sense of the instrument’s current pitch thanks to your tuner, blow air through the instrument one more time. When you’re learning how to play the clarinet, it’s important to make sure your instrument is perfectly in tune.A clarinet that’s out of tune can sound harsh and unpleasant. While it's easy to get a sound on one, the challenge is in getting a good tonal" sound. Darker, fuller, mellower and warmer timbre, especially in piano. It will improve over time. When you’re learning how to tune a clarinet, it’s important to be patient, precise, and readjust as needed. If your reed is new, it might need some extra time soaking in water to get the proper amount of moisture. It's basically a piece of pvc with a standard clarinet mouthpiece glued on. If not, try adjusting how much mouthpiece is in your mouth. When air is first blown in the clarinet, the air goes through the clarinet (blue arrows below) creating a sound. When you breathe correctly, you should feel your sides, stomach and even back expand with air. Avoid biting down on the mouthpiece too much. Playing Angle. Last Updated: October 8, 2020 Another thing is to play really long notes and try to focus them so that you have clear, well-supported notes. If none of these work talk to your local band director or take it to a music store. Take your clarinet to a music shop and see if they can adjust it. The lowest notes especially sound darker than those of the bassoon at the same pitch. Weak grip (mouthpiece movement) = unfocused. Registers of the Bb clarinet (sounds as written) Lower register (chalumeau register): D3 – E4. What do I do when my new clarinet squeaks? This will make sure the air goes only in the blowhole and out the end hole. If you've done it right, it should make a nice sound instead of a squeak or a weak noise. Carve a round top about a 1/2 inch tall and 3/4 inch in diameter. Try using a "double lip" embouchure by tucking the upper lip over the top teeth. Factors that affect focus: 1) air speed 2) tongue position and 3) grip. 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