Where does the tongue go on a clarinet?

The clarinet is played with a high tongue position. The tongue should be parallel to the roof of the mouth, arched and high. Use the syllable “Shhhh" to get the tongue in the right place.

How should your mouth be when playing clarinet?

Why does my clarinet keeps squeaking?

Too much air at once.

The clarinet requires a lot of air, but if you use too much at once, it causes the instrument to produce an unexpected overtone, aka a squeak. Keep your air fast and steady for an even sound across all registers.

Why can't I play high notes on clarinet?

Chances are if the inner and outer embouchures are both set, have the student take in much more mouthpiece then they think they need. They should be able to take in enough mouthpiece where the low note doesn't “squeak” on its own but the high notes pops out easily.

Why can't I play AB on my clarinet?

The most common problem is the crow's foot that was mentioned. If it is out of adjustment in a way that the B key doesn't close the C key, then the B will stop working before the low E. Only a bigger leak will also stop the E from working.

Anchor Tonguing on Clarinet

How can I make my clarinet sound better?

Should you puff your cheeks when playing clarinet?

Clarinetists with underdeveloped embouchure muscles may puff their cheeks. They will puff their cheeks because their embouchure muscles are still not strong enough or they are tired. In order to fix puffed cheeks, encourage the students to take a break when their embouchure is sore.

How hard is the clarinet to learn?

The clarinet is no harder or easier than any other orchestral instrument that a beginner may learn. It is the usual case with an instrument that you blow that arguably the hardest part of learning is getting a sound out in the first place.

Can you double tongue on a clarinet?

Yes! double tonguing is possible on the clarinet, and yes! you can learn to use it with similar fluency with which you use your single tongue.

Why does my clarinet sound fuzzy?

Slow air speed at the beginning of a note is also a common problem. When the air speed is too slow or not voiced with "ee" the sound may start with a "scoop," be fuzzy and/or unforcused. Have students practice starting notes using a regernece pitch tuner as a model for clarity. (See Louder Clear/Softer Clear Exercise).

Why does my clarinet sound Spitty?

In regards to the tonguing you are likely either letting too much of the tongue touch the reed and/or are tonguing too low on the reed. Try using a "tee" syllable and be sure the very tip of the tongue is touching just below the very tip of the reed. This should help to create a cleaner articulation sound.

How do you break in a new clarinet?

Is the clarinet harder than a flute?

Both have their easier and not so easy aspects : I found it easier to get an acceptable sound to start with on the clarinet, and also found the posture rather easier. Once you're going on the flute though, a lot of the basics will fall into place with practice (and good guidance).

What is the highest note a clarinet can play?

The clarinet has a range of four octaves!

On the clarinet, playing C and blowing hard produces a high G. The clarinet is the only wind instrument that can reach such high notes. With more tone holes than the recorder and an extended register, the clarinet takes full advantage of this property.

What is the lowest note a clarinet can play?

The lowest register, from low written E to the written B♭ above middle C (B♭₄), is known as the chalumeau register (named after the instrument that was the clarinet's immediate predecessor).

How long should clarinet reeds last?

A good rule of thumb is you should replace your reed every 2-4 weeks, no matter how often you're playing your instrument. You may want to replace your reeds more frequently if you're practicing several hours each day. Some reeds also may not last as long as others, every reed plays slightly differently.

What makes a clarinet solo dirty?

From two sounds with equal quantity of overtones, the one with less harmonics (less overtones that are integer multiples of the fundamental) will tend to be perceived as dirtier. Loudness of the overtones.