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How do you play a high F sharp on the clarinet?

How to play high notes on clarinet without going out of tune?

  • So I have a clarinet solo coming up and my problem is play C's & D's that are above the staff. I can somewhat play them sitting down but for my solo I must stand and the C sounds really out of tune when I can even get it to play, I can't even get the D. My reed is a 3 should I get a 3 1/2? Any tips on getting these notes would be wonderful!

  • Answer:

    A harder reed might help the higher stuff speak, but if you don't have a good mouthpiece for the reed strength, then it'll make everything else sound airy and out of tune, even hard to play. What I suggest is running chromatically from the G up to the D, firming up the corners of your mouth the higher you go. In different ranges of the clarinet, your mouth does different things. In the lowest register, you make an "oh" shape, to keep the sound going. In the mid range, you use "ah" to keep the tone good and the notes even. When you get in the high register (G+), you start by making your mouth say "Eee" and then change it from that to "You", so that you're make an "Eeuu" shape, which lets the notes speak easier. You might try a leather ligature, or also making sure that you're mouthpiece is firm in your barrel, otherwise the seal isn't complete and the high notes are harder to hit. Another good tip is to open up your throat, so that the column of your airstream is larger and more rounded and goes straight through the mouthpiece, to allow the higher notes to speak.

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A harder reed might help the higher stuff speak, but if you don't have a good mouthpiece for the reed strength, then it'll make everything else sound airy and out of tune, even hard to play. What I suggest is running chromatically from the G up to the D, firming up the corners of your mouth the higher you go. In different ranges of the clarinet, your mouth does different things. In the lowest register, you make an "oh" shape, to keep the sound going. In the mid range, you use "ah" to keep the tone good and the notes even. When you get in the high register (G+), you start by making your mouth say "Eee" and then change it from that to "You", so that you're make an "Eeuu" shape, which lets the notes speak easier. You might try a leather ligature, or also making sure that you're mouthpiece is firm in your barrel, otherwise the seal isn't complete and the high notes are harder to hit. Another good tip is to open up your throat, so that the column of your airstream is larger and more rounded and goes straight through the mouthpiece, to allow the higher notes to speak.

Ryan

Yes. Do try a harder reed. Harder reeds do help wih playing higher notes. All you can do is play with a tuner. Your teacher will help you with how much you should pull out at the joints. But a harder reed might just help you play them more in tune

Anna

Try a stronger reed or get another clarinet if it's not wood. Plastic never sounds good. I play clarinet and I had that problem too. I would get the 3 1/2 if I were you. Also, get the vandoren reeds. Those are the best.Your mouthpiece or ligature that's changed can help too. Good luck! :D

Esther One Direction

dont blow

kobe+dirk=kirk

Try a stronger reed or get another clarinet if it's not wood. Plastic never sounds good. I play clarinet and I had that problem too. I would get the 3 1/2 if I were you. Also, get the vandoren reeds. Those are the best.Your mouthpiece or ligature that's changed can help too. Good luck! :D

Esther

Yes. Do try a harder reed. Harder reeds do help wih playing higher notes. All you can do is play with a tuner. Your teacher will help you with how much you should pull out at the joints. But a harder reed might just help you play them more in tune

Anna

dont blow

kobe+dirk=kirk

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