Different Fascinating Ways to Play Clarinet

A clarinet player of six years will have some good pro tips to a beginner. The B flat clarinet can be a difficult instrument to play. While it's semi-easy to get a sound on a clarinet, the challenge is getting a rich, round sound. While the sound can vary depending on the style of playing, a rich tone is always important. Here are some tips on how to play the clarinet. One of the first important characteristics of being a clarinet player is having a good embouchure. Place your two top front teeth onto the flat surface opposite of the reed. Experiment how much of your mouthpiece you put in your mouth as you get to playing. About 0.4 inches to 0.6 inches from the tip should be enough. If this placement doesn't work for you, place your bottom lip so it goes over your bottom teeth. Try to stretch your lower lip out, which will flatten your chin and help you to make a better tone. Put your lips around the mouthpiece to make sure the air does not get out, but don't squeeze the reed too hard with your lips, or you'll squeak. Position the mouthpiece so it points down. If you point it forward, it will either make you sound sharp or flat. Sit up straight, and make sure your back does not touch the chair. Scoot forward slightly in your seat. This helps improve airflow and tone quality. This is very important because slouching will diminish the quality of your sound. Being able to keep your chin flat and blow fast, warm air into your clarinet to have a deep, round sound. If you've done it right, it should make a pleasing sound instead of a squeak or a weak noise. If not, try adjusting the amount of mouthpiece is in your mouth.

Some tips on being able to have a good sound while playing are that it is very important to choose a good reed. Most beginners start out on a 2 or a 2 1/2, but if you've been playing for a while and are moving into the higher register and altissimo notes, try a 3 or 3 1/2. Also, practice the open-throat tones. The F, F#, G, G#, A, and Bb in the staff are the open throat tones for the clarinet. This means that when playing these notes, you are plugging very few holes, and are usually only opening more. Sit up straight and use your diaphragm to push your air out to be able to play the open G. Try to relax your throat so it's nice and open while also not losing your embouchure. Keep in mind this takes years of practice and lots of muscle training. Similarly, make sure that you are filling the clarinet with warm air. While it is a small instrument, it does take some hard work to get the most sound out of it. When breathing fill up your lungs from the bottom up, and blow from your stomach, not your throat. Be sure to sit up straight and have the correct posture while playing. The most important tip anyone can give on playing the clarinet, or any instrument, is to never give up and keep practicing. With time you will be able to pass these tips to someone else who might be having trouble.