Hey !

Started two month ago working the clarinet.

Took two private lessons, focused on breathwork, posture, embouchure. Helped a lot with clarion register.

Posture is a b*tch to focus on as I tend to bend my neck and tense shoulders, but I'm working on it.

Any feedback is welcome !

Hello!

I am blind and have been learning the clarinet for a year and a half.

I recently bought a used YCL-452S; it’s a Japanese clarinet made in the 80s. It plays in tune and has a very smooth key action, but one of the keys is giving me a headache.

Note:

I get confused by transposing instruments; I only play alone as a hobby, so I use the name of the sounding notes.

My clarinet is a standard Bb.

The problem:

The key that isn't working well is the low D key (or A in the second register). When I press it, no sound comes out, or the sound is too muffled.

If I press it hard, the sound comes out normally, but it requires a level of force that isn't physically comfortable, and I’m afraid of breaking or bending the key.

Another point is that if I press the low Eb key (or Bb in the second register), it really helps the sound come out—probably because that key works in conjunction with the one mentioned above.

Yet another thing that might be useful to know: I feel like the issue is worst when I'm playing A in the second register than when I'm playing the low D, but I'm not sure about that. It might be just because I'm new to the clarinet and spend more time practicing in the lower register.

My question:

Is there any adjustment I can make myself?

If so, where should I tinker? I'm pretty sure there are some screws to turn somewhere (;

I can't see, but I understand where the physical parts of the instrument are located.

I’m capable of doing all the adjustments on my guitars and basses, so I believe I can manage using just my sense of touch. There is an adjustment tool in the clarinet case that I believe is meant for this situation; it has a very fine tip.

——

Thanks!!!

I made a post a while ago about how my clarinet wouldn’t stop squeaking, and it did stop after a bridge key repair, but now it’s even worse, I can’t even practice, and band camp is in 6 days. I have a video attached. I’ve tried new reeds, old, undamaged reeds, safely cleaning it, using more/less cork grease, and everything posture/embouchure related. What else can I do???

In your opinion, what are some great clarinet audition pieces, and which ones should be avoided?
I’m talking high level, advance study or professional auditions. If we assume competence on the instrument, which pieces are great/terrible for auditions? And why?

I personally dislike the Mozart Concerto as an audition piece, but it is often the set piece for some reason…
Any problem with doing overplayed pieces like the Brahms sonata’s, or would you prefer something lesser known?

Very interested in your opinions! TIA

Amazing solo at the end of Mark Dover’s own arrangement of Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder.

I got a 7JB mouthpiece for folk playing and I get a pretty audible hiss no matter how much I tighten my lips around the mouthpiece. It quiets down but doesnt disappear when I press up on the reed with my bottom lip. Using a Rigotti 1.5 reed.

I started playing on a D'addario Reserve X5 and had no such issue.