Help With Clarinet Squeaking...!?

Question:it's really annoying me, I can play most notes fine except for ones that you have to use thumb key. It's so hard!!! Like when I'll play a B, it'll first come out as a squeak, or maybe i'll get NO sound.. then maybe after 3 more tries it'll sound normal. Do you have any advice/tips for me to stop this squeaking? I really don't know what I'm doing wrong

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: it's really annoying me, I can play most notes fine except for ones that you have to use thumb key. It's so hard!!! Like when I'll play a B, it'll first come out as a squeak, or maybe i'll get NO sound.. then maybe after 3 more tries it'll sound normal. Do you have any advice/tips for me to stop this squeaking? I really don't know what I'm doing wrong

First of all, I do not recommend plastic reeds. They aren't something you should ever use! They sound awful.

At first the second register is a very hard concept on the clarinet. Try some slurred twelfth exercises (this is the technical term). I'm in college studying the clarinet and we still all use slurred twelfth. They are how I warm-up, and really help with keeping the two registers smooth and pretty.

They are very simple. For example, lets have you try playing a D with the register key (what you called the thumb key). First finger a low G (this is how to finger a high D without the register key). Now, play the G very strong with lots of air. Think of playing the G while you roll your thumb ever so slightly to open the register key while still keeping the thumb hole closed. You shouldn't change your embouchure (the way you form your mouth) at all, the only thing different is that you should think of faster and stronger air going through your horn. You can do this with any note that uses the thumb key, they all have a "bass" note, or a note they are based off of. Actually, that's why they're called slurred twelfths. Count the notes: G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D it's twelve notes. So, you are slurring (not tonguing) twelve notes up from G, if you count G.

The problem I would bet you are having is moving your fingers from the key holes. Even if you move them a tiny bit you will get a squeak. So if you think of the lower note, like when you try to play a D think of the G, your fingers might not move so much. Also, practice, slowly, rolling your thumb slightly to push the register key, my bet is your thumb is most often the culprit for moving.

I don't really agree as fully with the people who talked about your reed being dry. While this may be an issue, and you should always try to keep your reed wet, the biggest issue most people have is with moving fingers.

Feel free to contact me with any problems you are having or questions you have with the clarinet. If I don't know the answer I know plenty of people I can ask. :)

sounds like a reed problem, I moisten mine in my mouth before putting it on, also try a plastic reed. check your positioning of the reed as well

Make sure that your reed is moist and is completely intact. If it is even chipped slightly, it can cause sqeaking.

There is also the possibililty that there is something wrong with the keys (ie, a screw fell out and now the key doesn't press down).

it could be youre embouchre that's making you squeak, make sure you're not puffing your cheeks out, & that you have just enough mouthpiece in your mouth, practice in front of a mirror. it could also be the strength of your reed that is the problem.

defenitly check your read I use to be a saxophone player and everytime i didnt put my reed right it wouls squeek, so check it.