Playing sixteenth notes on the clarinet?

Question:O.k. so I know what sixteenth notes are but I can't play them fast enough. I did past the sixteenth notes lessons(i played them rather slowly so it was easy), right now I'm on the back of the book(Rubank's Elementary Method) and I'm trying to play this song Hunter's Chorus.(beats per minute= 108). When I get to the sixteenth notes part, err i can't play it. It sounds like slurred staccatos. Is it possibly my embouchure? Or is there a way to phrase sixteenth notes(for example, staccato= tit, natural notes= dah/tah).

Thanks

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: O.k. so I know what sixteenth notes are but I can't play them fast enough. I did past the sixteenth notes lessons(i played them rather slowly so it was easy), right now I'm on the back of the book(Rubank's Elementary Method) and I'm trying to play this song Hunter's Chorus.(beats per minute= 108). When I get to the sixteenth notes part, err i can't play it. It sounds like slurred staccatos. Is it possibly my embouchure? Or is there a way to phrase sixteenth notes(for example, staccato= tit, natural notes= dah/tah).

Thanks

For those of us who aren't gifted with the ability to double tongue on clarinet, we use "rebound tonguing."

Think of your tongue as a drumstick:
Use the natural rebound of your tongue to your advantage. You have to be aware of your tongue's placement to achieve this--when you articulate the first note, stop your tongue before it reaches the "natural" position and articulate the second note. It's like a snare drummer about to play a buzz roll, if you ever watch them. It's a challenging technique to explain and even more difficult to practice. But, once you get it the first time you'll know it and it becomes easier.

If you're tonguing the quick notes, lighten up articulation--don't say "tah" or "too", but "dah" or "doo".

You can try the above answer and also try to keep a steady embouchure. You can also blow more air, keep it even too. Also, if you think it may be that the selection is too fast, slow it down and gradually speed up.( with a metronome...set it at 60 then move it to 62, then 68, and so on to 108, playing the section a few times until it is easier to play.)

OK! semiquavers are best done slow! So its good that's you have done slow practise but you need to do more. Start with semiquavers = 60 and concentrate on getting that staccato light and short. Don't forget to use the tip of the tongue on the tip of the reed! After a while increase the metronome slightly! Keep your embouchure firm and relaxed. Check in the mirror to see if you are moving your jaw forward! You may be moving your jaw in order to facilitate your staccato action! It is very hard to know what is exactly what the problem is without seeing you play. So if the problem keeps happening go to a Clarinet teacher for a lesson or two if you haven't got one!