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Question: What is the best way to play very high notes on a traditional Bb clarinet!?
I can play to the high A no problem, but after that, I begin to have problems!.!.!. i need some help!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
You don't have to get a harder reed- you could easily play them with a 2 or 2!.5 reed if you need too!. Myself, I can't get much of a sound out of a 3 or higher!. :) So whatever you do, don't invest in harder reeds yet if you aren't ready!. Akthough, if you think you are ready, you may want to move up to a Vandoren 2!.5 or a Rico 3

Okay, well now that we have that settled, time to talk about embochure!. It helps to put more of the reed in yout mouth!. I keep my teeth on the top of the mouthpiece, for more support!.

Now try to losen your bottom jaw, and pull it out a little, and push on the bottom of the reed!. I've always noticed that when I play, the higher I go, the harder I press on my reed!.

Like they said, get a running start!. Start at B in the middle of the staff, and slowly go up while while focusing on your mouth and where you put it!. This can vary from person to person, put your mouth will automatically do this after a little while!.

Wah-la! You have done it! (hopefully, lol)

Hope that helps =)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well if you can't get past a high A then its probably just your embouchure is not quite strong enough yet!. I have met people with the same problem but they are mostly in their first year!. So if you are only in your first year of clarinet then it is normal to be having trouble hitting the higher notes!.

But if you really wanna get that high A then try this:

Use controlled air with lots of air pressure!.

Try climbing up your high notes past the A and that might work (I know it works for low notes!.)

Tighten that embouchure(making sure chin is flat)

Use a harder reed!. I say a 3 or 31/2 will be plenty(don't hurt yourself haha)

But if none of these work I think it is just a matter of playing longer!. It is most likely not your clarinet and is just a think that all you can do is work on it and in time it will come!. Try lots of long tones to help has well doing the mouth exercise TOOO EEEEE over and over daily!. It could help speed up the process!.

Hope this helps!!
Good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

I'm having the same problem with my clarinet!. A is not the highest a clarinet can go, so I'm not sure what's wrong!.Www@QuestionHome@Com