Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. We've assembled some helpful pictures and a guide below. If it doesn't fit, it's probably the wrong sized reed. 2. Apply minimal pressure to the tip of the reed. How to assemble a clarinet? A short time of 10 seconds is more than enough, but leaving it in the water for longer will not harm it. Most people put the reed in their mouths and suck on it . All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, When a reed breaks, throw it away, or it will affect your music dramatically (squeaking). However, some people may start at the top with the mouthpiece and work their way down. How do I clean the clarinet if water has touched the wooden horn and now it's stained? Make sure to twist each piece into place gently, without rushing or pushing them too hard. Learn more... Before you can play the clarinet, you have to put a reed on it. It's common to prepare the mouthpiece and attach it to the barrel, then screw on that assembly to the top joint of the clarinet before attaching the barrel, as well. How much time does it take for the water to wet the reed? Step 1 - Grease the Corks. Here I am demonstrating how to use the Vandoren case. Some people choose to keep their reeds in an empty medicine bottle (with cap) filled with water until it saturates (sinks to the bottom). We use cookies to make wikiHow great. For the beginner, choosing a reed can be a bit daunting, as there are so many brands. by Alex Westlake. In other words, the reed is what creates the acoustic waves that actually produce sound. #3 and below generally do not support the upper registers well (3rd line B natural and above). Learn about topics such as How to Clean and Maintain a Clarinet, How to Assemble a Clarinet, How to Avoid and Remedy Squeaking on the Clarinet, and more with our helpful step-by-step instructions with photos and videos. Try intermittent fasting with expert advice. Another reason beginners keep the reed on is because the screws for the ligature are either too tight to move and they can’t take the reed off, or the l igature does not fit properly and their teacher was just barely able to get the reed to stay on. How do I know if I'm using too much air or too little air? Step 1: Take the Clarinet out of the case. If you have a leather one, the screw goes on the back with leather against the base of the reed. Try not to drop your clarinet or clarinet case, as the clarinet can be damaged easily even when it is in its case. How do I know when I can stop using cork grease? We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. To create this article, 31 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. 2. Step #7 - Once your reed is moist, center your reed on the flat part of the mouthpiece with only a tiny amount of mouthpiece visible above the reed. Last Updated: November 17, 2020 1. See Step 1 to learn how to assemble the barrel, organize the mouthpiece, and keep your horn in good working order. Take the bell and second joint and twist together until all the way in. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. They have recordings of various instruments playing songs. Clarinet Reed Strength. They can play almost any type of music and they are fun to learn. The capillary action of the reed will pull water from the base to the tip, despite gravity. Regardless of your opinion, it’s important to understand that brand new reeds, in addition to proper care and maintenance of your clarinet, can help make your instrument produce the best sound possible. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Place the base or stock of the reed into 1/2 to 1 inch of water. Place the reed on the mouthpiece so the flat side of the reed is against the mouthpiece opening. It may be small, but the reed is one of the most important parts of the clarinet. I play bass clarinet and I always have tons of ait leaking out from around the mouth piece. It is recommended that there should always be some grease on the corks. Clarinets are beautiful wind instruments. Carefully remove the pieces, beginning with the reed, ligature, and mouthpiece and working down to the bell. Remove the reed from its protective case, and put it in your mouth. Then, grab the bell. Follow. The tip of the reed is quite fragile and easily broken. Before you can play the clarinet, you have to put a reed on it. However you assemble the clarinet, you'll probably want to assemble the mouthpiece last, because the reed needs some time to moisten before you play it. I do that all the time and it works! Holding the second joint close to the bell with your right hand, slowly twist and push the first joint into the second. When you're first starting out, though, push the barrel all the way down until you've got some sense of your horn and the way it needs to be tuned. A clarinet will consist of primarily four major pieces that are put together by cork-covered joints, as well as a mouthpiece, which is made up of a few smaller parts. This article has been viewed 199,295 times. This will make assembly easy and keep the joints of your clarinet in good condition. The mouthpiece should peek out only slightly above the tip of the reed. One of the most important parts of your clarinet is the reed. Many clarinetists feel that the sound produced by these is not as good or pure as cane reeds, but that is often affected by the technique of the player and the preference of the listener. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. This article has been viewed 132,160 times. It usually just depends on the size of the hands of the clarinet player: some players find working with the tiny mouthpiece too small and prefer having the barrel to hold onto while attaching the reed. This article has been viewed 199,295 times. If I twist it too hard, I worry that I will break the lower section keys. It depends on what you are more comfortable with. You know you've positioned the reed correctly when it's straight in its spot and only sticking above the mouthpiece ever-so-slightly. It needs to be able to vibrate and buzz when you play. Clarinet Care Learn everything you want about Clarinet Care with the wikiHow Clarinet Care Category. The teacher checked the clarinet, but everything was in order. You can choose to either roll your top lip over your top teeth or just leave your teeth on the mouthpiece - rolling is harder. If you are using too little air, it will be quiet or not make any sound. Assemble the mouthpiece and reed properly. Also, some important information about reeds and cork grease! You know it is time to go up a size in reeds when a new one wears out in less than ten hours worth of play or you try to play and the reed does not immediately respond - "hesitant reed syndrome." Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Two minutes before band practice starts is not the best time for this experiment. This will make assembly easier and reduce the chances of damaging the corks and clarinet. video next step. It's very important to always wipe down the instrument, after each use, if you want to extend the life of it as much as possible. Run it back through 3-4 times, until the inside is dry. Grab the end and gently pull it through. • With the upper joint in your left palm, use your left … To do this, distribute the grease lightly onto the cork. I find that real reeds are easier to work with, but once again, go with whatever you have the most experience and comfort with. This will protect them and dry them. If you have a wooden clarinet, it is advisable that you not use pad savers. Generally, clarinet players will assemble the clarinet by starting with the bell, then attaching the lower joint, the upper joint, the barrel, and the mouthpiece, in that order, although there's no wrong way to put it together. Embed. To create this article, 51 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Should I use a plastic or real reed for my bass clarinet during marching season? If you don't cover the tone holes completely, this might cause the squeaking. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Once you start playing your clarinet, you will need to know how to maintain it. Last Updated: July 2, 2020 Take the bell and second joint and twist together until all the way in. before starting, place the reed in your mouth for atleast 30sec. ... putting the mouthpeice and reed on the rest- it goes on top of the barrel- TWIST ON- and when on move it round so that the reed, break (long silver key on back) and thumb rest are in a straight line. Also, how do I know if I've positioned the reed correctly? If your clarinet is new, you will need to apply a fair amount of grease to encourage the joints to smoothly ease together for the first time. Identify and inspect the individual pieces of the clarinet. I find it very difficult to disassemble the lower part and the bell. Remove the bell and second joint from the case. Hasty or careless preparation can cause poor resonance, difficulty playing some registers, and makes you do weird things to your embouchure (your mouth's shaping and muscle control) just to get a tone. INGREDIENTS: Clarinet, Case, Reed, Ligature How to Put Together a Clarinet. In our case, we will explain how to put together the cheaper version. Line the tip of the reed to the tip of the mouthpiece I prefer to leave a small gap but this is purely preference seek advice from your clarinet tutor if you are in any doubt. This is the way I assemble my clarinet. If you're playing in a marching band in the rain, use a plastic clarinet. After removing the bell and mouthpiece of the horn, drop the weighted end of the swab down through the horn. This will cause the bridge key to lift up. If you're joining the ranks of the clarinet player, learning to assemble and maintain your instrument is the first order of the day. Even if your hands are clean, the natural oils from your skin can break down and stain the instrument over time. If you must carry it with only one hand, put that hand in the bell (fingers, not thumb) and shoulder it like a rifle. Clarinets don't like the moisture that will remain in the instrument after a long playing session, making it important that you swab the inside of the clarinet thoroughly after playing it. Be careful with wood clarinets; if too much water gets on it, or you play it in the rain, it could rot. Take a reed out of it's box. It would be possible, but it would impact the timbre (sound) of the instrument and the quality it plays. Find some "premium" cork grease. It will play better if it is wet. Again, some players have different philosophies about when to attach the mouthpiece to the barrel. Take your reed and begin moistening and softening it in your mouth. As the water reaches the middle of the reed, where the slice begins, take the reed out and quickly wet the end into which you blow. Try holding the lower section keys and then twisting carefully. Some musicians think reed replacement is a money-grab by reed manufacturers, while others understand that it’s just a trick of the trade. The bark (the hard, shiny part of the reed) should be facing outward. Clarinets have a single reed which, together with the mouthpiece onto which the reed is fixed, makes the air in the instrument vibrate when you blow into it. Moisture breeds bacteria, bad smells, and can break down the pads on the instrument over time. It's probably best to do this at home, in a safe place, not in the band room at school. You want it tight enough to keep the reed secure, but not tight enough to dent or warp it. The bass clarinet, which is much bigger than the average and has an upwardly curved bell, can be frequently utilized in modern bands and orchestras. Just practice them by starting at a lower note and progressing up to the note you're trying to play. While this is a common way of moistening your reed, you do risk mangling the reeds on your teeth. Ensure that the reed is vertical and aligned with the mouthpiece. Put cork grease on the cork slabs on the end of the clarinet parts. The reed is the small piece of wood that is placed between your tongue and the instrument. Baidu affirme pouvoir cloner maintenant la voix de n’importe quelle personne avec un échantillon de quelques secondes moyennant ce système. fi... 5 7. Explore › guides › music › › When you remove the ligature after playing, leave it loosened slightly to make it easier to use it again next time. Step 2: Begin by taking the bell, and gently pushing it onto the second joint of the Clarinet until both pieces are together securely. Even just a thin crack can really mess up your. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. In general, handle the reed as little as possible. Reed protectors will also make sure they don't bend. For lots of players, it's a hassle to prepare a tiny glass of water to soak their reeds in the band room. Putting a reed onto a clarinet can be tricky, as the reed is delicate and thin. Hold the first joint in your left hand, with your fingers over the ring holes on the front of the clarinet as shown. Ricos are made using pressed cane; Vandorens, solid cane. Parmi les projets afférents figurent ClariNet et DeepVoice 3. This means that it uses one reed that vibrates against the mouthpiece to make sound. Connect a bell with a lower joint by gently twisting onto the lower joint. Try not to exceed 15 minutes of playing with a brand new reed. Over-tightening can strain the mouthpiece, so be gentle. They can play almost any type of music and they are fun to learn. Clarinet reed adjustment can happen two different ways: adjusting it on the mouthpiece and adjusting it with a reed knife. These will sometimes attach on the back side of the instrument, opposite the reed. Always put your unused reeds into your reed protectors. Lastly, go to your music teacher or music store to get your clarinet checked. by Grace Siebenaler. Bob Draznik . Once it’s fixed to the instrument, you should play just a little bit, as a way of breaking the reed in. If you play every day, you only need to grease it about once a week. Neither is really "better" -- either is fine for a beginner, while you may want to experiment with different reeds when you have more playing experience. Also, some reed sizes don't work well with some people's shape of mouth, as well as their mouthpieces. You just insert these into your clarinet and close the case. Put the mouthpiece on the barrel and put the reed on from there, without the rest of the clarinet attached.The advantage of this is that you don’t have the extra weight of the clarinet to cope with. Much like a clarinet, a saxophone has a little silver metal clamp that hooks around the reed and mouthpiece. There are several different designs. If you have a metal ligature, the screws go on the same side of the clarinet as the reed. Put cork grease on the cork slabs on the end of the clarinet parts. While the clarinet is rooted in ancient single reed "shepherd's instruments" played by the Greeks, the modern clarinet took shape in Europe sometime in the 18th century. Where these two parts meet there should be cork to hold it together well. Apply the cork grease to all four corks. When taking the clarinet part be careful not to let the screws fall out; they are extremely hard to get back in. Well, my mom just bought me one today, and I'm confused how to assemble, and I want to practice today, because band is tomorrow, and Im going to get embarassed ahha, well thanks ! the answer is only really relevant if I relate it to the mouthpiece. You do not have to use cork grease every time you assemble the clarinet, which can build up on the clarinet and make a mess. Put the ligature onto the mouthpiece and reed. This article has been viewed 132,160 times. Clarinet is a woodwind instrument with a single-reed mouthpiece with an almost cylindrical bore, and a flared bell. One way is not more wrong or more right. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. In lesson 2, we learned how to assemble the mouthpiece, barrel and reed. • Check the corked joints of the clarinet; if they're dry, rub a small amount of cork grease on each. Tighten the nobs on the ligature until it's tight enough to stay on. If you have a different kind just be careful of the thin tip and handle the reed by the thick end only. Carefully twist and push the cork end of the second joint into the bell, turning it back and forth until it is all the way in. Another trick is to tighten your embouchure. The ligature screws should be tightened securely enough to keep the reed from slipping, but not so tight that they are difficult to unfasten. Use your thumbs adjust it to its proper placement; Cover the mouthpiece with a mouthpiece cap until you are ready to play; Disassemble your clarinet: After swabbing, remove these pieces in reverse. How to assemble your Clarinet Tom Stanyard Updated March 06, 2019 15:55. (There are many different types of ligatures, made of many different materials, … Why does my clarinet sometime produces a squeaky sound when I play C and above? How To Assemble The Clarinet. The capillary action of the reed will pull water from the base to the tip. Supplies. The clarinet is a single reed instrument. Every now and then, leave the clarinet's case open overnight to let the instrument dry out more thoroughly. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. In order to set up a clarinet, make sure all of the pieces of the clarinet are ready for use, clean and in good working condition. It has a warm tone and suits a variety of musical styles especially classical and jazz music. What kind of sound does the clarinet make? wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Clarinets are beautiful wind instruments. There is no such thing as an old reed- try soaking for a few seconds- you'll find it plays as good as new. Plastic reeds can be troublesome at times, but real reeds may also act up due to weather. The condition of a reed is also very important because when they break and you continue to use it, you will notice a change in sound as well as the air flow. 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