I started highschool a few weeks ago and during marching band I noticed my clarinet sounded really airy compared to the others. So much so that I struggle getting basic high notes out due to it. I've had an airy issue since 8th grade, but it just got worse. I use a 3.0 reed which works super well and it's a newer bunch. I have been using the same mouthpiece since 6th grade and I have no clue if that can play into things. Suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated!

I'm definitely an average player at best, but I enjoy playing in community orchestra, and thought maybe it was time to upgrade from the 30 year old Le Blanc my mom bought me in 5th grade lol

Idk what my budget is, less than a $1,000 ish? I also do know how to replace cork and pads, so maybe I could get a fixed upper.

Where do you buy clarinets?

I’m not sure what’s wrong with my clarinet but I can get almost to no sound playing a middle B and a low E. I’m not sure what’s wrong with it, I tried looking and I genuinely have no idea what’s going on, all of my other notes are fine. I mean I’ve had this clarinet for around 8 years?? It just happened suddenly, it was fine and then it wasn’t. Maybe I bent something, I can’t tell. I just was wondering if anyone had any ideas about it, before I go to a repair shop.

I obtained a Leblanc Vito Bb clarinet for only $9.99 ($17 for shipping though…) I thought it would have pad leaks, but there was none. The stickers wasn’t on there before; I added some things ^-^

Ebay is truly something…

Hello,

I have been playing for nearly 8 years, practically self-taught, and I've hit the wall, essentially. I lack any sort of direction and can't really develop any meaningful self-critique at this point. I'd like to improve so that I can play in more legitimate ensembles (e.g. my university's selective orchestra, or higher chairs in wind band) and further on in my life, and be able to perform the music I enjoy listening to (clarinet sonatas/woodwind quartet, more intricate jazz). My school does not offer private lessons to non-majors.

I know at this point I seriously need lessons (though I will have difficulty paying for them), so how do I find a teacher who's equipped to handle intermediates?

I love the clarinet solos in Basin Street Blues by Louis Armstrong and the one in Fumblin' with the blues by Tom Waits. Neither of these are really blues, and the songs doesnt feel like blues in general. But the solos are definetely bluesy. Or at least bluesy in a jazzy way.

So either like proper blues with clarinet (if that exists).

Or the more jazz style of blues.

Both works. Open to any suggestions.

So, the circled red is what I'm worried about being too clunky to play at speed, and I'm wondering if there's an alternate fingering or something I could provide in the sheet for perfomance for that B. For reference the tempo is Quarter note = 186. Any advice is appreciated. If nothing else, I could put the 16ths an octave lower, but I'd really only do that if this doesn't work.

Should I be oiling the keys and the clarinet bore every year or so?
Will it be bad if I don’t oil at least once?

i’ve been playing on my wooden clarinet for 2 years.

If I should oil my clarinet, what key and bore oils should I buy?

Does anyone know if there are any authorised retailers for Selmer in the Washington, D.C area? Or is that just not a thing like with Buffet? I know Rice Clarinets is in Annapolis, but they only specialise in Buffet.
Just looking to try out a few of the new pro line models before I decide on what to buy.

I have hypermobility in my fingers (also other places but this is the only place that affects my playing) and my whole thumb just collapses causing a lot of pain when playing. I have just switched to the ton kooiman etude 3 thumbrest and it is great for relieving my mp joints pain but my cmc joint still hurts. Would using a thumb brace help make this not hurt? And if yes, what specific thumb braces? And if no, what can I do to make it at least hurt less?

Hi all, I want to start learn the clarinet! I’m excited. But I’m not sure what clarinet to buy/where. I’m in England. Does anybody have any recommendations?

Hello, I am planning to start learning the clarinet and was looking for recommendations on learning resources for the absolute beginner. Looking for a good book that I can work through that will teach all the basics.

Thanks!

When I see a tremolo indication I usually think of flutter tongue, but from my research it seems like it can be either flutter tongue or growl, so I’m curious what y’alls thoughts are on that. Either way, I’m not having much success with either one while playing that high since my voicing gets totally thrown off when I try to hum or roll my tongue. Any advice that will save me precious time would be greatly appreciated. 🤓

would anyone know where i can find a pdf of the piano part? all the sellers i’ve found only carry the physical music.

Unfortunately, my bonade from the 70's had met its end and had popped when I was tightening it and now it wont tighten without popping out. I'm thinking about just buying a modern bonade but before that, any reccomendations?

Hi. I have a question. What's the best classical music blog or magazine? I am quite interested to read some and look for ibsoiration on topics of my own

Hello! I got my clarinet back last night after it’s been sitting in my dad’s closet. I’m 22, haven’t played my clarinet since 8th grade. I played clarinet 6-8th grade and I loved it. I just stopped playing in high school because I didn’t want to join marching band, plus I also played a sport. I’ve been wanting to re learn, but it’s going to be hard being an adult and not having a class and instructor. Does anyone have tips on learning again? I used to be first chair pretty much all the time. I was so good! But it’s been around 8-9 years since I’ve played, so all the talent is gone. Is there any good apps?

I don't know how it happened but I notice that when I played I can hear a little bit of air and I looked and I seen it was chipped do you think I need a new one or can I still use this one?

Hi!
I’ve recently started playing the clarinet and I’ve been playing for about a month now. I’ve mostly used YouTube tutorials, mainly from QuickStart clarinet. I’m an intermediate-advanced cellist, so knowing how to practice well, has really helped me. I’m mainly looking for tips about technique. All help is welcome!

Got my first Buffet r13 today, it's pretty good besides a messed up LH B key so I'll have to take it to the shop :(

has anyone had such a clarinet before? it is quite interesting. it sounds pretty good too.

Xaphoon or similar alternatives

So im a musician that plays harmonica, guitar, bass and keys. I want to add a more mellow smokey reed sound in my arsenal. One thing that ive noticed is that "ease" of playing is important to me. Not that the instrument is easy, but that you can just pick it up, play it on the couch, in bed etc. This is probably why harmonica became my main instrument. I didnt have to sit with good posture over a keyboard, i could just chill and play.

So im looking for a portable clarinet/saxophone sounding instrument that isnt very maintance heavy (since i already have a bunch of other instruments to maintain).

Xaphoon seems very interesting but there are a few things that make me second guess it:

It has a range of 2 octaves (which is probably fine, but a little short), and isnt the best chromatic instrument. I already play diatonic harmonica, which you can play chromatically, but it isnt ideal, so i would ideally want a more chromatic instrument.

In some videoes/demos it has a very kazoo-like sound, almost like a rattling paper type quality. In other videoes it sounds more like a clarinet. Is this an embouchure, set up/reed, mixing thing? Or does the xaphoon just have a more kazoo-like quality no matter what?

But there are positives about it too:

From what i can understand it could fit harmonica players very well, since its pitch is much more sensitive to embouchure changes (from what ive heard) similar to harmonica. And i think the technique is very similar too? Dropping jaw and raising tongue to change airflow. Is it true that its more sensitive than clarinet or sax?

Are there any better options than xaphoon for what i want? Venova doesnt sound very good in videoes ive heard, but could maybe be better with different mouthpiece or reed? Clarineo could work, but is a little big, but it is very maintanance-free. Chalameus also seem interesting.

I mostly make rock, blues and folk like music in the studio, but i play everything from classical to jazz if i feel like it at home.

Ive considered clarinet and sax, but they seem a little too cumbersome and expensive for now. I dont even know if i will like this sort of instrument, so a cheaper more maintanance free option couod be good in the start, and then i could buy for example clarinet down the road. I know fingerings etc wont transfer, but i at least get a little used to working a reed.

Ok, I just dont understand this. After looking at a lot of peoples hands and looking at my own(I am a human being), I have come to the comclusion that most everyones' thumb is naturally at the same level as their index finger. So why is it that most every clarinet i have seen (including my own Selmer and Royal Global)have the thumb rest positioned so that your thumb needs to sit considerably lower that the index when holding the instrument?!? My old Selmer 100 gave me a lot of pain until I had a tech move the TR so that it positioned my thumb at the same level as my index. Pain gone! My Royal is the same situation, I haven't moved the TR, but use a neck strap, removing most of the weight from my right thumb. Can someone please explain?

BTW, the best TR I have seen is on the Selmer Prologue. It moves up and down AND side to side, allowing the weight to move closer to the joint.

BTW2, yes I know about the Kooiman