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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. 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. 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. #3 and below generally do not support the upper registers well (3rd line B natural and above). This article has been viewed 199,295 times. There are synthetic reeds available which do not require the same amount of maintenance or replacement as standard cane reeds. Check the position of your reed. The ligature holds the reed onto the mouthpiece. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. To create this article, 51 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Use a clean dry cloth to wipe down your instrument. 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 … If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about how to assemble a clarinet, please leave them in the space provided below. You can find many recordings there. Step 1 Attach the body to the bell. Also, some important information about reeds and cork grease! Never tap the thin top edge of the reed, and never try not to touch the front, because the sensitive pores may get dirty and lose playability. 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." We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. I have NEVER had any luck with the reed last method. Much like a clarinet, a saxophone has a little silver metal clamp that hooks around the reed and mouthpiece. Follow. This will not always be necessary, but is important when you first get your clarinet. Many reed players will moisten their reeds by sucking on them. By using our site, you agree to our. Clarinet is a woodwind instrument with a single-reed mouthpiece with an almost cylindrical bore, and a flared bell. A pplying cork grease will help eliminate the resistance and smoothen the process. They have recordings of various instruments playing songs. They can play almost any type of music and they are fun to learn. References. Putting on a clarinet reed may seem very basic on the surface, but when you’re trying to teach 30 eleven-year-olds to do it, problems often arise. It is recommended that there should always be some grease on the corks. Another trick is to tighten your embouchure. While this is a common way of moistening your reed, you do risk mangling the reeds on your teeth. How to Assemble the Clarinet; Preparing to Play; Benny Goodman; As a new beginner, I'm sure you're wondering how to assemble the woodwind instrument. Never use any type of metal polish or liquid on the instrument, which can damage the finish and ruin the horn. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. However, some people may start at the top with the mouthpiece and work their way down. Next, remove the first joint from the case. Last Updated: July 2, 2020 Bob Draznik . Likewise, some players like to attach the mouthpiece bridge and barrel to the instrument before putting on the reed. To create this article, 51 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. 0 Comment Comment. Take your reed and begin moistening and softening it in your mouth. A short time of 10 seconds is more than enough, but leaving it in the water for longer will not harm it. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 199,295 times. if it is new, wait atleast 1 min. Take the bell and second joint and twist together until all the way in. Tighten the nobs on the ligature until it's tight enough to stay on. What position do I put the reed in water? Place the base or stock of the reed into 1/2 to 1 inch of water. Why? The reed is the second most important factor in producing a sound on the clarinet, second only to you, the player. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I'm just learning. By using our site, you agree to our. They can play almost any type of music and they are fun to learn. For lots of players, it's a hassle to prepare a tiny glass of water to soak their reeds in the band room. This page deals with "on the mouthpiece" adjustment. It's probably best to do this at home, in a safe place, not in the band room at school. Try intermittent fasting with expert advice. Slide the reed between the mouthpiece and ligature (avoid touching the fragile tip of the reed). 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. 2. See Step 1 to learn how to assemble the barrel, organize the mouthpiece, and keep your horn in good working order. How do I know if I'm using too much air or too little air? Some Clarinets have only one body; these are a cheaper version of the Bass Clarinet. Watch my video on Reed Assembly for Saxophones and Clarinets for 2 ways to put the reed onto a mouthpiece. To assemble or take apart a clarinet, you need to know what all its parts are and what kinds of accessories are needed to help keep it clean and in good working condition. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. These will sometimes attach on the back side of the instrument, opposite the reed. Tighten the ligature to secure the reed’s placement. When you remove the ligature after playing, leave it loosened slightly to make it easier to use it again next time. If you play every day, you only need to grease it about once a week. The teacher checked the clarinet, but everything was in order. One way is not more wrong or more right. by Mandi Gin. Ensure that the reed is vertical and aligned with the mouthpiece. Take your reed and begin moistening and softening it in your mouth. Then, grab the bell. INGREDIENTS: clarinet, reed, chair, case How to Assemble a Clarinet. Once you start playing your clarinet, you will need to know how to maintain it. 5 Likes 2 Comments . How do I clean the clarinet if water has touched the wooden horn and now it's stained? by Grace Siebenaler. Always put your unused reeds into your reed protectors. 598 Views. Reed strength is generally determined by the type of mouthpiece you are playing on. For the beginner, choosing a reed can be a bit daunting, as there are so many brands. It needs to be able to vibrate and buzz when you play. 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 ! Experiment with how saturated you let the reed get, and see what produces the best resonance for you. If you are using too little air, it will be quiet or not make any sound. % of people told us that this article helped them. How To Assemble Your Clarinet •Prepare the reed. The man is holding the upper joint in HIS left hand (our right side of the screen) and the lower joint in HIS right hand (our left side of the screen). To create this article, 31 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. 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. When taking the clarinet part be careful not to let the screws fall out; they are extremely hard to get back in. This step won't be necessary once you've … When you buy your reeds, they should come in protectors. Take the largest two sections and twist together- don't just push it will be a lot harder- the smaller one twists into the top of the larger one. Squeaking can be caused by your clarinet not being put together properly or your mouth being too far down on the mouthpiece. Embed. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. • Check the corked joints of the clarinet; if they're dry, rub a small amount of cork grease on each. % of people told us that this article helped them. It would be possible, but it would impact the timbre (sound) of the instrument and the quality it plays. Look for a proper size. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, When a reed breaks, throw it away, or it will affect your music dramatically (squeaking). 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. Even just a thin crack can really mess up your. Sick of dieting? Step #1 - Open the case right side up, and pick up the mouthpiece and make certain that is is well taken care of and clean. Put the ligature onto the mouthpiece and reed. 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. Clarinet reed adjustment can happen two different ways: adjusting it on the mouthpiece and adjusting it with a reed knife. 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. Never leave your reed on the mouthpiece in the case as it will warp and mold may develop on the flat side of the reed. 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. Put cork grease on the cork slabs on the end of the clarinet parts. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Also, how do I know if I've positioned the reed correctly? Then, pick up your saxophone by the bell and slide the neck piece into the body. I am a beginner. Slide the reed between the ligature and mouthpiece, with the flat part facing in. Grab the end and gently pull it through. (Side note – when your reed starts turning all shades of green, pink (not from lipstick), and black, it’s way past time to change that reed!) Reed's are sensitive and delicate. 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. After removing the bell and mouthpiece of the horn, drop the weighted end of the swab down through the horn. 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