What worked for me learning lip pressure is blowing up a balloon. You use a very light touch of the lips, just enough so the balloon doesn't fail to inflate. You can do the same on the clarinet by not allowing your teeth to touch any part of the mouthpiece. Try blowing a few notes like that, using the softest lip pressure you can without air escaping, or the note failing to play. You should feel the reed vibrating so much it tickles your bottom lip. This is GOOD. Using that minimal "balloon" lip pressure as something to compare to, now use a proper embouchure while still trying to use minimal lip pressure. Think of blowing up that balloon, but with your top teeth gently resting on the mouthpiece. The 2nd thing is making sure enough of the mouth piece is in your mouth to even play the high notes in the first place. Keeping all fingers off the keys, try to play the open C in the higher register. You aren't using the register key, you're using the fast air Michelle is talking about, and not touching anything else. If you can't get that high C to sound, put a little more mouthpiece into your mouth, and try again. Once you can get that high note to play with hands off, now add the register key and cover the thumb hole to go down a note, then start adding in the index, middle, ring, going lower with every note, then go back up until it's just the register key by itself again. If you start to drop notes out, hands off again and repeat until you play that high note with hands off. This will help train you to tell if you aren't using enough reed, or not enough air support.

she is such a great teacher

@abigayleamazingYT

3 жыл бұрын

Ikr

@Enes-wj5xq

2 жыл бұрын

@@abigayleamazingYT Ikr

I've watched a couple of your videos and I wanted to thank you for posting them. I am 35, and recently decided to get back to playing clarinet after a 17 year hiatus. I was fairly serious about clarinet when I was in high school, but didn't go beyond a semester in college. Your videos have been so helpful in getting me back up to speed and I look forward to getting through more of them! Thanks!

@ClarinetMentors

10 жыл бұрын

Hi Bruce - I'm glad you enjoy these videos. I've known many people who come back to clarinet after years away. I believe the body retains a great deal of knowledge on how to play, and after a couple of months you will be amazed at how much has come back to you. Good luck!

I use Vandoren V12's (and recommend them to most of my students). Sometimes I use 3 1/2+, and sometimes 4. I use a Lomax mouthpiece on my Bb and a Backun mouthpiece for everything else. My ligature is a Bonade inverted, although I have it on my list to actively play more since I have not done that for some time.

Best clarinet teaching videos I've ever seen! Thanks.

@ClarinetMentors

9 жыл бұрын

Richard Ingalls Thanks for the kind words Richard! You just made my day...

Thank you Michelle. I have my first lesson this afternoon as a far too old adult. Nervously excited. Have managed to teach myself the first 6 notes. Struggling at the moment with middle C, that's my target for today. :)

Thanks, Michelle. Love your videos. I'm a 63 year old trumpet player who's always admired my jazz playing clarinet friends. Always amazes me that anyone can play a horn that has so many more keys than I have fingers! Finally bought myself a clarinet and recognize a lot of my problems and what to do about them in your videos. I'm enjoying my vintage Conn 17 and learning here on KZread and from the Clarinet Player instruction books from the old Belwin Mills series I picked up at a used instrument and sheet music store.

Thank you so much! I was having a ton of trouble playing my high notes, but now it's getting better, thanks!

thank you i play the flute and just started playing the clarinet a few months ago most of the other players can play their high notes and they kind of rub it in everyone else's faces this was really helpful I had to back out from playing a song because I couldn't reach the high notes thank you so much you helped me out a whole bunch

@alexus9790

7 жыл бұрын

Xiomari Jimenez Well, it's not really rubbing it in if they have practiced or have played clarinet in the past.

Thanks a lot. it helped my self teaching clarinet here in Swazi to pursue the dream to make the first orchestra in this country..

Wow! I just changed to a #3 Reed and hit high G....That's High G, 4 ledger lines up for the first time in my life. Thank you.

@RielleAdaig

4 жыл бұрын

@CaliGirlz GillClan lol

Hi mam I have dreamed of playing clarinet since childhood but since I live in India, the instrument is not very common and I could not play. Now I'm in college and to realize my dream (without putting a lot of money- good clarinets cost pretty big here), I bought a 14 key clarinet (second hand I guess). Now I'm in trouble. I don't get how to play high notes since keys are different and after many hours of searching the net I accepted that there were no fingering charts for these. I just can't play the high notes no matter how hard I try. It came with a 3.5 reed and its my very first time with the instrument. I have been practicing and I think the lower notes are OK (I learned Indian Classical music for 13 years). Please help me. I think your videos are great. Thanks

@ClarinetMentors

9 жыл бұрын

gokul j I wonder if this fingering chart would match your clarinet: www.wfg.woodwind.org/clarinet/ocl_bas_1.html Give it a try. A 3.5 reed is normally a bit hard to play for a beginner, but if you blow with fast air, it will work. Cane reeds do wear out after a couple of weeks of playing. You may need to get a box of reeds, or to consider a Legere synthetic reed which lasts much longer, and won't be affected by heat and humidity as much as a cane reed.

@engineering_guy

9 жыл бұрын

Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Thank you so much mam. The chart matches the keys. I didn't realize it was a new system. But still I cannot play the B and C in clarion register...only air comes out. Again thanks so much for the charts. I'm watching all your videos for beginners

@ClarinetMentors

9 жыл бұрын

Check this video to make sure your keys are in proper adjustment - You keys are a bit different, but it will give you an idea of how to check things: kzread.info/dash/bejne/YpWIlKemgqbZldI.html

@engineering_guy

9 жыл бұрын

Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Thanks very much mam. but um..it still didnt make any difference..The high D also sounded too airy. maybe 3.5 is too strong for me. Again thanks so much for your time :)

@emilyzhang4643

6 жыл бұрын

best of luck, man.

You're a very thorough teacher dealing with not only the physiology of making music but the psychology of it as well. The clamping up or the mental havoc created by the hard bits coming up is so plain to see in most instrument playing and it's more this rather than the lack of physical capabilities that causes the trouble. Good tips and good hints at what to look for as possible causes of certain weaknesses in our playing. Thanks very much for you guidance..

So grateful for your videos Michelle - I am beginning on clarinet at age 60, husband is hiding in other room and asking how long will this take (until the sound is tolerable!). With your help I think it may be better sooner!

The same way you can speed up water from a hose by using a spray valve and focusing it into a narrower stream. (Imagine washing a car with a hose, and someone else comes along and turns down the faucet. You can still get force in the stream by adjusting it smaller.) A small amount of air can move really quickly. Check out the videos called: Clarinet Lesson: Improve your tone, and play more easily by activating your blowing muscles. Also: Improving clarinet tone using the "whisper technic"

This helped me so much! I haven’t been able to play any high notes for so long and now I can actually play some notes!

Move people level off between 3/12 and 4. I would try the Vandoren 3 1/2+. It is in between 3 1/2 and 4. If they feel really resistant, and your tone is airy and fuzzy, they are too stiff. A clue that the 3 1/2's may be soft for you is that they might seem to wear out more quickly than usual, and your highest notes may feel a bit unsupported. I'm glad Vandoren introduced the "plus" size. Many people really like it. - Michelle

Thank you so much for the great advice! You're a great teacher, please continue!

been on a four year clarinet hiatus. this is so helpful. ten years later, i hope shes well :)

This was so helpful. I haven't played my clarinet in almost 30 years and I was struggling to get some of my notes. I knew my reed probably played a part in that so I went searching. I really appreciate your time

Thanks so much! Wonderful information and examples, very specific, and very clearly presented as with all your videos I've seen. Your experience really shows and you provide so much useful advice and help.

Very nice. Clear and useful information. Reed strength is overlooked so often. It is extremely important in the altissimo register on saxophone too.

Thank you for all of these helpful tips. Very informative.

I've learned more in the last few days watching your videos than I could have even imagined, thank you so much for these videos!

Excellent ideas and helpful concepts. Thank you, Michelle.

I started playing clarinet like three weeks ago and a senior asked me to try high notes ,I can't believe it actually worked!! thank you, Michelle! I'll keep trying!!

@ClarinetMentors

8 жыл бұрын

+MErRI Rin If you have good air support, and a good basic embouchure, high notes are not terribly difficult. Good for you for starting with good habits!

Wow great!! As I watch your video, my high notes suddenly came out! Thanks a lot

Thank you very much! When I watched this 2 times when I was doing my clarinet, it helped me a lot! I am so happy that I found this video because it improved my high notes! Thank you and please make more videos cause always your videos are always helpful!

Michelle, thanx for your efforts here. I'm a cross-country trucker, NY-CA, 60 yrs old and I started playing the Clarinet 18 months ago. I thought I was doing pretty good and ignored your caveat (I forget on which of your videos) about curling the fingers. I figured mine were curled enough. But when I cont'd to have high-note agita, remembering your exhortations, I began curling them a little more. Mamma Mia! What a difference a curl makes. High note problems are now low on my list. Danka schoen, dear, and God Bless You.

Your videos are very helpful! Love your channel!

Just at the right time - I started the high register notes two weeks ago and I am going over the break this week- amazing timing as usual..... Thanks!!!!

Love your videos. Very helpful. Had a difficult week getting back playing. Hitting Cs and Bs in the upper register now.

Great teaching here, Michelle. Thanks for these videos!

Ace video Michelle - having just watched this one and the previous video back to back, I'd say this one is slightly the better one, not just the audio quality but also the structure. I'm all set now for a 'high notes' oriented practice session.

You're a great teacher! Your videos are so helpful! Thanks to you I have been able to get a better sound within quite a short time. It's so much fun. Thank you very much!

@ClarinetMentors

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm glad these videos are helpful to you.

Thank you for posting! You arr very clear and so precise in teaching A terrific music teacher!

I started playing the clarinet and I got frustrated in high notes and didn't continue. I started again and enjoying it again. Everything you did today I encountered. Especially the thumb roll as I call it. I'm 60 and I'm going to conquer this. Too bad you weren't my teacher. Easy to understand and your pictures are clear. I'm a visual person. I'll practice the technique today. Thank you. I was amazed all I remembered from lessons. I'm following your steps now.

Thank you so much for this video. Started playing clarinet a couple a days ago and my high notes were not very satisfactory. After watching this my progress has really improved and my high notes are sounded better each time I play. Thank you

An excellent video. I've been playing clarinet for a number of years. I find that there is always something new to learn. Thanks again for your video lessons. Steve.

Hi, i'm 52 and start to learn playing clarinet, its a life dream. your explains are so clearly and concise, thanks and God bless you.

Thanks for the videos,I honestly improved so much with the help!!!

I was struggling to reach anything above a G5 (concert F5) and after this I'm reaching a C6 (Concert Bb5)! Huge thanks for the advice on not tensing up and using a stronger reed! I'm able to fly up from C5 to C6 now sometimes! (Ive learned about 6 other instruments so I did have some music knowledge previously but still huge thanks!)

Thank you for posting this, I am a beginner and was looking for some tips and found this video. I would also like some tips on how to keep a reed from splitting or fraying ( I am still getting the thin ones). Thank you again for this awesome video!

Hallo Michelle, and so glad to have met you and found your videos. I started with the clarinet at 38, 20 years after I'd felt attracted to it (that's life) and I assure you it wasn't easy. Which is why your channel looks like a treasure to me. Be sure I will keep checking them regularly. I'd like to thank you for all the interest and effort you put into it. You've already helped me a lot.

@ClarinetMentors

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words!

Hi Michelle, great videos! Very helpful indeed!

@ClarinetMentors

8 жыл бұрын

+nothingisordinary I am glad this is helpful to you!

I remember in 6th grade when I was just starting, I wanted to move up from a level 2 reed, so I tried a level 3.5. I remember that I couldn’t even get close to making a sound, so I thought the reed was broken and got a new, level 2, reed set. 😂 I’m in 8th grade now, so I know that it was a WAY to high level for a beginner. I’m intermediate level now, and it’s a lot more fun to play fast, high note songs, so this video was very helpful! I’m trying to get better at playing Merry go Round of Life, which has a lot of high notes, so thanks! :3

Another great video! Thank you, Michelle!

A truly wonderful teacher. The last time I received clarinet lesson was from my now deceased father, 40 years ago. The last time I played the clarinet was 25 years ago. Now I'm inspired to play again. Thank God we have youtube. Thank you very much. More power and more abundant blessing.

@ClarinetMentors

9 жыл бұрын

Romela Diño Welcome back to the clarinet! I hope your really enjoy it. You will probably be surprised at how quickly your skills return.

This was super helpful!! Thank you so much. I have a concert coming up in which I have a solo and there’s just one note that doesn’t come with as much ease. (It was the jaw clench)

It was my 6th grade year, and I knew notes existed above Bb, I simply couldent play them and didnt know how fingerings with the pinky keys worked on Clarinet. I watched this video, and after about an hour of practice, I landed a solid high C for the first time, and I was beyond excited. Now, in my 7th grade year, Im in our 8th grade band, and am in the Alabama All State Band (16/30 Chair, just had our concert yesterday.). Its so nastalgic coming back to this video lol. Thanks for kickstarting my Clarinet journey!

Best lesson for playing above the break! Thx so much. Tough going smoothly from throat G to A to B natural and beyond. I think I need to keep working on on the elements you discuss.

You've explained exactly the problems I've been having!!!! Thank you so much!

Thank you. This was a great help. I am going to look for your basic fingering video right now. I cannot get lessons now because of Covid, so your videos are an immense help. Thank you again.

Truly excellent teaching, thank you. How I wish there was a comparable series of KZread videos, with your level of instruction, for the saxophone!

Thank you SO much Michelle. You have been a great help....slow and clear and calm. I will watch your other videos. CP.

@ClarinetMentors

9 жыл бұрын

Christine Prowse I'm glad this helps. High notes are one of those things that can frustrate everyone at times, but there are good systems available to fix the problems.

I'm learning clarinet and trumpet and really want to get good before school starts again so I can be first chair in my clarinet section and be able to play quite well on trumpet. It's very challenging but I won't give up. I'm making a schedule of when I should practice on both instruments. So wish me luck! ❤️ Also thank you this video was super helpful.

The left thumb was the one that tripped me up... Thanks for that tip ;-) It's been 27 years since I had clarinet lessons, so I'm having to go back to the basics again.

Thanks Steve. I'm glad you enjoy it. - Michelle

Thx for the info about reed thickness and high notes. Now it makes sense. Thx a lot 😊 I like your way of teaching by showing us the many mistakes we re doing and how to fix the problem ❤

great video. thanx for explaining this..

Thank you!! Can’t wait to try this out

Hi Michelle, thanks for the high notes lesson, I have just been playing for a year and was struggling with my top G but after seeing you videos it has definitely improved. Thanks again. Geoff

@ClarinetMentors

7 жыл бұрын

HI Geoff, I'm glad things are improving!

bro this helped so much, i've struggled for so long with high notes but this made so much sense!

Thank you ... I did learn a lot watching you ... happy to subscribe and will watch all your videos ...

Thank you for posting this video. It helps a lot of new clarinet players, such as myself.

Thank you so much! Its way much easier now to play high notes than before.

The red alert advice really helping. Thanks Michelle!

I love your videos. I played clarinet in high school and college, and now my 11-year-old has started playing. I've been watching your videos to get tips for teaching him, and they've been very helpful!

@ClarinetMentors

8 жыл бұрын

+Jennifer Garst Thanks for the kind words. I hope he enjoys the clarinet!

Oh my gosh I finnaly was able to play the high notes on my clarinet thank you so much your amazing!!!!!!!👯 😆

You are just a wonderful clarinet teacher :) Thanks!

wow. this is very helpful. im pretty good at the upper register, but some notes don't want to come out. i will definitely use these tips.

wow, good info. I am new to clarinet and now have a good Idea of what to check on when problems occur.

Thank you! You really helped me!!

Everything you say is like exactly what I do!! Thank you this really helped me with my clarinet. Definitely subscribing

@ClarinetMentors

9 жыл бұрын

Hi Pari. I'm glad this helped. High notes can be much easier once a few basic things are working for you! Good luck with your clarinet.

Thanks Michele, for this one, I'm having this occurance as you speak, but I'm learning just what you are suggesting. Brian

Very helpful, thank you!!

I'm watching this video because I'm an honors band and I need help with my high notes because I have regionals and songs coming up that I need to work on the one I need and work on the most is land of a 1000 dances , I'll definitely like this video and watch part 2 and maybe three if there is one

Great video! Congratulations!!!

Thank you a lot! I have been very stressed about playing this and going to high notes, thank you!

thank you for the clarinet note lesson michele

Thank you for a great lesson!

Thank you!! Easy to understand, clear and not patronizing. I'm 44 in June and a very proud beginner

Thanks for your videos you have really helped me be in tune because I used to be super flat thanks so much

Thank you so much Michelle. I have really enjoyed watching this video and really like your teaching method. In just this video I have spotted very old bad habits of mine. I shall sign up for your newsletter - you have a new pupil!

@ClarinetMentors

9 жыл бұрын

Thanks Philip. I hope you pick up some good pointers in the future as well!

You've nailed it PRECISELY my problem...especially how to move your left thumb on the register key...I am a beginner...appreciate it.

Real good information and instruktion. Thanks! It's been an eyeopener... from a grown beginners perspective!!!

@ClarinetMentors

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words. There are many "grown beginners" who are doing amazing things with their clarinets. I hope you are enjoying yours.

great job it was amazing

Thank you +clarinetmentors it really helped

@ClarinetMentors

9 жыл бұрын

Thedailychallenges I'm glad you appreciate this. Thanks.

that help so much thank you

Hi Kit. The key is usually 2 part 1) ensure that your air is not stopping at all between notes. (Check out my video on how to tongue faster which describes stop-tonguing that allows you to blow continuously.) 2) ensure that while your tongue is moving around, it remains high in your mouth (as if you are saying "HEEE". I have a video entitled How To Play High Notes Part 2 that discusses this. Good luck! - Michelle

Wow, i can play the D,E,F,G in the altissimo register verry easy. Amazing.

Amazing! You certainly are one of the best music teachers I've ever seen, if not the best. (And I'm 53 and English is not my native language). Thank you !

@ClarinetMentors

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words!

Thank you very much for your very good advice!

@ClarinetMentors

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Yannick. I hope your clarinet playing is going well.

I just got a new clarinet for 6th grade yesterday I'm so excited!!!!

Hi Michelle, great video! My problem is that the upper altissimo (G# and higher) normally comes out without a problem. but if I try to play a high E (on the third ledger line) it wants to come out as the A above that (because they're the same fingering). I can't figure it out and it's been a problem for a long time! Also, my high G#-C (Clarion) don't speak the best either. What suggestions do you have? Thanks!!

This was very good for those high note. Practice does make them better.

This is a really good video! I just can't really figure out to how to blow air faster.

Starting my register key training this week. I will try the faster air before buying a 2-2.5 reed (I think mine is now 1.5). I didn't have issue with lower key plus register key (E - B, F - C, G - D, but started getting issue when getting to high G. It worked a lot of times, but not consistently.

@ClarinetMentors

8 жыл бұрын

+winanci Faster air will definitely help make those high notes more consistent. By the time you are playing those high G's on top of the staff, a stronger reed really can help as well.

Thank you so much I am in 8 th grade and I'm just now starting band this makes it so much easier I love u

@ClarinetMentors

9 жыл бұрын

I'm glad this helps! Good luck with your clarinet this year.

This is better than all the other videos I've watched so that I can improve my clarinet skills 😎😅