What is the facing on a clarinet mouthpiece?

The facing is the curve that the reed vibrates against. It runs the entire length from where it leaves the flat surface of the table all the way up to the tip of the mouthpiece.

How do you arrange a clarinet?

How to assemble your clarinet

1. Gently twist the bell onto the lower joint.
2. Twist the upper joint onto the lower joint.
3. Align the bridge mechanism.
4. Twist on the barrel.
5. Twist on the mouthpiece.
6. Align the mouthpiece.
7. Moisten the reed.
8. Put on the reed.

Why does my mouth hurt when I play clarinet?

Some clarinetists may experience pain in their lower lip due to extended pressure and contact with the lower teeth. Although this is normal, you don’t have to play with pain. You’ll be happy to know that there are several ways to help alleviate this pain while you play clarinet.

What does the facing on a mouthpiece mean?

Facing Lengths: The facing is the length of the reed that is not touching the mouthpiece (again, when it’s in place). The longer the facing, the higher the amount of the reed is vibrating when you play.

What is tip opening on a clarinet mouthpiece?

The Saxophone Mouthpiece (and Clarinet Mouthpiece) Tip Size, or Tip-Opening, is the distance between the reed and mouthpiece tip. This number is usually on the side of the mouthpiece body, or on the table. The smaller the tip size the more narrow the opening; the larger the tip size the larger the opening.

Which clarinet hand goes on top?

Left Hand
Left Hand Placement When you play the clarinet, your left hand provides important support by covering the upper half of the instrument, also known as the upper joint. Hold the instrument by placing your left hand over the top holes on the upper joint.

What angle should you hold a clarinet?

Hold your clarinet correctly. Place the thumb rest in the crook of the first joint at the base of your nail. Curve your fingers gently as if you are picking up a bread crumb. The left thumb should be at a 45 degree angle to the length of the clarinet.

Why does my clarinet squeak?

Too much air at once. The clarinet requires a lot of air, but if you use too much at once, it causes the instrument to produce an unexpected overtone, aka a squeak. Keep your air fast and steady for an even sound across all registers.

Why is my clarinet not making a sound?

The top of the reed should be lined up with the top of the mouthpiece. If the reed is too high or too low, no sound will come out. 3) Is your embouchure (shape of your mouth) too tight or loose? If you are biting down or pressing on the reed too hard you won’t get a sound.

Can I leave my reed on my clarinet?

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.

How tight should clarinet embouchure be?

The embouchure should be relaxed, but create enough seal around the mouthpiece and reed so that no air escapes. The lips should passively resist the mouthpiece with the top lip firm and the bottom lips creating a gentle cushion for the reed. A general rule is that you should see very little or no red of the lip.

How do you put a reed in a clarinet?

Choose a brand. There are many to choose from,and all brands make and sell their reeds a little differently.

Decide what strength you’ll need. Most reed manufacturers sell reeds in strengths from 1 to 5,often in half-steps.

Decide on a cut.

Go to the music store and buy a box of reeds.

Take all the reeds out of the box,and get ready to evaluate them.

How to put a reed on a clarinet?

Put the reed against the hole of the mouthpiece. Line the tip of the reed vertically with the tip of the mouthpiece. You should ideally try to see a fingernail-width of mouthpiece above the reed, for optimum placement. Hold the reed in place with your finger, moving it around a little with the other until you’ve lined it up perfectly.

What holds a clarinet reed in place?

The purpose of the ligature is to hold the reed in place and its placement and tightness determines the pressure placed on the reed, which influences the sound quality. There are many different types of ligatures ranging from the most affordable metal ones, to more flexible midrange plastic ones, to ones made from higher quality and softer leather.

How do I choose a clarinet reed?

Choose a Strength. Clarinet reeds come in various strengths, and use a number system. The system ranges from 1 to 5, and uses half numbers to help evaluate the hardness. The higher the number, the harder the reed. The goal of any clarinetist is to play the hardest reed they can handle, as the sound improves with each increment.