I Can't Heeeear You!

By Jim Snyder

Convinced that playing the clarinet in a marching band was akin to squeezing a bicycle horn in front of a freight train, I happily volunteered to be the drum major all four years in high school.

The issue, though, is really “directional” vs. “cameral” sound. Brass instruments concentrate all the sound through the bell compared to only two notes on the clarinet; the rest mostly sound through the next open tone hole.

Clarinets are chamber (cameral) instruments—think of it as playing a mouthpiece attached to the room. The different acoustics of each room will affect your perception of your sound. But what do you do when the “room” has no walls?

It’s Mental

Practice in many different places to get used to the sound of your instrument in various settings and the acoustics of different environments, i.e., studio, living room, garage, backyard and even the coat closet (which may take some explaining to your family). Make your sound a bit more directional by visualizing an external target at which to aim the stream.

It’s Physical

You must always have a cushion of air welling up from your diaphragm to support a full, round sound. Test yourself: Stand up straight in front of the mirror and play a middle-of-thestaff B as pianissimo-ly as you can. If you’re supporting it correctly, those shades of purple that you are turning are normal. Since volume changes are really only the result of more air movement, take that air pressure you’ve built up and work at sending it through the horn.

Clarinets are relatively large bore instruments, but the opening between the reed and mouthpiece is relatively small, so you need to focus the air stream. You’ll need to “round out” your embouchure a bit by lowering your jaw (try mentally matching the bore of the clarinet). Keep the muscles tight around the sides of the mouthpiece, so your pitch and control remain intact, and your sound stays pure and focused.Remember: Bite not thine reed, as it’ll only constrict the air and the sound.

Practice these techniques physically and mentally with long tones. Then tell ’em to bring on the freight train!

About the Author

Jim Snyder has been the busiest jazz clarinetist of the last 30 years, performing in clubs, concert halls and jazz festivals in the United States and abroad. Jim played for many years in New Orleans, where he was also a member of trumpet virtuoso Al Hirt’s band. He is regularly featured as a guest artist in concerts and recordings and is a staff musician for the Walt Disney Company. His new CD, “Coliseum Square,” will soon be released on the Apple Jazz label. For more information, visit www.theclarinetguy.com.

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