clarinet players: I'm just learning. How do I get the reed from slipping, the screws are as tight as they go

Question

How do I stop the high pitch squeal with this instrument.
I'm getting some, if little any air through the clarinet.

Thanks.

Answer 1

For the slipping, are you wetting the reed in your mouth before you place it on the mouthpiece? First, loosen up the ligature, you're 'choking' the reed. Too tight will squeeze the reed. You want the reed to vibrate. Need to relax and practice your embouchure/mouth position. Don't puff your cheeks. You might be closing the reed by being too tight on it. Do you have your upper teeth on the top of the mouthpiece and the lower lip covering your bottom teeth and pressing on the reed? But, not too tight with the bottom teeth. (many beginner books show how to do the embouchure/mouth position) If starting out the squeaking is probably just your mouth positioning. Just blowing without the right mouth position will cause a squeak. The high pitch squeal is the reed not vibrating. Do not store your reed on the mouthpiece. You should put it in a reedguard. Not the little plastic cases the reeds come in. Reeds will warp at the tip. Need to keep them flat at the tip, guards will do that. Plastic reedguards are inexpensive and come in a variety of colors. You will get better with practice and when your embouchure gets stronger. Don't worry you'll get better! Everybody squeaks when starting out. :)
Good Luck!!

Here's an embouchure link that might help http://www.tcnj.edu/~mckinney/clarinet_embouchure.htm

Answer 2

make sure the reed is weat enough and maker sure ur fingers are on the holes covering the holes

Answer 3

completely unscrew the ligature, reposition it, then tighten

move your mouth and your lips are supposed to be in your mouth