Question for clarinet players...?

Question

I play the clarinet (B flat) and was having trouble with the ugly "throat tones" of B/A flats (in the staff)
I was wondering if you had suggestions.
I heard that there were fingerings that could make the sound better?

Any help would be great.

Answer 1

The throat tones on a clarinet are notoriously sharp. Putting down the fingers on your right hand (one or more) can help with that.
The Bb is by far the worst sounding note on the horn. There is a resonance fingering that makes it sound better. While playing the Bb, put down your third fingers on both hands, and you little finger on your right. The key you choose for your little finger does not matter. I usually use the C key, but it depends on what not I am going to after the Bb. If you're jumping to an Eb, it only makes sense to use the Eb key, etc. It takes a while to get used to, but once you do, it becomes natural. I use the resonance fingering every time I play Bb, and it really does help!

Answer 2

If you arte not getting the correct sound, you may have to change reeds, for the reed may be chipped or too old, causing a bad sound. If that is not the case, then you should try seeing if there is anything wrong with your clarinet that could be causing bad sounds. Also, you could be blowing fast, causing to high of a sound or blowing slow, causing to low of a sound. You should also make sure that you have the correct finger positioning and your body is in the correct posture.

Answer 3

If you keep your right hand close to the holes, it will bring down the pitch, and make those notes more in tune. Many students overplay everything, and on those notes, where the air isn't travelling as far down as the others, if you are using too much air, or playing with a loose embouchure, you're gonna suffer in tone quality.

Answer 4

by throat if you mean open g and all the way up to b flat, then i can help.

just keep your right hand down.