Hi everyone,
I'm a pianist and have just started to teach myself the clarinet. I'm using the 'New tune a day' series and it's going quite well, but I'm now on lesson 2 and my F natural is sounding like an F#. My G is also sharp compared to concert pitch, but my F# is so sharp that it's sharp compared to the other notes I can play! The only way I can flatten the G is if I hold the clarinet almost at a 90 degree angle, and the F stays sharp! Can someone please tell me what I may be doing wrong?
Most clarinets are made so that they are slightly sharp when all the separate parts are pushed firmly together. This is so that the instrument can be tuned to other accompanying isnstruments. This is done by slightly extending the barrel from the upper joint. Play an open G on the clarinet while playing an F on the piano. Pull out the barrel until the sounds match. Another factor may be the type of clarinet you have. If it is a very cheap chinese made model you may never get it to play all the notes in tune. Let us know how you get on. Good luck.
Alan
I don't want to sound dumb or anything... but I suggest that you check and double check your fingering.
Even though some clarinets are made sharp, you could of made a simple mistake.
You can also try putting you right hand fingers down, where the B flat, A and G are, this will help to flaten the tone a bit, but try the others ideas first
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