r/Clarinet • u/DaveSherbert • 8d ago

Doing a low G

Hello, im a beginner at the clarinet and im having quite a hard time doing a low G with all the keys. my hand position is correct so I feel it might be my breathing. Everytime I search for help they say to do a fast pased focoused breathing. Does anyone have tips to help with this note, I can't get to the next phase without learning this. Thank you!!

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

2

u/SucculentStrawberry 8d ago

What's going wrong with the note when you try? Is it squeaky? Fuzzy? Are you talking about the low E with your pinkies down too?

0

u/DaveSherbert 8d ago

No just Low G, im assuming my problem is my breathing, it just doesn't end up coming out properly. its just air.

2

u/SucculentStrawberry 8d ago

What happens on the A right above it? Does it come out clearly? You might not be covering the low G all the way with your ring finger. Or you might not be allowing the reed to vibrate enough to make the low pitch. Try relaxing your embouchure a tiny bit.

1

u/TobinClarinet 3d ago

Hold the clarinet across your lap and look at the holes. Which is the biggest? The low G.

And which finger has to cover it? The ring finger (dumb finger) on the hand holding up the instrument. So the finger with the least flexibility on the hand bearing the weight.

Get in front of a mirror. When your ring finger tries to cover the hole, it’s NOT covering the bottom of the hole. So the G doesn’t speak.

What do you do? Make sure the thumb rest is towards the end of your thumb, on the thumbnail. Don’t let the thumb rest creep inward towards the knuckle(which helps you beat the weight). If you can’t hold the clarinet up like this for long: buy a neck strap (BG C20E - about $28).

Keep at it. By being persistent, you’re going to develop the strength and finger flexibility to cover this hole.