I've been playing clarinet for 5 years, and two of my friends have been playing it just as long as i have. They all use #3 reeds but i feel more comfortable using a 2 (i've used #2 ever since my first year). Even my bad director feels we all should be usong a #3 what should i do?
136501
It depends on the brand and the mouthpiece you have.  If you are using Rico, they are trash.  Rico Royal is okay, but don't go harder than 3 if you have the mouthpiece that came with the instrument.  If you want better, try LaVoz medium, or Vandoren #2.\n\nIf you buy a more expensive mouthpiece, you can use a harder reed.  Different mouthpieces are designed for different reeds.  Email me if you need more information than this.\n\nIf you want a better sound and can't afford a good mouthpiece, then buy a Rovner Ligature (dark).  It will give you much better tone and response than the metal ligature.  If the whole section gets one, the section will sound better.\n\nWhen you play just the mouthpiece, it should sound like a very high B on the piano (very shrill).  If it doesn't, your embouchure is wrong, and the reed hardness won't matter much.  Email me if you need to know what this sounds like, or if you can't get the sound, and I will help.
648783
There are lots of choices in a school band - flute, clarinet, saxophone (alto, tenor & in some baritone), french horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, drums, oboe, bassoon.  I'm a flute player, so I'm partial to that - but I've always wanted to learn to play oboe or bassoon - they sound soo cool!  I don't like clarinet, personally I found it very easy to play - quite boring.  Same with sax, no challenge for me.  Trumpet is alright, trombone is soo much fun to play, as is tuba - you'd get to play the root bear song!  French horn is beautiful, but very challenging.  Drums - blech, they are alright, but not my style.\n\nAnd that's just it - you need to find YOUR style, not mine or anyone else's.  Try each instrument, listen and feel what they are like.  You'll find the one for you.  Have fun!
610858
I say take the first trade. Ensberg is a very good player capable of putting up at least 30 HR and 100 RBI. Remember that Ensberg is usually a lot better in the second half of the season so keep that in mind.\n\nThis way even if Thome and Wright are doing great, you have a very good player to use as UTIL.\n\nFor the second trade, i think you are giving up too much for a free-swinger like francoeur. You never know what to expect from francoeur, which is a bad thing.
591968
Great question. Jam. That's the simple answer. Have them get together and play something slow like a blues in 12/8 time (a la Stevie Ray Vaughn) and pass off solos every 2 or 3 times through the pattern. Everyone will start listening closer, because they will have to ultimately take a solo (sorry bro, i would just lay down the drum beat and not solo). Once everyone is listening more and really FEELING the music that they play, find rock songs that they really understand and feel. Jam everytime before you play and you will have a tight band in no time!\n\n- 12 year musician
370120
have you heard of the goose method?? well you make the gooses neck with your hands to shoot ......idk its hard to explain just practice thats what i did couldnt make 3s last year that well now i sink everytime cuz i practiced over the summer alot!!
654755
not 3/4th ppl r playing for points everybody is playin for points n even just for time pass to be frank it was one of my aim to be the top scorer but when reached 5,000 n above i dont know y i just lost interest in this i just play now for points thts it not for anything else...n even its very useful v can also improve our knowledge by knowing some things i guess as i know some ppl..r just crazy abt this y! answers sum ppl. say its one of their hobby sounds crazy\n\ni dont think u hav improve ur answering skills its just fine just share whtever u know abt tht question n u need to answer it by ur heart thts it....all the best!!
620985
i play the oboe and its a very easy instrument if you can remember the keys and the notes. then comes the hard part, the reed. the reed is a very hard part because you need to have your lips tight and then the muscle in the mouth has to support it. blowing into the reed is hard too. you only have like a little space to blow air into. and sometimes you can get air headed. if your nervous will you are playing then the sound of your notes ore going to be wrong and they are going to be going like a car trying to start up. playing eight notes on the reed is hard i can barely do that and I've been playing for like a year.  so there are a few tips on how to play the oboe.
485022
start out as early as possible..i didnt start until my mid 30s ...good band...but not everyone in the group had the same focus..get with people you like and can work well with
346761
I started playing tuba when I was in the 5th grade and let's just say I didn't start growing until later in life... and I'm still not that tall.  My mom thought I was crazy for playing an instrument that was larger tha I was, but it was something I really wanted... It turned not to be a problem at all and I did fine playing and marching with it.  Have fun and enjoy.  It's a wonderful instrument and a great experience.  Take care!
374254
Congratulations on your first chair position - and on your efforts to improve your play.\n\nThe key to playing the piccolo (or flute) softly in the upper register is breath support, proper embouchure, and lots of practice. It is one of the more difficult skills to develop, and is therefore considered a mark of a good player.\n\nIf you're really serious about getting better, I'd suggest you find a private teacher in your area who can instruct, illustrate for, and coach you through improving your play. If private lessons are not an option for you, work with your band director. Ask him or her to recommend study books and other resources you can use to improve yourself.\n\nHere's a site with some good tips - you should be able to find more with yahoo or google. Best of luck!
401630
me  personal would play a 3 5 2. with wings backs 2 center mid an attacking mid an d2 stickers. attacking while still very diffensive if wing back do the right amount of work. try some one like deco or makalele in the midfeild.
327382
take it slowly at first.  work on getting all the notes correct at a slow tempo.  when you can do that, gradually speed it up.\nif you have a metronome, practice with that, it really helps.\ndont try to do marathon practices of hours at a time. go for 30 minutes to an hour, take a break, and come back to it.  if you get too frustrated, practice something else for a while to get your brain out of the loop.
291926
I have played off & on for about 15 years. I have seen some sheet music, but have never played by it. I just do it by ear, listen to the way it's played first, then throw my own fills in and make it my song.
15944
I can play all clarinets, all saxophones, oboe, mellophone, english horn, trumpet, piano, bass guitar, electric guitar, some flute/piccolo, and am currently learning bassoon... I'm crazy, I know.
528598
My suggestion is go cheap on the other gear but don't go too low on price on the head of the stick.  It's very important.  I've been playing for years and would have to say I could look like a beginner if I had the wrong stick in my hand.   On the other hand, if you have a good stick that is done right and throws right you'll like a lot better to start!\n\nBasically, don't just buy one pre-strung and try to make it work.  Find a veteran player willing to string it up for you (or a small store nearby that offers the service) and it will make a world of difference for you.\n\nI use a proton + with a mesh pocket that's a mix between hard and soft.  The mesh separate is only $10 and you could use hockey laces to string up the sidewalls (won't break like the string you would normally use) or buy a separate stringing kit.   \n\nBy not going cheap on the stick you'll end up enjoying the sport more and in the long run you'll be much happier.  Keep in mind that if you buy a titanium shaft (or another type of shaft as strong) it could last for years and it will give better results because it's lighter than the less expensive and easily breakable aluminum shaft.  \n\nFeel free to e-mail me if you have trouble finding the right mesh or have any other questions. \n\nGood luck and you found the best sport there is!
81230
Typically, I'll use the B string on my 5 string for material requiring those really low notes.  However, sometimes it becomes necessary to detune my E string due the the left-hand gymnastics that would be required to use the low notes on the B.  That is, some songs simply don't lend themselves to grabbing a C# on the 2nd fret of the B string; it can be MUCH easier if the E string is tuned down.\n\nIf the strings are hitting the pickups, there's a few possibilities: your action is too low to support detuning or the pickups are too high.  Lowering the pickups is the easiest; changing your action will require checking and fixing the intonation.\n\nIf the bass you're using still isn't working right, I'd suggest looking into a rental for a few days from your local music store.  Or, if you don't mind dropping a few bucks, a buddy of mine has the 6 string bass in the sources hyperlink and loves it.  $200 is short money.
196967
Usually there is a screw thingy that connects it with the G# key.  Make sure the A key is opening enough, if not, move it further away from the G# key with a screw driver.\n\nIf that doesn't help...cork pads, instead of animal skin, works much better, mine's cork, as well as some other keys.\n\nIs it an embochure problem? Ask a clarinet pro.