I am just learning to play the clarinet and probably don't need to be thinking too far ahead, but I was just wondering if someone could explain to me what the break is - like what does crossing or playing above the break mean?

Carol K

The break is where you cross from the lower register of the clarinet to the second register. So basically when you have to start using your octave key, the one above the thumb hole is the start of the new register. Crossing it is the notes leading up to it, so G,A, B, G being in the lower register, A being in the middle and B being the second register. You'll hear people complaining about it who play clarinet, because it's hard to play smoothly and quickly crossing over the break!

In reply to your question regarding 'crossing over'. Please be aware the the Clarinet does NOT have a ocatve key as stated in previous replies it has a 'REGISTER KEY'. As you are aware the Clarinet has both lower and upper register, the register key enables you to access the upper register. The Clarinet register key does not facilitate or give you access to simply playing everything up the octave as suggested by other replies given. The Clarinet (register Key) enables the Clarinet to play up a 12th. Please ensure that your embouchure is sufficiently in good order before even attempting to play ion the upper register. Poor embouchure formation at the out set will not give the desired tonal quality required. Please ensure that your embouchure is correct and that your posture/breathing and hand positions are correct and functional before progressing on to the upper register.

Technicalities and long words, the meaning was the same. As people have have said, it is the "crossing over" to the upper register, and I find I had to really have my breathing sorted out to do this neatly! Key words my teacher always has to say to me "BLOW THROUGH THE CLARINET!!!!!" good luck in your playing!! this is a lovely instrument and I hope you have as much fun playing it as I do!

Sorry floks but the correct terminology is important. If you say 'BLOW Through' to a beginner it gives completely the wrong impression of how the correct embouchure is to be formed. No one can produce the correct embouchure by 'BLOWING' let alons a decent tone, I really dispare at the lack of precission in teaching.....if this is really the case..........sorry folks but I have taught Clarinet for 25 years and BLOWING never entered into my vocabulary.............please tell me you were instructed to 'BREATH & SUPPORT'

reply to all who posted replies to my post re crossing the break

Thanks to everyone who replied to my post about crossing the break on the clarinet. What notes I have learned on the clarinet are sounding good to me, but I am definitely not ready for the higher register. I tried a higher note earlier today and I cannot even come close to getting it. Guess I'll have to stay in the lower and mid register for now. I really am enjoying the clarinet. It is a very nice sounding instrument. I hope that not yet being able to play any notes in the higher register doesn't mean that I cannot play at least a few easy songs on the clarinet.

Carol K

QUOTE (funky_fingers @ Oct 4 2004, 08:16 PM)

"BLOW THROUGH THE CLARINET!!!!!"

I think I got taught this, but I think I got told to "push air through the clarinet", so that I gave it enough to go down and come up again. Another one of my teacher's favourite phrases was "Think High!"