I play the clarinet and im in the 7th grade i know all the notes but the thing is that i can't stop puffing one cheek and now i have like 2 weeks and i loose alot of air. any body can you help me?????

triple-a-310,
I'm going to suggest something here - the idea with teh clarinet is that the air that you blow is pushed through a small space (between the reed and the actualy mouthpiece) this allows the sound to be controlled. So if your cheeks are puffing it suggests to me that you may not be applying enough pressure with your tongue onto the reed? When blowing try to make the shape of your mouth the same as you would when you are saying "t" or "tu" this should get your mouth into the correct position and no air should escapre into your cheek. All the air you blow should of course not escape and go right down the instrument.

It's difficult to explain as I'm trying to picture the clarinet at my mouth...try that and if you have no luck then let us know - maybe someone else might have some tried and tested ideas!

Hope it helps!

Triple-a-310, do you also play recorder? My son does. He had the same problem as you, so I gave him his recorder and told him to just play a few notes. He certainly didn't puff his cheeks out on the recorder, and the control and tongue positions are really quite similar - just the lip that's different, really. After he realised this, he was able to play the clarinet without puffing.

As mc1 says, the tongue position (keeping it forward) helps. Also, do you find this happening when you have been playing a long time only? If so, it may be your muscles tiring and telling you you need a break! Good luck with sorting it out!

Fred

cant help you