I am trying to play some songs on the clarinet (as you do) but, what

happens is that I can play the first few notes, and then I can't reach the others! It

just stops making noise! I'm not an expert, i've only done my grade 2, but this is

really bugging me! I have changed the reed recently (yesterday) is this the

problem? I have cleaned it, and there are no visible faults... please help me, if

you can!

Thanks in advance

xX HarmonicSmile Xx

Your reed may be the problem. When you get new reeds, you need time to break into them and get used to them, so for the first few days you may not be able to get a sound, or it may be really hard to blow. Most of the time you can get used to the reed, but sometimes a reed just doesn't agree with you.... in that case ditch it. I'm no expert either though.

Oh, thank you so much! I was getting so fustrated!
Thanks, I'll give it some time... my other reed broke...
Thanks again!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Never have just one reed on the go at any one time.

If it's just one particular note, it might be that some of the holes aren't covering properly. Is it just when you go over the break? Do other people have the same problem when playing your clarinet? Was the problem happening with your old reed as well, or is it just the new reed?

Sorry for all the questions, but the more clues we get, the easier solving your problem will be.

i had this problem on the school bass clarinet, turns out theres a loose screw around the right hand little finger keys, i'd take your clarinet to your local woodwind specialist and get it checked out

You're welcome. Also, if the problem is not the reeds, it could be other stuff too - one of my friends who does clarinet had a dodgy mouthpiece and her notes came out all squawky - but she got a new one and it's better. Going over the break is just a hurdle everyone has to go through and there's no easy way around it (I couldn't get a note over it for ages and it was so frustrating!).

There are many reasons why a clarinet will suddenly stop working... or may give you difficulty. Hard to say from a distance. For example... yesterday I received a beautiful Buffet R13 clarinet I had bought on an eBAy auction. It looked gorgeous and was only 4 years old. I put my personal mouthpiece and reed on it and couldn't make it do anything other than whimper. I tried a different mouthpiece and the same thing. I removed the mouthpiece and looked through the bore. Sure enough... something was stuck inside the upper section. Turned out to be a wadded up piece of cardboard. Once removed, the clarinet played as beautifully as it looked! I am almost ashamed to admit how cheaply I got this great horn.

But... if you have a small chip in a mouthpiece, if your embouchre has improved and you need to advance to a professional mouthpiece, if a screw comes loose, a post comes loose, a bad breaks down...... many things!

First, I'd look thru the bore... then I'd test each section for leaks, placing one end against the mouth, closing all holes, and the end and blowing or sucking and listening for airflow. And of course, you can always ask a friend who is consistent and accomplished to give it a shot too. Anything to rule out whatever can be ruled out.

Best of luck.