Eb Clarinet! How to play it more easily 

Because she's Canadian, she also plays the Eh Flat clarinet.

Storytime: I am currently a senior in high school. When I was a freshman, I asked my director if I could play our Eb flat clarinet. He said no, obviously, but we make a deal. He said that if I could hit the highest C on the Bb in tune I could play the Eb. I've literally worked my entire high school music career trying to achieve this. And it finally happened today. Let's hope he hasn't forgotten.

I tired the Bb clarinet reeds on the Eb and it was soooooooooo much better. Thank you so much!!!

Back in high school, the symphonic band at Marian Catholic had 10 clarinets and the 5th chair played Eb. I was sixth so I stayed on Bb but I always wanted to try one. I remember using the synthetic reeds my last year in 1999-2000 and I absolutely loved them. Never dried up and I thought I got a very nice full and warm sound when using them. Thanks for posting!!!

You are a very good teacher clarinet , I found out your videos now , and I am going to see your videos now .

Just tried playing a Bb reed on my Eb clarinet and it's life changing!! Thank you sooo much for this tip!

Many, many thanks for the tip about using a B flat clarinet reed on the E flat AND using wire cutters to trim the clarinet reed. Clarinet reeds work for me and the wire cutters trimmed the reeds without problem. I also tried an E flat soprano sax reed and it works as well as the clarinet reed and does not need trimming. Like the clarinet reed it is a bit wider than the soprano clarinet reed. I usually play bass clarinet, so the E flat soprano clarinet is quite a transition.

This was very helpful and insightful. I also only use B-flat clarinet reeds and tend to choose those that are well broken in and even a little "dull" which makes the E-flat sound richer. I also occasionally reshape the reed with a file to narrow it, if required. You're absolutely correct that experimentation with fingerings is essential, both for the type of sound and the intonation that you desire, but also for various fast passages. Often, the E-flat is expected to play with the same facility as the piccolo, which necessitates a lot of "alternate" fingerings for very fast passages. Finally, (and I notice that you also can have some difficulty with this, Michelle,)is the notorious initial "undertone" as one articulates, in particular in the the altissimo. For me, I've found that taking more mouthpiece (or at least it "feels" like more mouthpiece) so that the lower lip contacts further down on the reed, helps to eliminate the annoying "undertone." But this trick would definitely be mouthpiece and reed dependent. As an alternative, one can choose reeds with a more robust or higher heart, but this may present other issues, in particular with intonation. Thanks for your videos! They are applicable for players at all levels of development and provide ALTERNATIVES, which is a very good thing. While I, myself, do not use Backun products, I know many who do, and I'm grateful that he is sponsoring your work!!

WOWZA, I have to play the e flat this Tuesday in band for the first time, this is exactly what I needed!!

I ordered an Eb clarinet and I'm so excited to try it!

Interesting! I'm thinking of playing one of those!

Thank you for the tip on altísimo notes

Thank you, Michelle! This is a great resource for such a notoriously hard-to-control instrument.

I started learning the Eb clarinet recently to play the Eb part for molly on the shore in a clarinet choir (and possibly a solo piece). I’ve seen some very helpful charts that give good alternate altissimo fingerings. I play on Eb reeds and I have tried the Bb reeds but I prefer the Eb reeds because in my experience they work better with my clarinet. I’m still a bit nervous about learning the alternate altissimo fingerings though because it seems very complicated and difficult to commit all of them to muscle memory.

I played the eb clarinet solo solo in Bolero once. The only 16 bars i played in the concert. But very important. Very satisfactory.

Hey Michelle! I have played a low-quality Eb that I found in the depths of my school's instrument storage. I experimented with it for about four months, and became frustrated due to lack of repertoire for the Eb. After watching this video, I think I'm going to give it a second chance. If you have any solo suggestions for the Eb, I'd love to hear them!

I had to modify my Eb as the speaker key was too close to the thumb hole. I use a 3 and a lot of pressure is needed. I would love one of those barrels. I will try the Bb reed trick. Many thanks

Hi Michelle, I find that when I play Eb I tend to bite quite a bit. I feel that Eb requires a firmer embouchure but I know that too much biting leads to intonation issues. What are you thoughts on Eb embouchure?

I love the synthetic reeds for Soprano Sax, They are the same Length but Wider Also I have a Backun cocobolo barrel and I love it.. I would love to adapt the bell of the Bb onto the Eb and see what happen.

Love the video. But just a fun fact I also play the standard Bb clarinet ,but instead of using clarinet reeds I use soprano saxophone reeds for my clarinet. I find it more free blowing and I can cross the break much easier than if I was using the Bb Clarinet reeds.

i have a bundy and added a deg barrel and what a difference it made. along with a hite mpc its a very serviceable horn now. i cant get the altisimo to speak as easy on legere so i still use cane.

Hello Michelle! I love your videos! I have seen several vendors selling a product called an Eb clarinet extension which adds a tone hole between the body and bell of the Eb clarinet. Would this be a product you would recommend? I'm looking into getting an Eb and mapping out the accessory costs as well. Thank you!

Thanks for this video! It looks like you are using Steuer reeds. I have been using those for the past 6 months or so and love them!! What is the size difference between your cane reed and the Legere?

I’m finding that I’m playing a really soft reed and I can’t get anything higher than a g an octave higher than open g and when I try to use a harder reed it is really hard to make a sound? Btw I use a Yamaha 4c mouthpiece until I can upgrade to a Vandoren.

Hi Michelle. Do you have any advice on how to adapt finger positions to get used to the Eb after years on Bb so I don't squeak or get no sound at all?

If you were to cut your Bb clarinet reeds would it still work and play just fine or do you A) have to get that barrel or B) only ever use Eb clarinet reeds.

do you have any advice on getting notes out above D above the staff? i can get to an A on Bb but i have trouble getting past a D on Eb.

hi, do you know where i can find notes for eb clarinets?

Hello, enjoying your Eb video. I have acquired an Eb clarinet which I enjoy playing. I am wondering if you can help me identify my instrument. It bears the name which is engraved on the bell and the upper body "R.M.S." it also has the following reference number "CO391".

thank you!

Do you know where i can get a decent Eb clarinet?

I can tell you I have never gotten more crap from my director than when he forced me to play Eb. Also, where do you get a barrel like that? I have cut my reeds before, but I ended up splitting the reed. I think my cutters are too dull. Thanks for this video.

Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) The Eb Reeds are fantastic because they produce that signature sound it's known for. Don't you find the Bb Reeds higher quality in cane due to size or something?

If you cut a Bb reed to Eb size will it still work on a Bb clarinet?

What are the highest notes on this thing, because you played a concert G, which I can play easily on my Bb. And it sounds good. I know the upper range of smaller instruments is usually less extended. So, while I can play up to a double high concert Bb, easily, can this instrument do the same?

@arinetMentors @UCmA8B54JikSgVi2WqAXi4aw What kind of sound does an Eb reed produce compared to the Bb reed?

I have a problem with my E flat clarinet. It is out of tune. When I try to tune mi E flat clarinet at 400 Hz with F sharp, I almost took out my barrel from the clarinet body, even I can see a little part of the cork. But the main problem is I can't tune the rest of the notes prefectly, so I need to tighten or loosen my embouchure drastically to fit the correct tune in each note. Is this a common situation for begginers in e flat clarinets, or does my e flat clarinet have a factory defect? What do you think about?

@UCmA8B54JikSgVi2WqAXi4aw I went away w/ the Standard Eb Reeds since Legere now makes them out of plastic so they tend to be easier to blow into.

@UCmA8B54JikSgVi2WqAXi4aw I have one more question, Eb reeds are most appropriate for Eb Clarinet, but interestingly enough, how come those Bb reeds have better quality cane than the Eb Reeds, isn't it due to their size? Doesn't the larger Bb reed have better quality cane?

Ik I’m very late but I need help on my b flat clarinet. I can’t play notes higher than a high b flat because my left thumb does not bend backwards. If you could help it would be appreciated.

Hi, I recently switched from Bb, and am having issues playing in tune. I bought a rather cheap Chinese instrument, but have upgraded the mouthpiece, ligature, and reed. I am playing a bit flat, especially above the g on top of the staff. Is this an embouchure issue or do I need a better instrument?

So my higher notes are generally in tune, but oddly my biggest issue is about from the horrid b flat on the staff down to the e on the line of the staff. They are like insanely flat that the tuner will go between the flat note and the next note up bc it is confused. Anything I can do to fix it? ive been experimenting with my embouchure but that improvement is miniscule.

Can someone please give me the fingering chart for the e-flat clarinet.......going from playing the Bb clarinet...I can’t find any online

Is a plastic e flat clarinet good to start out with or would it be better to get a wooden one

How can I find a barrel that will accommodate the b flat reed? What brands should I try?

Hi, Michelle! Do you have any knowledge about the ear health in the case of musicians? I am some worried about mine as a clarinetist. I am concerned with the possibility of loosing part of my hearing. If you know have anything to share or If you could indicate someone in that area to give some light I would be really thankful

Could you do a video on how to play low note better on the B flat clarinet?

I need albert system clarinet tutorial how i can learn to play albert system clarinet plz help me

Where can you find the special barrel?

I got an Eb clarinet from a music store not to far from where i live i got it for $600 it is a selmer paris model it has a buffet mouthpiece. For and old clarinet it plays well it has no cracks in it.

hey michelle can a b flat ligature fit on the e flat clarinet and will it become loose?

I am going to 8th and I forgot a couple notes

hi I came because I wanted to know about Eb Clarinet I play Bb Clarinet and because my band teacher was talking about one

Are the fingerings the same as the B flat clarinet?

Hi Michelle. My name is Nathan and I am an eb clarinet LOVER!!!! First I wanted to tell you that your video was fantastic and very helpful, I had never thought about using a synthetic reed!! What ligature do you use?? Rovner? Also, which model is your actual clarinet?

I play the e flat clarinet, and am getting braces soon. Will that be an issue?

Do an Ab clarinet next!

Yes. "It's a lot of fun."

Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Eb Reeds will work well w/ an Eb Clarinet since they're meant for it. The Eb reeds are shorter & Narrower than Bb reeds which is an interesting difference if you look at them more closely. The Cane Quality of Eb reeds is just the same as the Bb reeds due to updates after playing HandClap on my Sitar:ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BIYKRv2omF8.html

WAH! My 1917 Conn "C" don't get no love around here. It is an early ebonite body, and it has such a creamy sound. Albert System.

Yamaha?

Higher frequencies not higher range

I want a clarinet but no money

It sounds a lot louder to my ear than the Bb Clarinet. Maybe just my imagination.

Parli troppo ma suoni poco....

all talk no substance BS

@arinetMentors @UCmA8B54JikSgVi2WqAXi4aw What kind of sound does an Eb reed produce compared to the Bb reed?

@arinetMentors @UCmA8B54JikSgVi2WqAXi4aw What kind of sound does an Eb reed produce compared to the Bb reed?