Q&A for How to Tune a Clarinet

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Question

How do I place your reed in the right spot?

Community Answer

A small hairline should be showing above the reed. Try to keep your reed centered.

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Question

I did all of this, but whenever I play a low C, it says I am playing a low B flat.

Community Answer

A C on the clarinet is a B flat on any other instrument in the key of C major.

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Question

How do I know if the reed is wet enough?

Community Answer

If the reed isn't wet enough, the sound will be dry and airy.

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Question

I have just started playing a B Flat clarinet and it is really out of tune. This didn't work, any other suggestions?

Community Answer

Try tuning to concert note A. If all of your notes are reading poorly out of tune, or the tuner is not reading the notes correctly, try a different tuner. If all else fails, take your clarinet to a music shop, you probably have a leak or other damage to your clarinet.

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Question

What if I can't play anything lower than a C?

Community Answer

Practice your embouchure, play with more air, and play more frequently! While playing, draw the air from your stomach, not your chest.

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Question

How do I make the note sharper?

Community Answer

You can either hold the clarinet further away from your body or tighten your mouth on the mouthpiece.

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Question

My tune is not good. Why is this?

Community Answer

Try to warm your instrument and embouchure muscles up. Take your scales and play them several times. This will work best with a tuner. Make sure that when you play, you use a good amount of air, siting straight up and breathe using your stomach.

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