Question:
low c
I had my third official lesson last week but i'm also using Larry Teals book at home. My problem is with low c. Up until about two days ago I was fine but now it seems like I can't hit the note without it sounding like i'm using vibrato {I'm not :razz: } I've tried adnauseum to change my embouche{ sp????} but nothing has worked. Any thoughts????
Thanks
Vicki

Answer:
I'm pretty new at this stuff too, so please take my advice as another beginner's opinion.
From what I have learned to date there are a few possible causes, a leak in your horn probably higher up in the horn or not enough breath support. What I have found happens is when I start to have trouble with one particular note I tense up when when I try to play whatever it is that I'm struggling with which exacerbates the problem since my throat tightens up and the airstream loses its support.
Since you are getting lessons I would discuss this with your instructor and see if they can see/hear the source of the problem. If you are lucky enough to have an instructor who is also a tech, like mine is, they can at least rule out the leak issue so you can focus on playing.
One other thing, those low notes can be tough for us beginners, I wouldn't get too discouraged at this point about having trouble with low C. Assuming there isn't a problem with the horn, keep practicing and it will come.

Answer:
Hi Vicki,
I've got a whole two months on you and I went through the same phase when I started. One piece of info I picked up from a pro was to move my ligature back on the mouthpiece a little. I was choking the reed too much and it couldn't vibrate.
The other part is practice, practice, practice.......... and give yourself time. Now when I practice my scales, I experiment with my embouchure as I drop down through the scale and keep trying to get that right sound, but I don't stay on it all day. A little each day and move on.
Mine's getting better little by slow, and your's will too.

Answer:
Vicki -
I've found that for the very low notes, loosening my embouchure by dropping my jaw ever so slightly gives me the best result.
Frank

Answer:
Don't forget your breath support! It may take a little bit extra on low notes. If the support is adequate, your embouchure shouldn't change or at least change very little.
Curt G

Answer:
low c
Thank you everyone. I believe that my problem with low C is probably a combination of all the above. I worked on all of it and changed my reed and I'm actually doing a bit better but I still have occasions where I revert back to vibrating and then i'm stuck again for a little while. First and foremost I think that I needed to change the breath support. Once I mess up on that note it seems to take on a life of it's own from there on in :twisted:
The one question that I did want to throw out there is about Reeds---- I currently use a 1-1/2 , should I consider changing yet?
Thanks
Vicki

Answer:
It won't hurt to try. The reed strength wouldn't have that much effect on the low notes, though. With a stiffer reed, you may need even more support also.

Answer:
When i use softer reeds, the lower notes tend not to speak at all. Try a half or whole size thicker.

Answer:
It's not the "vibrato" that you think, it's the gurgling problem with low notes... Try pushing the mpc a little further, most of the time the problem will disappear... If not, there is a leak somewhere.
kenny.