What type/size reed are you playing? It's been my experience that a stiffer reed will help get some of those high notes to come out more clearly.
Another thing I've been told is that it isn't necessarily the tightness of the embouchure that produces the high notes, rather it's a relaxed embouchure and a steady stream of air. I have problems with the higher notes as well. I play on a Vandoren v45 mouthpiece with a rovner (I think that's what it's called...it's black kevlar anyway <img src="/communityband/ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif" alt="" /> ) ligature with Vandoren 3 1/2 reeds.
Hope that helps!
Matthews
A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~Leopold Stokowski
What type of embrochure are you using, single lip or double lip? I play with a double lip embrochure and though its not much in fashion right now, a double lip embrouchre will tighten up your embrochure and give you better control in the upper registers. Also, its a silly thing, but it works for me also, "think high" when you're reaching for those high notes. This tends to help you sit up straighter and better control over your diaphragm and better breath control. Also as chris advises, take a look at your set-up also. You may need to try not only different strengths of reeds, but also different companys. And also you may need to change your mouthpiece also. Right now, I'm using a Larry Combs LC3 mouthpiece and #3 Mitchell Lurie reeds. The reeds are fairly soft, but coupled with the double lip embrochure, I get the control and sound that's right for me. Good luck! beth
I play usually play 3 1/2 or 4 mitchell lurie reeds with a single lip embrochure. Thank you both for all of your advice!!:) Sorry about not responding earlier, I tried but my computer messed up.
When I first tried getting out my high notes it was a disaster but luckily i had a very good teacher who gave me a very good piece of advice. The three most important things to remember are: 1.Always cover the key holes COMPLETELY 2. Keep your lip tight but not too tight other wise your clarinet will screech. 3.To get your high notes out you have to use your diaphram stand tall and support yourself and push with your stomach
One of my teachers taught me that the key to getting a nice tone on all registers of the clarinet is to open the back of your throat. Two keys that helped me with this were: To drop and pull back your lower jaw (put your finger on your chin - it should be flat, not jutting out, when you have it right. Try it and you'll feel your throat opening up. Second is to think about keeping an area at the back of your mouth open enough to hold an egg. I know this is odd, but think about it when you do the chin thing and you'll get it.
This, and a good steady stream of air from the diaphragm should get a good tone on any notes on the clarinet, without moving your embouchure around too much.
