I'm Playing A Bb Clarinet, But It Seems That I'm Always Flat. This Have Never Happen Before.

[Booya99]

When I'm playing, I can hear that there's air leak at the sides and it also sounds quite wavy. Is it because I'm not blowing enough air? Or is there something wrong with embouchure, too weak?

[shoota]

If you are playing the music as written you will be flat - on a Bb instrument you have to transpose up a key and a note.

[shoota]

http://www.wikihow.com/Transpose-Music-From-C-to-B-Flat

[Booya99]

By flat, I mean the tuning.

[The Builder]

I was going to suggest you push the mouthpiece on a bit further. That'll sharpen it up, but, with the air leaks, it sounds as though your embouchure isn't strong enough.

Forgive me if I'm telling you what you already know, but a good embouchure has to be firm enough to support the note, but relaxed enough to be expressive.

Also, take a good lungful first off, and push from the diaphragm the whole time you're blowing. Try just long, single notes. Sounds simple, but it is great practice for "centreing your sound.

[saxy_jag]

Is it made of wood or of a synthetic material? If the former, then it's worth checking it (or getting it checked) for any hairline cracks. Whatever it's made of, get the pads/rods on the closed holes checked for damage or misalignment, even if it's a new instrument.