Because the clarinet only has odd harmonics in its spectrum, octaves in multiphonics are impossible. But there are a few that come very close, in a way that I find interesting and rather beautiful. These aren’t perfect octaves by any means. But the ways in which they come close produce some totally unique multiphonic sounds. They are close, beating multiphonics that vibrate in the mouth of the player and sounds almost sung.

They aren’t easy to play, but they aren’t as difficult either (I think). There are definitely dyad multiphonics that are far trickier.

The notes inside () represent pitches that you cannot separate in the multiphonic. Pitches are, as ever, transposed.

Enjoy them!

#	Pitch	Fingering	Audio	Notes
30				This one is quite complex, and the top note bends really easily, so it needs to be controlled for the octave effect
31
64
67				You can either have the F# or the C quarter sharp here (I demonstrate the F# second in the recording)
90
104
142				The octave is buried inside this complex multiphonic…
172
176				Rather unstable.
177				Getting rather far from our octaves with this one, but I find it so beautiful… a little tricky to keep both pitches even, as you can hear.
241				Again you can either have the D or the G quarter flat here – I demonstrate both
265				Once again the octave is buried within the multiphonic
324
330				And last but not least — actually this one may well be my favourite.