Klarinet Archive - Posting 000827.txt from 1996/02

From: Steve Prescott <MIPRESC@-----.EDU>
Subj: f#/b.....bridge regulation
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 1996 10:12:29 -0500

Bill,

When you assemble the instrument (specifically the 2 keyed joints), make
sure the posts holding the lower ring key (lower keyed joint) and the
D/A
ring key (upper joint) are in a straight line. Check to see if the D/A
ring key pad and the lower ring key pad (top most pad on upper joint)
are
closing together. Use a piece of cassette tape or a piece of cigarette
paper to check the regulation between these two pads. Below I have
included a section on clarinet regulation that I use for the class I
teach.

Clarinet Regulation:

Tools Needed: Supplies Needed:

Saftey glasses
Screwdriver (small,large) None
Pad slick
Smooth jaw pliers (to align bridge)
Feeler gauge (cassete tape or cigarette paper)

Basics for all clarinet regulations:

1. All pads are level and seated.
2. The clarinet is assembled properly, with the upper and lower ring
key posts
in line with each other.
3. All corks are the proper thickness.
4. Bridge is not bent out of alignment.
5. The feeler gauge is inserted between the pad and the tone hole at
the 6:00
position. The key is closed with normal playing pressure.

Procedure outline:

1. Throat G# to A
2. Ring height
3. Lower ring key to D/A ring key (bridge)
4. E/B to F/C
5. Play the instrument

Procedure in detail (#'s below refer to #'s above)

1. There should be slight lost motion between the throat A key and the
G# key. In other word, the A key will travel slightly when opened
before it makes contact with the regulation screw attached to the G#
key. Turn this screw counter clockwise to achieve lost motion. Use the
feeler gauge to make certain both the throat A and the throat G# are
closing. Insert the feeler under the A key pad, allow the key to close
on the feeler and remove the feeler, noting the drag. The same is done
for the G#. The drag should feel the same for both keys.

2. The rings on the clarinet that surround the raised tone holes
(chimneys) should be slightly higher (.5mm) than the surface of the
chimneys when the key 's in the closed position. If the ring is to
high, insert the pad slick between the pad of the key and its tone hole
and flex downward on the ring. If you are adjusting the lower rings,
make sure you flex all three at once. If the ring is too low (the
chimney is sticking up past the ring when the key is closed), hold the
ring (s) up while flexing the pad cup downward. If the Thumb ring key
is too high, hold the arm extending off of the back of the F#/B ring key
down while flexing the thumb ring key down. If the ring is too low, pry
the thumb ring key up carefully. Ring height is subjective, varying
from player to player.

3. The bridge mechanism must be in for this step. The bridge arm and
foot must be parellel with the hinge rods they extend from. To adjust
the bridge so that the D/A ring key and the lower ring key close
together, insert the feeler under the pad of the D/A ring key and close
the key from the lower ring key. Note the drag (if any) while pulling
the feeler out. Insert the feeler under the pad of the lower ring key,
close the key and note the drag. Both keys should have equal drag. If
the D/A ring key pad has more drag than the lower ring key pad, flex the
upper bridge upward. Check the drag again as above. If the lower ring
key has more drag, hold the D/A ring key pad cup down firmly against the
tone hole while flexing the upper bridge downward.

4. Insert the feeler under the pad of the E/B key and close the key
from the left E/B touchpiece (lever). Pull the feeler out, noting the
drag. Insert the feeler under the pad of the F/C key and again close the
key from the left E/B touchpiece and pull the feeler out, noting the
drag. The drag should be equal between the two keys. If the drag f the
F/C key is heavier, push down firmly on the right hand F/C touchpiece,
flexing it past the point where the pad hits the tone hole. If the drag
is heavier under the E/B key, close the E/B key from the pad cup and
flex the crow's foot upward.

5. Play the instrument

(please use this for educational purposes or self use only)

Steve.
Steve Prescott
Instrument Rep.Tech./Clarinetist
Indiana State University
mipresc@-----.edu

   
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