Klarinet Archive - Posting 000019.txt from 1996/12

From: "David B. Niethamer" <niethamer@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: orsi clarinets
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 07:31:54 -0500

>On Sat, 30 Nov 1996, Linda Bakker wrote:
>
>> The only
>> problem I have noticed so far(on the B flat clarinet) is that when I play
>> 3rd line B with my left little finger it doesn't seal properly and the note
>> doesn't come out unless I use my right hand little finger on the C or B key,
>> but I suppose that could be fixed.
>> Thanks for any suggestions/help
>> Linda
>>
and Rick Johnson replied:
>
>I've had that trouble before,(has anyone not?) and was able to fix it by
>gently bending the keys just so. If you are comfortable with this, go
>ahead and try it; if not, take it to a shop - they probably won't even
>charge you. If they do it won't be much.

May I suggest that, before bending the keys, you check to make sure you
*really* need to do this. close the E/B key, and then press the pad cup
for the F/C. If there is play in this pad cup, then *sometimes* the
answer is to gently bend the crowsfoot under the E/b and F#/C# keys to
make the F/C pad close more securely.

If there is no play, then examine the E/B and F/C pads. If they don't
have a little ring on the surface of the pad (the "seat", where the pad
contacts the tone hole), you can rubber band the LH E/B lever down while
the clarinet is in the case, and this should develop the "seat" once
again and give you a clearer E/B and F/C.

A few cautions - a rubber band will severely tarnish silver plated keys -
put a strip of paper between the rubber band and the key to avoid this.
You can buy pad clamps, but I've stopped even looking for mine - the
rubber band is easier.

IMHO, bending is a tricky business best left to those with the right
tools, which ensures that the bend will be straight. It's all too easy to
bend one side of the cup more than the other, which leaves you with a
leak on one side of the pad. Do not try this at home - professional
driver on closed track, etc, etc.

David

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
niethamer@-----.edu
dbnclar1@-----.com
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/