Klarinet Archive - Posting 000673.txt from 1997/05

From: kathi@-----.com (Kathi Atkins)
Subj: Re: Please Help Me!!
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 05:45:48 -0400

I really did mean the alt. key for F#/B natural. You know, the one with all
fingers closed on the left hand and on the right hand your first finger and
that key. I have the problem under control now. Thanks so much,
~~~Kathi~~~

>Kathy,
> F#/B natural? If you mean the LH pinky key which plays F#/C#,
>there are usually 2 reasons it sticks. One is that somehow it got bent and
>and it is rubbing against the long B key. The othere common one is that
>with the very moist weather (at least here in the East) the post has bound
>up. In that case, try to loosen the screw turning it in 1/8-of-a-turn
>segments. Each time, try out the key. If you get the screw virtually all
>the way out and it is still sticking, forget this remedy and resign
>yourself to taking it to the shop.
> A possible third reason which is unusual, is that the "fishskin"
>(or whatever has been used to cushion that male-female joint between the
>long key and the little part which attaches to the other key) has managed
>to work itself loose and is gumming up the works. If you look and see a
>wad of 'stuff' in that little joint, try to pull it away with a pin. The
>worst you can do is make the instrument a little noisy, so have no fear
>about that. Hope any of these solutions work.
>
>Fred Jacobowitz
>Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory
>