Klarinet Archive - Posting 000723.txt from 1998/07

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] E/B Key
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 23:42:14 -0400

At 06:47 PM 7/21/98 +0200, Dirk Kussin wrote:
>Hello!
>
>I would like to ask a question concerning the key (for little finger
>left hand or right hand) which closes the hole nearest to the bell.
>
>I now have my second clarinet (the first was a beginners instrument,
>now I have a pro), and on both I have problems with this key: I have
>to press it very strongly in order to get the hole dense. Slightly
>decreasing the pressure of the finger to this key leads to truncating
>the tone immediately. Also, there are problems with the response of
>the tone if the pressure is not strong enough from the beginning. The
>problem is present for both the LH and RH key.
>
>My questions:
>
> Is this a usual (well-known) problem?
>
> Is this "normal", and I just have to press strong enough?
>
> Or is this not "normal" and should and can be fixed by a repairman?
>
1.) This is a very common problem.

2.) It is not normal.

3.) Your clarinet is out of adjustment, by just enough to cause a problem
without making it stop playing altogether. This may be a result of the
fresh corks and pads compressing or a pad not seating quite properly, very
common on new instruments. Take it to a competent technician, explain the
problem, and he should be able to fix it very easily and inexpensively.

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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