Klarinet Archive - Posting 000433.txt from 1999/02

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] key problem
Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 08:28:48 -0500

"Mark A. Bradley" wrote:
>
> Today in rehearsal a problem happened with my E11 in the lower joint. I
> will try to explain it to see if any of you know what it may be since
> myself and my band director could not figure out what happened.
>
> The right-hand pinky key that plays E and B somehow was much too high
> above the spatula mechanism that lowers the F/C key when F#/C# or E/B is played.

Mark,

After reading Fred's response to your key problem, it occurred to me
that he might be right. If the right hand pinkie got snagged from below,
it could well be bent. Usually, when this happens, it is not the touch
part (the key spatula) nor the pad cup arm that gets bent. These two
parts of the key keep their relationship and the angles of both these
key parts coming off the hinge rod are untouched. What happens is the
overriding arm that goes over to left hand lever gets bent upward. That
too would explain the E/B key suddenly being well above the crow foot.
Tell us, when playing E or B with just the right hand key, do the F/C
and E/B pads still close together in synchronous motion? If the answer
is yes, then it is the overriding arm that is bent up.

To bend it back down, get something good and hard and fairly heavy, like
a large pair of electricians pliers. Press the E/B key closed and, using
the flat, smooth side of the pliers, slowly apply pressure on the raised
arm. Gradually increase pressure until you think you've felt a little
give under the pressure of the pliers. Check to see if the key spatula
is now lower and low enough to be in contact with the crow foot. If not,
do it a little more.

WARNING!!!! When doing this kind of key bending, there is always the
risk that you might break the key. If you don't feel confident in doing
this kind of risky business, best to leave it to a repairman. If the key
were to break, it would have to be silver soldered. Not a happy
prospect. This is, however, the risk the repairman takes. The big
difference is that he has experience with bending keys and has learned
how to pull it off without overdoing it and causing the key to break.
Even then, it can happen and then the repairman must stand behind his
work and make it right.

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