Klarinet Archive - Posting 000985.txt from 1999/05

From: Gary Truesdail <gtruesdail@-----.us>
Subj: Re: [kl] register key height and throat Bb
Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 12:58:46 -0400

The distance a pad is removed from a tone hole does have a difference on
the tone, clarity, and response of a particular fingering. Proof- just
try to barely open a key and hear the diffenence. Just how much the key
has to clear to get maximum quality of everything differs with the width
of the tone hole. I don't remember any more (I spent 6 years as a
clarinet repairperson while going through college in the 60's) but I
think a pad must clear AT LEAST 1/3 the width of the tone hole. Someone
feel free to correct me on this, then we'll all know for sure.

Try different pad materials on your register key to see what changes you
get.

Also, sometimes, when removing the register key and replacing it, you
may couse a leak around the tube itself. Be sure to use some form of
sealant to prevent this. An up to date repairman can help you with
this. I encountered this several times on instruments whose problem
defied detecting.

Also, if a side key spring is getting weak it will almost open when you
play other notes or only when you play a note that has a related
frequency. It can cause stuffiness to other isolated fingerings you
would not even suspect were related even though the fingering still
worked and didn't squeak or anything else go wrong. I have had these
minute leaks even prevent you from getting air to go through the horn,
and just the opposite, the key would OBVIOUSLY be opening but you could
still play. How about this one - an open octave key but the horn
wouldn't change octaves. Weird but true.

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