Klarinet Archive - Posting 000844.txt from 1999/11

From: Sfdr@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Hans Moennig's Solution To The Fuzzy C#
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 03:01:30 -0500

In addition to the Throat Bb, the left hand, little finger C# in one of
the worst notes on the clarinet. I too thought the problem was in the pad
and key small key height. However, when the C# key is removed from the
clarinet and the note is still stuffy, then the problem is not in the pad or
key clearance. Now, Where is the problem? The problem is in the tone hole.
I watched W. Hans Moennig correct this problem on hundreds of new and
used clarinets. According to Mr. Moennig, the placement and design of the C#
tone hole is flawed. The hole is too high on the which make the note sharp.
The hole is too small, which make the note stuffy. And the tone hole is
drilled at an angle which makes the note susceptible to water gurgles. If the
hole is enlarged to correct the stuffy timbre, the pitch will rise. If the
tone is plugged and redrilled at a lower spot the tenon wall is weaken.
Normally Mr. Moennig would undercut tone holes to improve the stuffy timbre,
but due to the proximity of the water track to the bottom of he C# hole,
undercutting would create a flood in that small hole.
During the 1930s French Clarinet makers drilled the C# tone hole at an
upward angle. (see Ex. 1) The logic was to lengthen the tone hole to make the
pitch flatter. During the 1950s Clarinet makers drilled the tone hole to a
straight pattern. (see Ex. 2) This Straight pattern caused the C# to increase
in pitch so the makers made the hole smaller in diameter thus creating a
stuffy timbre. After 1971, many clarinet makers drilled the C# tone hole at
a downward angle.(Ex. 3) Unfortunately that "great idea" made the note, both
sharp and stuffy.
_____ _____________ ___________ ________
Reed_1. \___ 2. l l 3./ / (BELL

To remedy this age old problem with the C#, Hans Moennig would alter the
side of the hole closest to the bell only. He would take cylindrical file and
remove the wood on the lower side of the tone hole.(See Ex.4) This new design
would give the C# maximum resonance and minimum sharpness. (See Ex. 5)

_______ ______ _____
Reed 4 . / [l]: 5. / ( Bell

To measure the C# tone hole angle place and drill bit into the hole and
check drill placement in relationship to the outside wall of the instrument.
The drill should be 90 degrees to the wall of the horn. A small 3/16 coarse
file is recommended for this procedure. Round the tip with a grinder or coat
the tip with hot glue to prevent bore scratches. Angle the file towards the
bore on the bell side of the tonehole and gradually file the proper angle of
the hole. The diameter of the C# hole should be large enough for a #13 wire
drill to fit loosely into.

Good Luck,
Alvin Swiney
Affordable Music Co.
P. O. Box 4245
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
757-412-2160 fax 412-2158
E mail Corkpad@-----.com
Website www.corkpad.com

In a message dated 11/21/99 11:16:31 AM EST, rbushidioglot@-----.net writes:

<< What the makers do is move the hole higher, and so it won't be so sharp,
make it
smaller. Basically, the tone hole is too high and too small to give the best
possible tone. Now, if everything else isn't at its best, this note can
quickly
become a problem.
>>

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