Klarinet Archive - Posting 000858.txt from 1999/11

From: "Ian Black" <clarinet1@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Enough about C#, what about long B?
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 14:35:55 -0500

From: Shouryu Nohe <jnohe@-----.edu>
>
> (The pad is quite fine, the tone hole is clear, and I've tried turning the
> bell...but playing a GL, grain inconsistency between the bell and lower
> joint aren't really a problem...the B has been like this for the most part
> since I purchased the instrument.)
>
Have you tried testing for a leak? Take the bottom joint, using the right
hand cover the three holes and depress the B key. Cover the end which
attaches to the bell with the left hand and suck through the top of the
joint (where you would usually attach the top joint). I would expect this to
be fairly airtight, and so you shouldn't be able to suck much air out of it.
If you can, first check the pads are seating correctly. Simple way to do
this is to ask someone to apply pressure to each pad (start with the bottom
one if it's only your B that's problematical), and if you notice more
resistance to your sucking while they press on a pad, that's where your
problem is. Failing that, either buy or make a crack-light. Any bright light
which will fit inside your bottom joint without scratching the barrel will
do. Cover all the tone holes and look for a glimmer of light around any of
the holes, or through the wood (if you can call it wood on a GL). None of
this will help, however, if it's a key resonating with the B pitch. Your
'furry' description could cover one of a few things. If it might be a loose
key vibrating while you play the B, have someone touch the keys one by one
as you play the note. If it stops with this, again you've found your
culprit.

If neither of these work, I'm stuck.

If it's been like that since you bought the instrument (if you bought it
new, or from a dealer if used) try going back to the dealer and asking them
to have a repair tech look at it. This is more likely to cost you the longer
ago you bought it.

Best of luck with it...

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