Klarinet Archive - Posting 000700.txt from 2000/05

From: MVinquist@-----.com
Subj: RE: [kl] Upper range difficulties
Date: Sun, 14 May 2000 11:57:37 -0400

John W. Sheridan writes:

>>I had my Buffet overhauled. [Now,] frequently my high E, Be, and D come out
as >>squeaks. I use a standard fingering, L2,L3, thumb & register key.

John -

In addition to Gary's suggestion to check the pad connected to the left index
finger ring, I would check 3 additional places:

1. The adjusting screw for the throat Ab key may be screwed in too far,
leaving the Ab pad slightly open.

2. The bridge key between the upper and lower joints may be misadjusted,
preventing the pad connected to the lower joint rings from closing completely.

3. That same pad (connected to the lower joint rings) may not be seated
properly.

If none of these is causing the problem, check the pads on the upper joint
for leaks. A "vacuum test" is a quick diagnostic. Take just the upper joint
and cover all the holes with your left hand fingers in their usual spots.
Block the bore opening with the heel of your right hand, wrap your lips
around the top tenon, suck out as much air as you can and block the bore with
your tongue. The vacuum should hold for at least 30 seconds on a newly
overhauled instrument, and 10 seconds at a minimum.

Check the joints to make sure there is no wiggle at the bottom of the barrel
or in the center joint. A worn center joint cork can both leak and throw the
bridge keys out of alignment.

Take off the register key and run a dampened pipe cleaner through it. Any
build-up in there can cause upper register problems, and a thread, hair or
anything similar can get caught at any time, with no fault on the part of the
repair shop.

Check your reed, mouthpiece and barrel. A tiny split in the reed, or a thin
area at the tip (particularly at a corner), can cause squeaks. Many
mouthpieces have a very narrow area for the reed to seal at the tip corners.
Any leak there will make you squeak, and a simple adjustment of reed position
may cure the problem.

Finally, put your mouthpiece and barrel on a friend's clarinet and have your
friend do the same for your instrument. Try it again just with the
mouthpieces. This will help you narrow down the possible cause of the
problem.

Good luck.

Ken Shaw

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