Klarinet Archive - Posting 000456.txt from 2002/12

From: b6w@-----.net (Bill Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] Intonation and allergies
Date: Thu, 19 Dec 2002 11:20:33 -0500

<><> Natalie wrote:
When I got my clarinet about a year ago

I don't mean to dispute the advice that others have given you, but "one
year" is about the time when maintenance is needed. I'd like to repeat
my suggestion to have a check up before you spend money on other things.
Or at least ask an experienced player to test your instrument.

I had the same sort of problems at my one year mark, and somebody ---
here on the list? my teacher? my own 'common sense'? I don't remember
now --- urged me to have a $25 check-up. It turned out that a
half-dozen different adjustments brought everything back into good
shape. !!! I was truly astounded at how much difference a few tweaks
on various screws and a removal of a bit of gunk here and there made!
These small things sneak up you until suddenly the combination of all of
them overpowers you. Then superstitious behavior sets in, and you end
up with a set-up that wouldn't work even if everything else were in good
shape.

The basics first!

In a post here on the list, I made jokes about how, from then on, I
would "get a check-up once a year whether I needed it or not."

But it's no joke, Natalie. Do it first, and then think about
mouthpieces and barrels later. That's my recommendation.

Cheers,
Bill

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