Klarinet Archive - Posting 000055.txt from 2010/09

From: Jennifer Jones <helen.jennifer@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] breathing problems
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:40:06 -0400

On Sat, Sep 4, 2010 at 5:06 PM, Janice Rosen <operanut@-----.com> wrote:
> Jennifer,
>
> Wow that is a lot of good information. =A0Right now I am using the Level =
1 Easy Fun with Clarinet books. =A0 Very easy popular pieces. =A0Also use t=
he Rubank books, and am now on the Intermediate book. =A0 Last year I learn=
ed one of the Bach chamber pieces that had clarinet accompaniment. =A0 Not =
a very long piece and I enjoy it very much. =A0I was frustrated at not bein=
g able to spend long time practicing it as I had to stop to rest often.
>
> I am going to get the instrument checked out and see what happens. =A0the=
re may be some leaking that I am not aware of.

You can do a check for leaks at home. Take the clarinet apart and
test the two joints separately. Stop the bottom joint with the palm
of your left hand, close the tone holes with your right hand and seal
the top part against your mouth. Suck to pull a vacuum. If you get a
good vacuum that holds for several seconds, the joint is in pretty
good shape. You can also blow and listen for air leaking out of the
joint. If you hear air leaking you can use your bare knee in lieu of
your hand to stop the joint, then run your free hand up and down the
outside of the clarinet to feel where air is escaping. This can also
indicate whether you have loose springs, that don't effectively keep
tone holes shut (e.g., the Eb/G# or B natural/F# keys).

The same can be done with the top joint, switching hands.

An instrument repair tech can to a lot more than this.

Yes. Having to stop and rest often is frustrating.

-Jennifer
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