Klarinet Archive - Posting 000213.txt from 2011/08

From: "Keith Bowen" <keith.bowen@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Selmer Bass Clarinet Difficulty
Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2011 10:34:52 -0400

I had one of these once and the clarion E, F and F# are the most difficult
notes. Check to see if you have one or two speaker keys. If two, the second
one higher up the instrument will open automatically when going from D to E.
If you do have this, then it is quite possibly the adjustment of this pad
that is out. The register keys should change over smartly when removing R3.

If you do not have this mechanism, then these notes are indeed the hardest
on the instrument. Make sure everything else is sealing properly, rods not
loose as Peter says. Then it is a matter of breath support and voicing, that
is, practice long notes, taking the instrument out of your mouth then
repeating, trying to get exactly the same mouth/tongue/etc configuration as
before.

If you are in the UK I could check and regulate this for you quite cheaply.
In the USA try Walter Grabner.

Peter, tightening up rods is also a simple operation unless there is
something else wrong.

Keith Bowen

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Gentry [mailto:peter.gentry@-----.uk]
Sent: 28 August 2011 15:15
To: 'The Klarinet Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [kl] Selmer Bass Clarinet Difficulty

I don't think it is relevant to your problem but just in case - I had
experienced similar problems until I noticed that both the LH Eb and Db keys
had excessive movement on their shafts between the pillars. I now make sure
that both keys are pushed down along their shaft as far as possible before
playing. Sometimes on first playing or after picking up the instrument the
keys are moved upwards and at this extreme of movement the pads do not
properly seal the tone holes. This is not so evident in the lower register
but produces squeaks or refusals to speak in the "soprano" register.

A good technician may be able to re work things to achieve correct seating
without excessive play - but that costs. So for an amateur it is easier just
to check the position before playing. So far they have never moved during
playing - fingers metaphorically crossed.

As you say the more likely issue is with the keys at the top end - do you
dare to make adjustments by careful trial and error? - be sure to be
methodical and note any changes you make so that you can get back to the
start point.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ronald Coleman [mailto:ron.r.coleman@-----.com]
> Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2011 8:04 AM
> To: klarinet@-----.com
> Subject: [kl] Selmer Bass Clarinet Difficulty
>
> I'm having difficulty with a Selmer Bass clarinet - very hard (impossible)
> to play on most clarion notes (especially the clarion E and F). It has no
> obvious problems (pad leaks or cracks in the wood) - I suspect it's an
> adjustment issue with keys at the top end. I've tried finding a Selmer
> tech
> rep for help but have come up blank. Anyone here have any contact info for
> getting in touch with someone knowledgeable about a (circa 1960) French
> made
> Bass... (Ser #T753, model unknown). It's a great sounding instrument when
> it plays right.. It was rebuilt by a shop that (supposedly) knows
> clarinets
> well but the key workings on this instrument are different than any other
> I've seen so I'm not surprised that they maybe just didn't know how to
> properly adjust it either. Thanks, Ron
>
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