 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Elantravision
Date: 2003-03-24 17:57
I just bought my first Clarinet this morning. The last time I played this instrument was 7 years ago when I took grade 9 music... Well, I thought it would be like riding a bike; you never forget, I was greatly mistaken.
The Clarinet is a Buesher BU-2, the fellow that helped my at the instrument shop gave me two 2.5 reeds. So after getting home and piecing it together I have found that I can only play the top three finger holes, once I use my right hand on the lower portion, I lose the note. What the heck am I doing wrong? Also, what I need it a diagram/description of how the mouthpiece/reed/ligature should be assembled so that it can be properly played.
I must add that I took to this instrument very well when I was 14, I had taken piano lessons for nearly 8 years. I guess I just need to get the ball rolling.
Thanks in advance.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-03-24 18:06
Make sure the bridge mechanism is lined up correctly (the keys linking the upper and lower joints). If it's off, the first hole of your lower joint rings won't close all the way.
If that's not the problem, check this: when you close the first tone hole on the lower joint, is the side of your right index finger pressing open the bottom trill key on the upper joint? That would happen to me a lot.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
Post Edited (2003-03-24 19:13)
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Author: Elantravision
Date: 2003-03-24 18:15
I believe I know the piece you are talking about. I don't recall any of the proper terminology so please bare with me. Where the first and second joints connect there is an arm from the upper joint that overlaps the arm that comes from the lower joint. I when I depress the first hole on the second joint, it pivots the arm up wards, which in turn closes the valve between the first and second hole on the upper joint. Is that what you were referring to? Everything is lining up as it should. I think it the reed configuration... or at least the way I've set it up.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-03-24 18:22
Yes, that's what I'm referring to.
Your problem doesn't sound as if it's reed-related. If your sound stops in its tracks when you get to the lower joint fingerings, something is disrupting the airflow through the instrument. It could be one of the problems I described, or maybe you're just not closing the tone hole completely. Still, if you played well 7 years ago, it's doubtful you'd regress on something so fundamental this much.
Try this -- play the low Bb (all holes closed on upper joint, right index finger covering first hole on lower joint). Then go up to the top line F (same fingering as above but apply register key behind left thumb). Are you getting a sound now?b
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-03-24 18:27
If the arm is fixed correctly, then that's not the problem. Do you remember how to put the reed on? When hold the mouthpiece up to eye level looking at the reed, there should be a a very slight black part of the mouthpiece tip visible. Meaning the reed should not be even with the mouthpiece tip, but just slightly below it. I mean a hair below it. When you press down your fingers, do it slowly and make sure that not only are you pressing the sliver ring down, but that the flesh on the finger completely covers the hole. Do just your index finger and press tight if you have to at first. Just make sure the hole is completely covered.
Check (like above) that the side of your index finger hits nothing while you're pressing it down. Don't hit those levers on the right of the upper joint.
Alexi
PS - It might be worthwhile to get a few lessons. Once a week or once every other week for just a few months till you can get the sound out well and develop a decent embouchre (mouth position). Then you decide whether you want to continue lessons or just practice on your own with study guides or books.
Lessons will definitely help you get better, quicker. And cuts down on the frustration.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-03-24 18:30
By the way, the bridge keys should be lined up as such:
http://www.gracewindsmusic.com/repair//images/clar04.jpg
Don't visually line up the holes between the upper and lower joints; when the joints are properly assembled, the holes can look just slightly out of alignment with each other. Let the bridge keys be your guide to proper alignment between the joints.r
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-03-24 18:42
And here's a good page with pictures of assembling a clarinet, including putting the reed on the mouthpiece.
http://www.zacharymusic.com/Zachary_Music/CLcarePics.htm
Ignore where it says the best way to dry a clarinet is to let it air dry. Swab it out every time you finish playing.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
Post Edited (2003-03-24 19:47)
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Author: Elantravision
Date: 2003-03-25 04:16
RalphG, I can't thank you enough. The link to zacharymusic.com was especially useful. I was lining the holes up rather than as the site suggested. Doing it my way, the bridge keys did function, but not too the desired degree. More importantly, I forgot that before playing the reed needs to be moistened. I hadn't done that at all; instead I was blowing like a madman, and to no avail... much like trying to blow-up a glass bottle. lol
Thanks again for your help.
Unfortunately I can't put this to use yet since I just got home from afternoon shift, and I don't think I need to wake up the entire neighbourhood.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-03-25 04:54
Let us know how it goes when you finally do try it out.
Yeah, a wet reed makes all the difference. Good luck.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-03-25 12:20
With the clarinet assembled, when you press the right hand first finger, two padded keys close, one on the lower section of the clarinet and one on the upper.
It is very common with new instruments for these two not to close properly, i.e. the back of the pad seals but the front (furthest from the hinge) does not. You can test this closure by dragging a sliver of cellophane ( or similar) from under the pad(s) while the key is lightly closed. There should be equal 'drag' right around both pads.
This is likewise common on the lowest and third lowest pads, and also the pad operated by first finger LEFT hand, i.e. all pads that are normally open.
This occurs when a pad is slightly too thick for the space it occupies between the key cup and the tone hole.
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Author: Elantravision
Date: 2003-03-25 14:54
Here's the verdict. I can now hear a tone when playing the right hand keys, however I still feel like I'm inflating a hot-air balloon. It shouldn't be this hard to direct wind into this instrument while still making music. Perhaps the angle at which I'm trying to work at is incorrect. I'm not giving up that easy. lol
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-03-25 20:01
Is it difficult to play the left hand notes, or does the difficulty begin only once you apply right hand?
If you're having trouble throughout, you could just be out of shape. Practice, get a teacher, get to where you feel at home with a clarinet in your hands and a mouthpiece in your mouth.
If it's right hand only, maybe something is out of adjustment on your horn. Since you just bought it, take it back to the shop and have them look it over.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-03-26 04:54
Have you yet checked the upper section for leaks? Cork in the bottom end, close the holes, and blow in the top end.
I'm wondering if your G#/C# pad is leaking (left hand little finger).
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Author: funkymunky
Date: 2003-04-03 05:27
definitly sounds like a leaking pad. play each note from top to bottom till the sound stops, while holding down the top note then press your finger right behind a few pads on the key. If any of these are leaking you should hear a difference. ,, If nothing take off the lower section and put a cork in the bottom hole or a finger will work, take off reed and suck on it. you should feel the suction then, then try blowing trough it it not hard but normaly.. no leaks repeat process with bottom section.
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Author: Tom A
Date: 2003-04-03 10:52
Sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but I think something Ralph said at the start was misunderstood and hasn't been properly addressed.
The (possibly) non-closing pad he referred to originally is the VERY top pad on the lower joint, the one that is not actually pressed by the fingers, but which lowers when the fingers close over the holes.
If the bridge arms are not aligned, then this pad may not close when the holes are covered, and I find that this is the most common cause of trouble if the C is clean but anything lower is unclear.
The reason is that the pad on the UPPER joint which closes at the same time (see Gordon NZ above; Kia Ora, Gordon) reaches its closed position before the lower joint pad is down and prevents the lower joint pad from closing over the hole properly.
But a mis-aligned bridge may not be the only cause of the two pads closing out of sync. It is possible for this to happen even when the bridge is aligned, which means that adjustment of the bridge is necessary as Ralph mentioned.
Let us know. Cheers.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-04-03 14:09
You are receiving all sorts of good info, the cl is more complicated than you may have thot, right?? I'd suggest getting an early instruction booklet, or perhaps JackBrymer's $10 paperback book for help/reference. Also contact a reasonably skilled cl'ist, ask him/her to play your cl, to both demonstrate and look for problems. Perhaps you can locate a teacher, a very good idea to avoid developing "bad habits", which are common to beginners. Welcome to a good group, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-04-03 15:48
William the Conquerer is correct (and thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule conquering the Normans and all to address this). I was referring to the first hole on the lower joint not closing fully. The link to the hole on the upper joint is probably not causing the problem; if you're getting the C out, the upper joint is fine.
Thanks for clearing that up. I didn't read it closely enough to see that he wasn't referring to the lower joint.e
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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