 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bobber
Date: 2004-02-19 01:34
I have a stupid newby question. Why is it that when I play my clarinet, after a little while, I have difficulty getting the B at the register shift to blow?
![[huh]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie11.gif)
It is like the reed is clamping down on the mouthpiece and no air will flow through. When I change to C or higher, or B-flat or lower, or drop the register key the air flows normally, but it clamps up on B.
Bobber
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-02-19 02:17
This B happens to be one of the most difficult notes to play. Someone else can handle the possible mechanical defects, but the following needs to be done no matter how good your instrument is: The long B needs more support from the diaphram AND good air flow than any other note. Also, we sometimes unconsciously close off our throat and/or pinch the reed in the effort to get the note.
Before playing, think of taking in a comfortable breath, firming up the diaphram muscles to hold the tension of the breath you just took, relax and open the throat. Then play - the air should flow comfortably, but with strength behind it especially if you play softly. With the strong support from below (not from your arms, shoulders, throat or jaw) the B should sound every time.
This is the easiest and cheapest thing to try. Clarinet repair, i.e. a loose or ill-fitting pad or slightly twisted key could be another problem. But from teaching young ones I've found that big problems come with either trying too hard causing the notes to be pinched off or from not supporting the air enough. I've had the same problem when I get lazy and just rely on lung power alone to carry me through, and the B will come along and give me a swift, silent kick to remind me to sit up and behave.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2004-02-19 04:31
Another image to use for the "long" B is that of having a clarinet that is at least 6 inches (15 cm) longer than what you have. This is a good "imagery technique for setting the air column up for the vibrations required...
Katrina
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2004-02-19 08:22
It may well be a mechanical problem. Try playing the B using your left little finger ("pinky") to close the B key, with your right little finger not doing anything. Now play B again, still using the left-hand key, but this time using your right little finger to press the C key. If the second time is much easier than the first, this suggests that the mechanism is out of adjustment.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2004-02-19 10:43
Hi,
This same thing was happening to me as well on my Noblet Artist. It needed a new pad on the last bottom key. That cleared it up for me.
It is a hard note to play anyway, it appears. But once physical issues are resolved and it is still hard to play, it might need a pad or an adjustment.
That was my experience anyway.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-02-19 11:09
Definitely get the instrument serviced. B should not be a difficult note unless you have leaks around the 6 fingers which directly close tone holes.
This (F/C & E/B) is by far the most common area of a clarinet to have leaks past the pads, and these can be caused by either poor pad installation/sealing, poor linkage adjustment, or MANY other mechanical faults.
Also, any leaks further up the instrument may seriously affect this note.
It is also the most demanding area for a technician to get right. So do thorough reputation research before you decide which technician to take it to. There are probably many players who have never had the luxury of using a well adjusted clarinet.
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