 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2004-09-06 22:12
?????Any mileage in compiling a
"Really useful and simple ideas list."???????
Don't know if this has been done here, but might be interesting and a great forum for swapping ideas on different facets of playing.
Just to get the ball rolling - what about a spot of fluorescent paint or tape right on the top of your clarinet spike - good for colleagues who double in dim orchestra/band pits and when there's not much time to switch.
or--- the foam pad and white strip to stop from mistakenly picking up an open clar case (previous postings)
Any aspect of playing - from physical support of the instrument to insurance cover.
Most people will have pet things they can share.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-09-06 23:30
A very simple, but useful tip which I tell to my students:
Always apply a very small amount cork grease to the clarinet on disassembly, prior to putting it back into the case. That way, on asssembly, the clarinet will already be pre-greased and you will not have to get your fingers full of cork grease...GBK
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-09-07 01:10
As most of us are aware, I have been an advocate of "thumb rest location reform" for years, either by the simple reversal, or better, but perhaps a bit costly, an adjustable TR and its higher position. As to innovation/invention, who wouldn't like to have their name associated with the paper/hair clip or, somewhat more complex, the helicopter, or Cr catalyzed polyolefins ?? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Contra
Date: 2004-09-07 05:27
Always make sure your case is closed.
Do not leave a clarinet in a very hot or very cold car. I lost half of my first clarinet to that.
The larger the clarinet, the more care has to be put into it. A five piece low C bass clarinet needs more care putting together than a four piece low Eb version. A contrabass clarinet generally needs more care than a soprano.
The more expensive it was, the more care is needed.
A good mouthpiece cover is worth three mouthpieces in the garbage can.
Rain = bad
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2004-09-07 05:31
That's great - keep them coming.
Here's one -
Breathing !
Most of us are guilty of taking in a breath immediately before we play. This does not promote accuracy of entry. This also has the added hazard of the possible inhalation of saliva with no time for a spluttered recovery before musical entry. Of course, if the music gives you only a short value rest you can't help this, BUT if say, you have a long (several bars) rest, for goodness sake take the opportunity to clear your lungs by breathing out deeply (getting rid of stored CO2) at this time and then breathe in at a measured time before your entry (depending on the tempo of the music).
Then you only have to think about coming in accurately by removing your tongue from the reed to generate sound. Esp good for orchestral wind section and ensemble entries.
It's simple, but not something that always comes naturally.
RT
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-09-07 08:22
Don Berger wrote: "As most of us are aware, I have been an advocate of "thumb rest location reform" for years, either by the simple reversal, or better, but perhaps a bit costly, an adjustable TR and its higher position."
I relocated the thumbrest on my clarinet myself. It's really quite easy. Just drill really small holes where you want it and move it there. I actually moved it back to the former location because my thumb hurt in the new location (I hold the entire clarinet properly so for me the weird location of the thumbrest is good).
bob49t wrote: "Then you only have to think about coming in accurately by removing your tongue from the reed to generate sound. Esp good for orchestral wind section and ensemble entries."
I don't know about you but I don't just remove my tounge when starting a note, I start blowing too. You can still take the breath more time before like you suggested.
On my bass I had a screw that was too loose. An easy way to prevent it from moving is dropping a few drops of wax from a candle on it (only the the screw is lower than the metal thingie it's screwed to) and then it won't move.
Post Edited (2004-09-07 08:43)
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-09-07 13:27
clarnibass wrote:
<<I relocated the thumbrest on my clarinet myself. It's really quite easy. Just drill really small holes where you want it and move it there. I actually moved it back to the former location because my thumb hurt in the new location (I hold the entire clarinet properly so for me the weird location of the thumbrest is good)>>
May I attach caution to this approach - from my experiences of my own work and that of other technicians.......
The screws used for thumb rests are normally a copper alloy, and rather weak. Grenadilla is a very hard timber.
Thumb rest screws need as much grip as they can possibly get. To be reliably secure, threads need to be made with the right size hole, followed by a threading tap, i.e. the timber needs to be treated as if it were metal.
If the hole is large enough for the screw to be just forced into an untapped hole then its grip will be a lot less. The semblance of a thread made in the timber will be easily stripped as the screw is wrenched out.
If the hole is made a little smaller, for more grip, then the head of the screw will break off, or the slot will be destroyed, before the screw enters far enough. Alternatively the timber can split, especially if a WOOD screw of the tapered variety is used, especially if this screw is made from steel.
clarnibass may have struck it lucky.... SO FAR!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-09-07 14:14
TKS, Gordon for your [usual] fine advice. As most often the case, prof. help is a dern good idea! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-09-07 15:21
Well I agree but it was simple since I had a special drill my old clarinet teacher bought especially for this kinds of things. You seem to think I don't have the skills for it or something, saying it was luck. I don't know why you say that. I have fixed my clarinets a few times before (changed pads, keys getting stuck, etc.) and never had even the slightest problem. I hope to become a clarinet repaiman too someday and even build clarinets (have my own clarinet company if possible or work for good company) and I think i'm off to a good start.
Anyway, if you don't have the right tools or skills then you shouldn't try it of course.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-09-07 16:15
Sorry, C B, I [nor prob. Gordon] did not know of your expertises in cl repair etc, please accept my apology. We have so many "shade tree mechanics" and newbies asking questions, so that we just assume little capability and understanding. Promise to be more cautious. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Contra
Date: 2004-09-07 22:00
Always keep a small flat-head eyeglass screwdriver in your case. You never know when a screw will come loose.
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2004-09-07 23:39
With A piece of styrofoam (coffee cup) and a reed knife, you can make a quick replacement pad for your clarinet. A friend of mine actually did this.
Keep some rubberbands in your case too for quick repairs. They can hold things that you've just glued in place temporarily or be a quick substitute for a spring that's popped.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-09-08 01:06
Aside from the very obvious supplies to carry in your case at all times (screwdrivers, rubberbands, knife, complete set of pads, matches, etc... ) two essential items to have (and ones that I NEVER leave the house without) are a roll of teflon tape and a small sheet of green felt (with self adhesive backing).
The teflon tape is ideal for when a tenon cork needs a quick replacement, until a permanent repair can be made.
The green self adhesive felt is for a quick temporary repair of the cork on any key, crow's foot or bridge key which may come off (and, of course, you cannot find) at the most inappropriate time...GBK
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