 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: BassClarinetGirl
Date: 2005-07-02 19:57
I'm having a problem with my Selmer 9*. I hadn't played it for awhile because I've been away all summer, but when I was trying to practice my music for church tomorrow, I noticed a major problem with my register key. I can play all the lower notes fine, but when I try to play middle Bb, it sounds horrible. The tone is airy and doesn't sound like Bb at all. Playing an A is fine, as is the alternate (side) Bb. It is also affecting the upper notes. I took off the register key and cleaned the tube, but no change. Any ideas as to what is wrong before I take it in?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fred
Date: 2005-07-02 20:16
I think you were on the right track by cleaning the register tube. Is it possible that you just shoved the fuzzball to the upper rim of the tube and your playing redeposited it into the tube? It takes very little in the tube to make a big difference.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: cujo
Date: 2005-07-02 21:19
If the tube is clean. It very possible the key might be leaking slightly or if its made of wood and has swelled or expanded the tube would have a very fine leak around the tube. Also check your spring tension.
Try playing it while putting extra pressure somehow on the key to make it close harder to see if thats the problem. Possibly put an old reed under key to close the key harder.
Also could be another pad nearby is leaking.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Robyn
Date: 2005-07-02 21:43
Or, since the notes that require the register key to be open are weird, maybe it's not opening far enough? See if the key has been bent or doesn't come very high off the hole.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2005-07-02 21:49
Check the opening of the register key. It should be open to about the thickness of a (US) nickel.
If the register key has a cork pad, beveling the pad to a truncated cone shape may help.
Check the opening of the throat A key - is that note also stuffy?
Using reeds which are too hard will add to the fuzziness of the throat tones...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sovek
Date: 2005-07-03 01:27
I have the exact same problem, on both of my clarinets. a Bundy and a B-12. both are used quite a bit, but its alot less noticable on a softer reed, try that.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2005-07-03 06:04
When a pipe cleaner is used to clean this hole, it often catches the lint on the end of the cleaner, pushes it into the bore, then jams it back in the vent when the pipe cleaner is withdrawn.
Blow down the tube to make sure it is clear, or better still, shine a light down the bore and look into the vent for a visual check.
Are you sure that the problem is not because you are a little 'rusty' and are playing with less breath pressure and reed support. This will make throat Bb more fuzzy.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-07-03 14:15
Also possibly the tube is leaking air (the outside of the tube) where it is in the Clarinet.
Beeswax on the outside of the tube seals the tube from leaking air around it.
I use that when I install the Galper register tubes
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LeeB
Date: 2005-07-03 19:56
Rather than use a pipe cleaner that can generate lint, perhaps one of those very small brushes they sell at the drugstore for cleaning between teeth might be better.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2005-07-04 03:32
Actually, the best cleaning tool for the register tube that I have found is a new, unused, mascara brush. It leaves no lint and the stiff bristles actually ensnare lint and flotsom and jetsom that obstructs register tubes. They are made of plastic so there are no sharp metal ends often found on "wound" brushes.
L. Omar Henderson
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-07-04 14:54
Yes, good advice, all. I often use the ?2mm? [diameter] brushes for cleaning cut-whiskers from Remington electric shavers, does a good, non-destructive job . Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
