 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-08-14 03:43
I have searched the archives on this topic, and have not seen any postings indicating this type of problem. I had this problem the first time last summer, and it happened again today. I was playing for a wedding (some of you may remember this event which I posted queries about a month or so ago) by the ocean. It was very hot, windy, and extremely damp.
In those conditions - heat, in particular - what happens is that my clarinet basically seems to "shut down". The longer I play, the worse it gets. Certain notes become hard to produce, like 3rd line B or top space G. Then, I'll have trouble getting notes in the lower register. Not always - just sometimes. The piece de resistance was an awful squeak at a really bad time, due, I believe, to a pad not seating.
Last summer, I had my horn back to the tech several times, and he tweaked the crows' foot mechanism, put all gore-tex pads on the lower joint and replaced the pad on the register key. I also changed my mouthpiece, which seemed to help keep the reed from "collapsing".
So the conditions were right again today, or the planets aligned just so, and my clarinet basically stopped working. Good thing I brought a spare.
Have any of you experienced this sort of failure in weather like this? Is there anything that can be done to prevent it, or is it likely to be a bizarre quirk of this horn? No cracks can be detected, although both the tech and I have been suspicious that there is one which opens up under the heat and humid conditions.
Thanks-
Sue Tansey
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Author: jangjiman
Date: 2005-08-14 07:17
I use legere plastic reeds. The sound quality does fall a bit but it still sounds good and plays in those conditions. That'sone way to help.
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-08-14 15:30
Sue,
Re: "both the tech and I have been suspicious that there is one (a crack) which opens up under the heat and humid conditions"... my technician has a humidifier which he uses in these situations. Perhaps your tech could do something similar to diagnose the problem.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-08-14 16:37
Is it possible that the longer you play, the more your embouchure and attention to "technique" shut down? That could explain why notes don't speak. I've noticed the same problems myself with extended play in uncomfortable conditions.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-08-14 17:36
No - it's her Clarinet (hence the spare worked!!) that's the problem.
Get a plastic clarinet for playing like that - (forte, etc) it won't change like that.
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-08-14 21:21
I have you folks on the board to thank for that little voice in my head that said, "Bring another horn, just in case". There was a thread a while ago about what to do in case of a disaster. So I was in good shape.
One thing is for sure - that clarinet is not suitable for playing in the heat. I just wish I knew why.
Sue Tansey
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2005-08-15 08:10
Maybe it are just the pads that aren't closing properly? I've had the same trouble in the past, but after installing straubinger pads all the problems where history.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-08-16 02:45
Sue --
Organic material. Plain and simple. The heat and humidity causes the poor thing to swell and distort in ways that go beyond the tight tolerances to which it is designed. Think about what a wood floor would do in that environment. You simply can't do that to a wood instrument and expect it to perform well if at all. David is correct, use plastic in those situations. I purchased a Greenline instrument for just those situations. That it is an exceptional instrument in its own right is a separate discussion -- suffice it to say the synthetic nature of the horn makes it quite functional in the great out-of-doors.
M.
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-08-16 13:05
Msloss, that does make sense.
It gets worse. My other, actually preferred, clarinet was at the shop having a few adjustments. I called about it yesterday, as the one I used in the clutch at the wedding is not a good horn.
So, my clarinet apparently has been ready for weeks (gee whiz, good service) and has been in the back of the tech's car!!!!!! I was speechless. Can you take somebody to court for cooking your clarinet?
This is not some fly-by-night operation, either, this is a quite reputable dealer and shop in this area.
Greenline is looking better and better.
Sue Tansey
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-08-16 13:21
"Can you take somebody to court for cooking your clarinet? "
---------------------------------------------------------
Can you sue somebody for negligence which caused property damage?
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-08-17 02:27
Doesn't sound like the reputation is well earned if they do that. Forget cooking the instrument -- there's the risk of it being stolen. Crikey.
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-08-17 12:56
I know. This is a major source of quality instrument and repairs in the Boston area; I'm sure if I mentioned the name it would be familiar to many of you. I deal with them as a source of my band instrument rentals, and it's this rep who had the instrument all this time. We've given them a great deal of business, and have, over time, worked out what I thought was a good working relationship. He is a musician himself.
I don't think there is any possibility that the instrument could be unaffected by this treatment.
I may have two instruments being sent out to NYC.
Sue Tansey
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-08-17 14:52
If you're going to be playing on a regular basis under such circumstances, you should seriously consider purchasing a greenline instrument such as the Buffet R-13 greenline. I bought one for just such situations and they are really wonderful--the quality and sound of the wood R-13 without the worry about cracks and warps, etc.
Agreed, this would be an expensive "fix" for the problem--but those of us who play outdoors, or in otherwise unstable atmospheric conditions need a good outdoor clarinet.
Another suggestion is Dr. Henderson's Forte clarinet. I also have one of those and they're quite nice for such situations.
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-08-17 15:20
The Greenline seems to be the suggestion of choice, thanks. It is out of my budget right now, but it looks as though the outdoor performing will be increasing for me, so I should probably consider one at some point.
Thanks, everybody.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-08-17 15:35
Sue, try the Forte Clarinet.
They play really well. Are they as good an a Greenline?
Nope - but they to me are the best synthetic clarinet out there for the price by far.
Are they probably great for any outdoor performance?
yup - unless you are playing with a major symphony you would most likely be fine. Remember, outdoors is pretty bad in the first place unless under ideal conditions and acoustics.
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-08-17 15:57
I'll check into the Forte, too.
It's interesting, I was thinking of the many threads of the past in which we've discussed mouthpieces, ligatures, reeds, at infinitum. The spare I brought with me to the wedding I was playing was my daughter's (awful) Selmer student model, I think it's a 1400.
While the intonation is awful and the keying is awkward, I was able to adjust after awhile and everything was fine. As we've also discussed in the past, we make adjustments to compensate for different horns to get the sound we want.
Anything is better than what happened to my other one.
Thank goodnes for having a spare. I'll never go to a performance without one.
It got worse, too, the flute player's stand broke and she had to hold the upright portion of it tightly between her knees in a gale force wind, trying not to let her book of music fall to into the ocean. This really was a day to remember. Spare stands, too, maybe? Spare music? Spare players? Definitely many clothespins.
Sue Tansey
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-08-17 20:37
Click onto Dr. Henderson's website (he's a sponsor) for the Forte clarinet. Then send him an email and tell him you're needing one for semi-pro reasons. He'll probably give you a bit of a discount and he'll select one for you. I have one and really like it--it's not as good as the greenline--but has very nice key action and a pleasing tone and excellent intonation. It would serve the purpose for your immediate needs and you could sell it later on if you wanted to do so.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-08-17 20:44
Remember that Plastic Clarinet's don't vary like Wooden ones do as it's a lot easier to make to specs.
Same for mouthpieces, but who wants a plastic mouthpiece....... (great for beginners though)
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