 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2011-05-24 01:16
At least that's the way it sounds to my ears. Just lately I have been experiencing some overtones up about F# at the top of the staff and on up into the higher clarion register. It's not too bad I suppose, but I do not remember it happening before very recently.
It's really hard to describe the sound, but I can definitely hear some sort of high-pitched vibration going on...may not be an "overtone" at all, but I don't care for it whatever it is.
Could it be I need to clean out the vent tube (I never have, but I understand it's not difficult to remove that key and clean the tube)?
Or, do you think it's something else? I tried two different mp's, and it happens with both.
I also tried it with different reeds with the same results.
CarlT
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2011-05-24 01:32
Could be something with the instrument. Could also be that you've just recently become more aware of some of the instrument's overtones. The former, you can fix. The latter, you will have to live with and, I suggest, enjoy.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-05-24 02:06
If it's like a buzzing noise, it's most likely either a key vibrating - maybe because a spring isn't tensioned enough - or a torn ("singing") pad skin over one of the open tone holes (or the register key pad, if you have a regular skin pad there). Check and make sure there aren't any little pieces of skin hanging off any pads. If this is happening with the clarion notes you can play with just your left hand, try lightly touching each key in the vicinity with your right hand and see if one of them stops vibrating when you touch it.
If it isn't a buzz, then you'd need to try to describe it more.
Karl
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2011-05-24 02:16
I'm with Karl on this one -- that would be my guess!
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-05-24 13:34
Can anyone else hear the overtone? Is it like a multiphonic?
To clean the register vent without removing it, take off the register key and use a moistened pipe cleaner. Many pipe cleaners have a wire running down the center, so be careful not to let it contact the inside of the vent. When you're done, blow hard through the vent to get rid of any lint.
While you're at it, check how far the register key opens. You should just be able to slide a nickel between the vent and the pad or cork. If it's a pad, try replacing it with cork, and bevel the edges to give better venting.
Check the seating of the pads at the top of the upper joint and look for cracks or dings in the rims beneath the pads. Also check that the adjustment screw on the throat Ab key isn't too tight, which will produce a small leak.
Ken Shaw
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2011-05-24 14:52
As Karl suggested that it might be, it is very much like a buzzing sound, but I went through the list of ideas to try and alleviate it, but so far unsuccessful. I will try to get enough time tonight to clean the vent tube to see if that helps.
I did notice this morning that it wasn't as bad as yesterday; however, once it gets more moisture built up, I believe it will worsen, for I didn't really notice it yesterday until I got it warmed up well.
I will pursue.
CarlT
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-05-24 15:37
If it gets noticeably worse as you warm up, it suggests even more strongly a torn pad, which absorbs moisture and swells a little as you play. The edges of the torn skin may be vibrating and become more exposed as the pad swells up. Still only a guess.
The good thing about a torn pad is that it's easy and inexpensive to replace the pad - once you find it. The bad thing is you may need to take each key off and look at each entire pad - a tear in the skin may not be visible from the side when you look at the pads on the instrument.
Karl
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Author: Buster
Date: 2011-05-24 17:12
re. pads: If this is the cause, I won't repeat what previous posts said, as they are clear as to the path to follow. I can say I have experienced this when a factory pad had the "skin" loosen and start flapping in the breeze. A buzzing key may be the cause; replacing the spring and possibly swedging the key would be the remedy. I have never encountered an audibly vibrating key on a clarinet, as opposed to flute or saxophone where it can be a common issue, but that doesn't mean it is not the problem solely because I personally have never encountered it.
Your "warm-up" period exacerbating the sound may show it is a pad. However, it may be that when your horn is "warm" you yourself are "warm", set physically, and have changed your address (I hesitate greatly to say improved as I know not you nor would presume to know your playing) and are achieving more "ring" in your sound. (to expand on this, which EEBaum also proposed) If that is the case, then I would say this may be a good thing as it could be exploited for more projection when needed, and vice versa. Or perhaps your ears are just suddenly aware of this, our minds work in strange ways. Maybe record yourself at an appreciable distance and perhaps your perceptions may change, if this is the case. I may be way off the path here...... Just a thought to try before tearing all the keys off your horn!!
Whatever the issue best of luck-JH
Post Edited (2011-05-24 18:20)
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Author: William
Date: 2011-05-24 17:15
I've had unwanted subtones--for some reason, usually sounding on B5--caused by a loose screw on the top of my long B/E key. Not a definable buzz, but rather like you describe, a subtil overtone effect within the tone quality of the note. Strange and irritating, but easily fixed with a screwdriver. But like other posters have suggested, it could be a bad pad or spring out of adjustment. It could also be a loose ring--bell or tendon--and that would require a trip to your favorite repair tech.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2011-05-24 18:45
Another source of audible buzz: Look down on the left-hand side keys (pinkie keys) where the levers for the C# and for B-natural (both mid-staff) are in two parts, jointed. That joint consists of a pin that inserts into a socket. On many models of clarinet, there's a tiny scrap of fishskin (the same thing that's the outer skin on the pads) poked into that hole to keep the mechanism quiet. You'd never know the fishskin is there unless it gets dislodged, which it often does over time.
Try working those key levers without playing. If you can hear a clicking noise, then the odds are excellent that the pin buzzes against the inside of the socket on certain frequencies of notes -- and usually not the notes those keys play. A technician can replace the fishskin easily and cheaply.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Buster
Date: 2011-05-24 21:46
To second Ms. Loban,
I actually didn't even consider that. Again, I haven't experienced this audibly, but have definitely had to deal with slack in the 2 keys she mentioned. I'd think this Would be a quite loud vibration, if the source, as there is a great deal of space between the male/female ends of the keys; also as those keys are free to "bounce" around unless your pinky is resting on them, it may be the first place to address. Should that be the source, I have used cigarette paper, everyday run of the mill paper, Scotch-tape, and even seen someone use Bay's Lip-Ease to remove the "play" between keys. (I would not personally recommend the Lip-Ease as as it breaks down and gums up the mechanism; nor Scotch-tape as the adhesive is not a great idea.) These are temporary fixes for sure, but if you can't get to a technician immediately will work.
again, suerte- JH
Post Edited (2011-05-24 21:53)
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