 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: none
Date: 2013-03-03 17:11
I failed to find an answer on the Board's previous posts to what should be this likely common issue:
why would the upper-register B note be fuzzy, while the lower-register E be clear? How does depressing the throat A and register keys cause a problem that doesn't otherwise exist?
Gary
janeandgary@rogers.com
Post Edited (2013-03-04 22:57)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-03-03 23:19
Why are you depressing the throat A key to play B?
Karl
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Author: TJTG
Date: 2013-03-04 00:36
Depressing the A key is a good way to bring the B down.
As far as a fuzzy B the problem can occur because the register key doesn't vent quite enough. You can fix the problem if there is a cork pad by taking off the key, and with sandpaper, tapering the edge so it is nicely beveled. Be sure not to sand the portion of the pad where you see the depression from the key-hole.
Here is a picture of a well beveled register key: http://www.clarinetperfection.com/galleryclar/Keywork/CP2/25.jpg
You can also make the register key open more wore by sanding the cork on the non-pad end.
Make sure you're careful and conscious of what your doing. don't go too far because you might throw the tuning flat in the upper register.
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2013-03-04 01:09
Are you talking about the E below the staff with the B on the staff or the or the E on the first line of the staff and the B above the staff?
The only thing that makes sense to me from your question is the former situation. If you are playing the E below the staff and going to the B on the staff only by adding the register key, there should be no problem if the register key is properly vented. However, if you are fingering the B on the staff with the throat A key and top two trill keys, it could be that one or both of your trill keys are not adequately vented.
A throat Bb can be fuzzy with the A key and register key if the register key is not adequately vented. Try listening to that fingering against a Bb using the throat A and the third trill key to see if they are equally clear.
A fuzzy tone often indicates that a pad is not opening far enough. It could also indicate a tiny leak. A pad that opens too far often causes a tone to go sharp. When a pad is (or more than one pad are) replaced, the instrument needs to be regulated to account for these changes. Attention to this sort of detail can make the difference between a so-so repair and a good repair.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-03-04 01:59
Before you start sanding the register key pad or doing anything else that can't be easily reversed, try taking the register key completely off (you need a small jeweler's type of screw driver) and see it the fuzziness in the B (we're all assuming you mean B4 - middle line of the staff) has cleared up. If removing the register key doesn't fix the problem, you need to look elsewhere.
A fuzzy B can result from a bell with an internal design that doesn't work well with the rest of the clarinet. You might not hear it so much, if at all, on low E(3).It could also be a problem with the bore shape at the bottom of the lower section, but those problems are unusual and would need to addressed by a skilled tech.
Could also be one of the pads at the bottom of the lower section not covering, although that should affect E as well.
I asked originally why you were opening the A key because it sounded from your post as though you thought that was the "normal" fingering. It isn't, of course. Opening the A key can solve some problems in specific contexts, but it isn't part of the standard B fingering.
Karl
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Author: EBC
Date: 2013-03-04 17:17
To the OP: another avenue to investigate may be the accumulation of moisture and/or dirt in the register key. I find with my Tosca A in particular that water gets trapped in the extra-long "raised" register tube. (Incidentally, I'm not sure whether this is a consequence of the grain on the inside of the bore, or of the register tube itself) As for dirt, you'd be surprised what gets stuck in there... I give it a good cleaning every month or two, and it tends to improve the tone quality of the "long" clarion notes as well as some of the notes in the altissimo and the throat b-flat.
Eric
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Author: none
Date: 2013-03-04 23:01
Thank you the responses. The cleaning did the trick!
Gary
janeandgary@rogers.com
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2013-03-08 14:36
Smoke pipe cleaners are useful for this task.
richard smith
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