 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: nerdypoo
Date: 2013-07-01 10:32
Hi all,
I regularly use all four different bflat fingerings, but I recently bought a new clarinet (Buffet RC Prestige) and I find that the 1 and 1 (as well as, to a lesser extent, the 1 and 2) fingering is extremely resistant and stuffy. There's nothing leaking, but I'm wondering if it could be the d/a tonehole affecting it? What do you guys think the cause could be?
Never had the problem on my old clarinet (Buffet R13) and I'd hate to lose this fingering from my repertoire! Advice appreciated!
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-07-01 12:24
How have you tested for leaks?
You wouldn't find the cause by testing the whole upper section - the problem wouldn't appear as long as you're pressing the LH2 ring (D4/A5) in the process. A quick test is to play B5 and manually press the pad under LH1 (the one that makes it a Bb) closed. If that works, the problem is with the bridge keys.
The pad under LH1 (E4/B5) must cover quite tightly when you use 1 + 1 for the fingering to work. The coverage is controlled by the bridge keys (not the RH2 ring), so the bridge key adjustment is critical. Try rotating the top section very slightly so the bridge keys are slightly misaligned and see if the note improves. If it doesn't, try rotating the other way. If rotating in either direction solves the problem (because the bottom bridge key is pushing the upper one a little higher and closing the pad tighter) you can either bend the upper bridge key slightly downward or put a very slightly thicker cork on it - or have a tech do it if you aren't comfortable doing this kind of thing yourself.
Karl
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-07-01 12:40
On some clarinets the long Bb can be resistant due to toneholes closed further down the instrument, particularly as RH1 is closed for this note and there are only two open toneholes in between them.
Try playing long Bb as xoo|oxo or xoo|xo/o or xoo|oox to see if this helps - I realise they may not always be practical, but do give them a go.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2013-07-01 13:34
I have had this problem on several clarinets and it usually has to do with the bridge key between the RH and LH joint. As an experiment, try turning that joint slightly from one side and then the other and see if that clears up the problem. If so, you can have the bridge key adjusted. To tell the truth, my Bb clarinet needs to have the middle joint pulled out just slightly to make this work and I just put up with it. It is fortunate that having that joint pulled a bit helps with intonation.
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2013-07-02 15:58
I believe many people who have played the clarinet long enough have experienced this problem with the 1/1 Bb.
The above advice is great. The bridge key might very well need adjusting, but you should be able to test for this by following the above advice.
CarlT
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-07-03 01:16
I only use the 1/1 for fast passages anyway, I never use it for a sustained note. The bridge keys must be perfectly matched to have it perform properly. If the cork between the two bridge keys is slightly to thick it will not cover properly, if it is too thin it will not cover propely, it really has to be perfect. I often have placed a thin piece of scotch tape in there when it was just a tiny bit too thin, that little bit would often make it perfect. Sometimes I had to put a piece of masking tape instead, slightly thicker.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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