 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: H Tolley
Date: 2002-12-04 15:03
I am new to the clarinet and have a question my teacher could not fully answer. In a few notes, most notably the first line E and the first space F, there is a noticable buzzing, hissing noise. It appears to be coming from the little hole in between the left hand first and second finger holes (the one that the ring key closes on lower notes). This same noise is made by both the Vitos I have and also my teacher's R13, when she plays. I realise that certain notes on the clarinet usually have a more challenging sound than others, but does this hiss / buzz exist on all clarinets with these notes? Is there a change that can be made to eliminate it?
It seems like it is caused by the higher velocity air going through the hole and hitting the pad. I was curious if a slightly chamfered hole would change the turbulance of the air or perhaps a pad with a more convex edges to allow the air to slip out without causing as much noise. Any help, ideas, or suggestions would be appreciated.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-12-04 17:15
First, check each pad in the upper joint to be certain that one does not have a loose or cracked skin.
You can also quickly check the seating of the pads with a small feeler gauge made out of a thin strip of cigarette paper. There should be equal gripping on all points around the circumference of each pad.
Also, check to see that the second ring and pad are sufficiently high enough to vent the F and E.
Additionally, you may wish to use a pipe cleaner to clean out the tone holes in the upper joint and the register key tube, just as a regular maintenance procedure.
Start with these simple tests to see if the hissing/buzzing problem can be tracked down...GBK
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Author: H Tolley
Date: 2002-12-04 20:18
Thank you for the advice. Both clarients have been cleaned and the pads themselves are in ok shape. The hissing noise only manifests itself when the pad is open and the air is venting through the hole. I'll have to measure the distance the pad comes up off the hole, but they both seem to be approximately the same as other normally open pads.
Am I correct in assuming the noise is not present in all (properly setup) clarinets?
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-12-05 09:28
If the pad is deeply seated, or the membrane is loose, it can vibrate with a hissing sound, which is more prominent, the less the pad opening.
In this case the hiss will come from the first pad that is open.
For diagnosis you could try removing the A/D key (left hand middle finger) and see if the E still hisses.
Or you could try slightly closing the open pad to see if it increases the hiss.
Insufficient venting is common with new instruments. If the E is hissing then it is quite likely that the (below-the-staff) C is not venting well enough either, and making a dull relatively fuzzy sound. BTW different pads have to vent different amounts, i.e. some are more fussy than others.
These problems are accentuated with an over-hard reed. In my experience they can be reduced by applying more pressure to the centre part of the reed, perhaps by pulling the sides of the lips down a little (or by lowering the clarinet or raising the head a little) or but I am no expert player!
On rare occasions I have found a buzz caused by a sliver of plastic remaining at the bottom of the (first open) tone hole and partially closing it, left over from the manufacturing process.
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Author: Rob Tite
Date: 2002-12-05 21:17
Your clarinet could have been set up that way so that the note in question would play closer in tune. Check with a tuner to see if the note, as it is is in tune or not. If it is in tune, you might prefer to leave it where it is. Depending, of course, if you prefer to play in tune or with a clear sound. If you do decide to change the position of the key, work on fingerings/voicings that will make the clarinet play in tune.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-12-07 11:04
The venting normally needs to be quite a lot less, with a LOT of fuzzy sound, before intonation is affected. Intonation is set more by tone hole diameter and location.
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Author: Robert
Date: 2002-12-07 13:33
Gordon wrote: "The venting normally needs to be quite a lot less, with a LOT of fuzzy sound, before intonation is affected. Intonation is set more by tone hole diameter and location."
I think that depends which hole and which pad. I've found that the A-flat/E-flat hole can be successfully flattened without any fuzziness in the sound.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-12-07 23:09
Yes, that one because the tone hole is displaced up the instrument and made smaller, in order to leave room for the tenon. That would make it more susceptible to the venting. I think that is the only displaced tone hole that is covered. On a clarinet with articulated G# it probably would not be the case, because the tone hole is large and not displaced.
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Author: Robert
Date: 2002-12-08 09:10
Gordon- I was talking about the A-flat/E-flat (G#/D#) hole, not the C#/G#.
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