 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: atl4413
Date: 2004-02-22 03:14
I'm confused - and know that I must be doing something wrong. Inasmuch as I've never had this problem before, I thought I'd post it. Someone out there can answer I am sure....
During practice today, I placed my fingers on the right holes/keys and blew. I thought I would hear E3; instead I heard C#5.....
What's that about?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-02-22 03:51
Maybe there's a leak that's allowing the air to escape and play the overtone? Did any other clarinet player try it and get the same result?
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: atl4413
Date: 2004-02-22 18:01
No, just me. I checked to make sure the octave key wasn't sticking open, but it's not.
It's a new clarinet - perhaps it needs to be tweaked?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-02-22 18:57
Yes, it definitly does need being tweaked, it should be the responsibility of the store [etc] you bought it from. If a pad either on the register [octave] key, the A or G# keys, or the higher-up trill keys, is torn or just not seating properly, it will cause "register jump" . Ask an experienced player. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2004-02-22 20:02
It seems I can do the same thing if I'm applying too much pressure to the reed. In otherwords, I think I can get the upper register sound by applying too much pressure without the octave key.
Plus, maybe it's that you're not used to the new Ridenour mpc? Is your reed properly balanced?
I know when I got my Eddie Daniels' mpc it was helpful to use the ATG to fix up some new reeds for that mpc. I must say that I really like this mpc!
Suggestions, questions, few answers -- that's me 
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2004-02-22 20:05
It seems I can do the same thing if I'm applying too much pressure to the reed. In otherwords, I think I can get the upper register sound by applying too much pressure without the octave key.
Plus, maybe it's that you're not used to the new Ridenour mpc? Is your reed properly balanced?
I know when I got my Eddie Daniels' mpc it was helpful to use the ATG to fix up some new reeds for that mpc. I must say that I really like this mpc!
Suggestions, questions, few answers -- that's me
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-02-22 22:49
You could also maybe be taking too much mouthpiece in. Perhaps this MPC doesn't need to be in your mouth as far as the other (meaning that your bottom lip might be too far 'down' on the reed? . . .)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-02-23 05:50
Curious. C#5 is not a natural overtone of E3. So I can't imagine how, given that some problem exists, you didn't produce B4.
Try to play slurred notes down to E3 from C4. If it can't be done no matter what your embouchure, there's almost certainly a leak.
Look first to see if the throat A key is closing all the way. If not, the screw on that key (just above the A key) is likely in a bit too far. If that's okay, examine the throat G# and upper right side ("trill") keys to ensure they are closing. Maybe try playing repetitions of the E3 while someone else gently presses these pads downward. It could be a leak lower down, but these are the usual suspects.
Regards,
John
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-02-23 14:29
atl4413 -
It's 99-44/100% sure to be a leak, but it doesn't have to be the register key pad. Other possibilities are:
- a badly warped reed, leaking around the bottom
- a leak through the joint at the top or bottom of the barrel
- a leak around the register vent
- a leak in another pad - check the two top trill keys and teh A and Ab keys
- a crack through the barrel or the top of the upper joint
This last one happened to me. I got a boxwood barrel that had a knothole, and a tiny leak through it threw everything into the upper register. A drop of Krazy Glue fixed it.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-02-23 15:26
Aside from the suggestions above regarding cracks and or mouthpiece/reed problems, there are 6 different keys (when slightly opened) that will permit the overtone B4 to sound instead of the E3.
1. the register key
2. the throat A key
3. the throat G# key
4. upper right side key #1
5. upper right side key #2
6. upper right side key #3
To test: Use only the upper joint (with no mouthpiece), finger a C4 and close the lower end so that it is air tight. Blow air into the upper joint and see if you can hear a leak coming from one of the above keys. If you have a friend with you, he can press each one to help find the leak.
It could be as simple as a pad which is not seating or a key which does not have enough spring tension to keep it closed.
This is not a big problem to fix, but one that must be taken care of immediately ...GBK
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-02-23 19:31
Quote:
If you have a friend with you, he can press each one to help find the leak. Or if you're limber enough, lean over place the lower part of the joint on your thigh and then you have your right hand free to press down each pad individually!
Although you may want to try this method in the privacy of a locked room . . .
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2004-02-23 20:06
To check the upper joint for leaks without an assistant, get yourself a small cork stopper to place in the lower end. The local hardware stores carry various sizes and they only cost about 25 cents or so. Use some cork grease on the cork. Then you will a hand free to press on the various keys. Good luck!
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Author: atl4413
Date: 2004-02-24 00:38
Thanks for all of the suggestions. Yes, JMcAulay is correct - B4 is exactly right. When I was posting this, I think I drank more Beaujolais than ended up in the Beef Bourguignon.
I have abused my poor husband trying to figure this out. He now probably knows more about the clarinet than he ever wanted to. None of the pads appear to be leaking, and for that I am thankful. I do not know of any trustworthy, reputable technicians here in Atlanta, although I am sure that there are several. By the way, does anyone know of one?
I changed out the mouthpieces (was using a Zimmer) and reeds also. This didn't appear to change anything. Tightening the ligature did help.
The only reeds that I have are those that TR included with the clarinet, and all stores are closed right now, so perhaps I need a stiffer reed.
Relaxing my embouchure also seemed to help. But what helped the most was getting the clarinet really warmed up. After about 30 minutes, I no longer had this problem. I've deduced that the problem is most likely me and not the clarinet.
When it first happened, I found myself so absorbed with it that I didn't think that perhaps it just wasn't warmed up enough. I've never had this happen before.
Could it be so simple? Or, maybe I've still missed something. But, like I said, after about 30-45 minutes, it no longer appeared to be an issue.
Thanks again for all of the suggestions. This underscores the fact that I really need to donate to this website to keep it going. Having access to it has really been a great help.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-02-24 20:40
"any trustworthy, reputable technicians" Is that what they call an Oxy-Moron?
![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-02-25 14:52
But atl4413, have you tried the leak diagnosis suggestions yet?
I agree with Ken, this is 99.44% chance that the problem is a leak. The next step is diagnosis as suggested.
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