 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SVClarinet09
Date: 2006-12-15 23:24
My backup Selmer Paris is what I'm playing right now while my other is in the shop. The low F seems to be real stuffy but the E isnt. Sometimes when I play, mainly soft music, the note will not come out. I checked for leaks and I'm not getting anything. Is the pad not seated correctly? Or is it something I just can't fix?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-12-15 23:38
The first thing I'd look at would be the "rise" [clearance gap] of the low E pad, which is where the note sounds from. The note's air pressure at that point is very low so any restriction might give a stuffy, and perhaps a sharp-pitched sound. I'd also look at the low F and F# pads to see if they were in good condition. Others, please help. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: SVClarinet09
Date: 2006-12-15 23:55
The pads are in excellent condition. The pads are about a year old or so and this clarinet is rarely used by me. I played it from February of this year to June, picked it up in a month around September and haven't used it until now. The clearance on the E pad is fine. I did notice though that this pads on this clarinet are thicker than my other one. Maybe that contributes to it? I've been noticing this because the lower joint rings are harder to press down and I came to the conclusion it's because the pads are real thick.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2006-12-16 05:56
Check the seating of the low F pad. If it's leaking, and you aren't pressing hard, perhaps the additional pressure when you put down the low E key is closing it tighter. Also check the seating on all the lowest 4 pads.
How's the third-space C above, as compared with third-line B and low F? If both the F and C are stuffy, there's something wrong -- maybe crud in the bottom hole, or an extra-thick pad on the low E key shading the hole. If the B and C are OK, it's a design compromise. A good C is more important than a good low F. As Anthony Gigliotti said, BTSOOI (Blow The S*** Out Of It).
Try rotating the bell in 30 degree increments, or pulling it out a millimeter or two. You can usually find a more resonant position.
Have you tried a different mouthpiece or barrel?
Do you have a Selmer A clarinet? Did the bells perhaps get switched?
Has anyone monkeyed with the bell? The bore at the top of the bell should be smaller than the bore at the bottom of the lower joint. This helps reflect vibration back up the bore. If that constriction has been removed, it could easily spoil the resonance on the low F. If a friend has the same model Selmer, try that bell.
Ken Shaw
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Author: SVClarinet09
Date: 2006-12-16 14:32
The seating on the Low F/E pads are good. I am experimenting with a key clamp though to make sure it works best.
Third space C is stuff too, and third line B is hard to come out sometimes, Low E isn't. I have the same model Selmer Paris and I don't have this issue, so I know it's not a design compromise.
I've tried different mouthpieces and I found out that with a more open mouthpiece, it's less resistant/stuffy.
If it is a leak, I checked and still can't find it. Should I just take it to the shop and have them tell me if it can be fixed or not?
[Edit]
I just tested for leaks again. The leak on the F pad is SO small that I couldn't feel the air coming out but I could hear it. When I pressed harder on the F cup the leak seemed to go away. Maybe this can get fixed with a key clamp?
Post Edited (2006-12-16 15:29)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-12-16 22:40
Key clamps won't be a long term success - the pad has to be seated correctly so you shouldn't have to press the key heavily as it should close under light pressure. Just pressing harder will compress the felt and it will recover when the clarinet is put back in it's case.
Sounds like the pads are too thick and the action hasn't been raised sufficiently to compensate for the thicker pads used.
How much venting is there at the front of the bottom pad - is it less than 3mm? It should be from around 3mm minimum to 3.5mm max, and the lower ring keys do need around 2.5mm to 3mm in order to prevent the low register C (and the E above that) from being stuffy.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-12-17 01:04
I echo Chris P's thots. Also check the pad and its seating [re: its operation by the rings and the bridge key ] which is at the top of the lower joint. It might be your problem. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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