 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-04-05 03:32
I'm posting this for my friend in the band that i'm playing in. He has a newer model r 13 which plays exactly like an r13 should, however there is ONE note that is terribly off. It's open G. Other professional musicians have tried to diagnose the problem with pad heights and so forth and even went into the clarinet repair shop twice! First for cork pads, and the second to fix pad heights.
so how does one fix the open G for the clarinet? obviously the repair technicians don't quite know as they ignored the problem. the note isn't 10 or 15 notes flat. it's playing the F super sharp which is how low it is.
my diagnoses is opening up the register vent or shortening the register vent on the inside. pad holes are a ok, and not an issue.
any suggestions? he really likes being in band, but he does get glances for that particular note in a bad way.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: Lori
Date: 2007-04-05 03:43
I know someone in a similar situation, and when I tested out his clarinet it turned out it was as simple as the thumb F-key ring getting stuck. The G was therefore extremely flat if he had put down anything on the left hand first. Probably too simple a solution, but worth a shot!
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-04-05 05:07
If he took it to a repair shop and the problem is still there then it's not a shop that he should ever return to. It is amaizing that so many repair places don't know what they are doing. In the case of auto repair, at least they usually know what they are doing (and intentionally break things so you come back).
Go to a different shop.
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-04-05 05:47
Well they understood the principle of upgrading pads to see if it might improve the sound, but they didn't examine the tone hole issue, which i suspect is the case.
"it turned out it was as simple as the thumb F-key ring getting stuck." Actually he was having that problem too, however i fixed it for him. I'll double check again and see if i can possibly bend the key a little higher. it might be that the height is just manufactured at the wrong angle. will update on his situation on tuesday when i see him.
"If he took it to a repair shop and the problem is still there then it's not a shop that he should ever return to." Agreed.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-04-05 06:09
They only changed the pad to try and help a super flat middle G?
another car example... customer- 'my A/C isn't cold enough.' mechanic- 'let's paint your car white and see if that helps.'
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-04-05 07:40
" there is ONE note that is terribly off. It's open G ...... my diagnoses is opening up the register vent or shortening the register vent on the inside"
Will changing anything about the register vent really matter for the open G (since it is closed)? I don't think the inside space that is taken by the vent, or its shape, has any significant effect on the G but...?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-05 10:07
If the open G is flat, then the throat G tonehole (the one under the throat A touchpiece, connected to the top ring) needs to be opened up to bring it up to pitch. Any experienced tech can do this, and it's best done with the player present so they can check the tuning with an electronic tuner.
As this tonehole is only used for throat G, it won't cause any grief in any other register as this tonehole is closed by the thumb ring and LH finger 1.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-04-06 05:29
Thanks chris! will let my friend know what needs to be done. appreciate the feedback. It's as if he's been outcasted because of that note which isn't his problem (he's an older fellow with a hearing aid but is a pretty good player.)
thanks again everyone
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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