 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roys_toys
Date: 2011-09-27 21:53
I have started to have an intermittent problem with throat A/Ab taking time to speak, or sometimes not speaking at all. This happens unexpectedly, so its difficult to be exactly precise or replicate. But I think the below is accurate :
1/ it happens when I descend from full tube clarion, going from C /C#/B ( sometimes D) to A/Ab without passing through Bb.
2/I fail most often when I do a quaver sequence right Eb, left C, A,C,A
3/ it occurs slurring or tonguing
4/ I havnt had the problem descending via Bb throat
5/ This happens on R13. My plastic clarinet hasn't ( yet !) played up.
I would be grateful if you could point me towards isolating whats most likely for remedy:
Air : should I be doing something special when dropping from full tube clarion to open tube?
Embouchure/tongue position : ditto
Fingers : I usually leave right fingers down for the A, but I can get no speaks with or without right fingers in place.
Reeds : I get the problem using 2.5/3/ 3.5. But I do use them straight from the box.
Thanks in advance
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2011-09-27 22:37
Check for water / condensation forming between the pad and tone holes.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-09-27 22:52
Think hardware problem. More likely than not, the fishskin over the felt on the A or Ab key has come loose and is sticking down into the hole.
Particularly because your plastic clarinet plays fine.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-09-27 23:32
If the throat G# and A pads appear to be fine and you're able and confident enough to take the keys off, remove them and check the toneholes aren't blocked with grease and fibres which can build up in them - particularly if you use your pullthrough to dry out the sockets with after playing.
Not so long ago I tried a Leblanc Esprit which didn't respond well in the throat notes - they were very resistant and stuffy in comparison to my Leblanc LL. Only when I took the throat G# and A keys off I could see the problem was due to the toneholes being occluded with a mixture of grease and fibres from the pullthrough as the owner used the pullthrough to dry the sockets with, so it in turn gets covered in cork grease which built up on the insides of the toneholes where they meet the bore. Cleaning it out freed up these notes.
Use a cotton bud dipped lightly in methylated spirits to clean out the toneholes - don't use anything metal, sharp or abrasive as that could enlarge or seriously damage the toneholes.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-09-28 15:08
Chris -
Methylated spirits -- as in wood (methyl) alcohol? It's a nasty poison.
Will ethyl alcohol (vodka, Everclear) work just as well?
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-09-28 15:35
Methylated spirits (or meths) is what you call denatured or rubbing alcohol in the US - it's usually dyed purple and used in French polishing among other things.
Definitely not poisonous (as much as alcohol can be poisonous), but it does have some vomit inducing additive to prevent people ingesting it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Roys_toys
Date: 2011-09-29 18:26
Thanks for your suggestions. I'm pleased/surprised to think it may not be me as prime suspect ! ( was thinking that I will have to get to grips with the impenetrable stuff on Support )
CX : yes could well be. I have noticed occasional big bubble coming out of A hole. I didnt think this could do a no speak ( in view of all other open holes), thought it would just give a poor quality note.
Ken/Chris : There isnt anything showing in situ. on A or Ab. I will take it in to repair man to check out after removing.
again thanks
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