 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Amy
Date: 2002-01-31 00:23
I've been having problems lately with the alternate (left-hand side key) fingering for the 3rd space C. It's never been a very responsive note, but now it seems worse than ever. I hardly ever get it out in 16th note passages and have about a 50% success rate with sustained playing of it. I've tried using more air, but that doesn't seem to be helping. Any suggestions as to what I can do about this?
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Author: Amanda
Date: 2002-01-31 01:48
I had a problem with that once, and at the time I was taking lessons and asked my teacher. We guessed that that key was kind of loose because you can jiggle it somewhat, and it was getting stuck on the key next to it...so when it does work for me (it's getting better) I have to make sure it's further from the other key when I start playing, and that I hit it down hard...I'm sure I was a fluke so I doubt this helps, but maybe =)
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Author: MsRoboto
Date: 2002-01-31 01:48
Maybe you should have the clarinet looked at. The left key manipulates the same pad as the right hand just a different mechanism. If it speaks vastly differently maybe you have a spring problem or something on that side.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-01-31 01:53
By "looked at" the above post means to take it to a repairperson at a music store and have it checked for leaks and bent key actions. Also, have the repair facility person check the bridge key mechanism--the one that goes between the two large joints. It may be holding the r-h finger rings too high for you to adequately cover the tone holes.. That third space C should be rather easy for you to play if your instrument is functioning properly. Good Clarineting!!!!!!!!!
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Author: chuck
Date: 2002-01-31 02:12
Very definitely go to a repair person. Bet you a half dozen used reeds that it is in the crow's foot, and an adjustment is needed. Chuck
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-01-31 04:28
I agree with the others who have suggested you take the instrument to a professional repair tech. If the right-hand C plays fine and the left-hand C is the only problem, however, the odds that it is the crow's foot or the bridge mechanism or a leaky pad are very small. Neither the crow's foot or the bridge mechanism has much to do with the left-hand C key. The way the left-hand C works is easy to see but hard to describe (at least for me). If you look closely, you can see that the left-hand C has a small "lever" (the best term I can come up with at the moment) near the point where the key meets its bottom post. Pressing the left-hand C key raises this lever which, in turn, raises a "lever" attached to the right-hand C key. This action, in turn causes the pad on the right hand key to close (in theory, the same as if you had pressed the right hand key). If the right-hand key is working fine, the pad is sealing and the problem is probably not a bad pad. If only the left-hand key isn't working, its lever is probably not raising the lever on the right-hand key far enough to close the pad completely, resulting in a C that does not speak easily. There is a tiny cork between these levers (usually glued to the upper lever) that regulates, to some extent, the distance the key will travel. If this cork is worn (or more likely has fallen off), the pad may not close all the way. A bent left-hand C key could also cause the problem but my guess is that it's the cork. The repair shouldn't be very expensive and should lead to a BIG improvement.
If you want to learn a little about how your clarinet works, look at the two levers through a magnifying glass and see if there is any cork between them. Also, try this experiment. Holding the lower joint in your hand, press the left-hand C key down firmly but gently as far as it will go comfortably. Now press the right-hand key. If the right-hand key moves at all, the left-hand key isn't closing the pad.
BTW, Amanda, you should probably try this, too.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-01-31 12:06
If you get your instrument sorted but still find you have a problem, make sure that, when you put your L little finger on the key, you're not letting the rest of the L hand become displaced, especially the ring finger
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-01-31 13:41
I agree with the majority. Take it to a reputable repair tech.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-01-31 16:21
This can be the most notorious place on the clarinet for defects to crop up. In fact, ordinary wear of one tiny cork can cause the problem. The instrument should be checked by a *good* repair technician. While Jack Kissinger's suggestion of how to examine the instrument is right on, and if you're going to play the clarinet you certainly should be more familiar with how it works, this particular area is not one for the uninitiated to attempt adjustment -- if, indeed, adjustment is needed.
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Author: MsRoboto
Date: 2002-02-01 09:54
The piece that is under the F#//C# and E/B keys on the right hand side. The thing that brings down the upper keys when the lower keys are pressed.
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