 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sue G
Date: 2003-03-12 11:45
Hi,
It's me again I'm afraid.
I was just wondering if anyone can advise me .............
I've just got a great new setup for my Buffet B 12 - a student Richard Hawkins mouthpiece with an inverted Bonade ligature and I'm using V12 reed (2.5) - what a difference !!!!
It's a really rich tone and I'm not struggling with the 2.5 V12 reed as I was before either !
The only problem is that my clarinet is "squeaking" a lot now - something I've not really experienced before and I'm wondering why.
It's happeneing particularly in the higher registry but not exclusively !!
I'm wondering ........ am I tightening the ligature too much ? Is the reed/ligature in the right place ? or am I placing my bottom lip too far down the reed or just trying too hard ????
It's happening without warning - during a piece so I'm thinking that it's likely to be more to do with the way I'm holding my mouth (!!!) and / or the clarinet rather than the setup as such ie where the reed and ligature are.
I often get a somewhat "watery" A at times too - but I got that before !!!
Any thoughts you may have would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
sue
:)
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-03-12 12:27
Sue,
Figuring your problem out would probably be like trying to get persistent headaches diagnosed over the web. It could be any number of things, but if you weren't squeaking before changing setups, you can probably deduce the problem started there.
I would suggest two activities. First, Go back to your original setup and change one thing at a time (reed, lig, mouthpiece). You may well find that any one of those changes is the source of your challenge. Second, if you aren't already, try taking some private instruction. A competent teacher will be able to help you out a lot more effectively than reading all the pontificating you will find on the internet. My teachers were always able to root out problems a lot more quickly than I could ever solve them on my own. Very worthwhile just to bring down the frustration factor.
Good luck with it!
Mark
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-03-12 14:06
Sue - I didn't qualify to respond to your earlier thread [very interesting!], I'm 83+, having only stopped playing during a few of the WW 2 years. Re: squeeking, yes, a variety of causes. It sounds more likely to me that you may have a slightly-leaky pad OR you may be "accidentally" touching-opening a key like the G#, one of the Eb/Bb alternates, or a finger tip slightly off a tone hole, ring finger rt hand possibly, which may be related to your thumbrest being too low. As said above, a setup problem is possible, I have found that some mps and/or reeds just seem to squeek easier than others. I hope you have access to a good CL repairer or teacher, just hand them the cl, they will prob. find it!! Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-03-12 20:33
Hi, Sue...
Long distance diagnosis is hazardous at best but my 'guess' about your squeaks is the same as Don's (except that he has a few more years experience than I) -- you may not be completely covering the open holes when you should or inadvertently touching a key, when you shouldn't, just enough to cause a tiny leak. All beginners have this problem at some point or another until they get the feel of fingering the keys correctly down pat.
Your mpc/reed setup seems fine but, if it also involves your embouchure, that's much more likely to happen as you tire. Try taking frequent breaks during practice sessions just to see if it helps. Then you can increase the time between breaks until you can play non-stop for hours on end... uh, yeah, right 
And, please, keep posting. We all learn from one another and I, for one, appreciate your taking time out to do so.
(pssst, don't tell too many people... but we're actually a pretty friendly bunch).
- ron b -
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Author: Ed
Date: 2003-03-13 00:25
Your reeds may have warped. Try using some fine sandpaper or a bastard file and flatten the back.
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Author: JamesE
Date: 2003-03-13 03:22
Sue,
I also agree with Don. When I started playing a year or so ago I found that bringing my elbows to close to my body (unfortunately not a difficult problem) would tend to rotate my fingers on the instrument. This resulted in partially covered holes, and nicking one of the upper lever keys by mistake. Had to constantly watch my hand position until I got back into the swing of things.
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Author: Sue G
Date: 2003-03-13 07:23
Thanks very much to all of you for your helpful advice - unfortunately it's not practical for me to have lessons at the moment and I don't know anyone else locally who plays the clarinet to ask but I'm sure with your suggestions I'll be able to work it out.
I've just looked carefully at my clarinet again since reading your posts and have realised that I have actually lost a pad - not sure if this particular one would make the difference or not - forgive the lack of technical terms here - it's the pad at the top of the lower joint which connects with the upper joint.
could it be this do you think ???
I wondered if this pad was just to prevent the keys making a noise when pressed but maybe I'm wrong and this is the culprit - I hope so cos it'll be much easier to solve than some of the other reasons 'eh ? !!!
I do find the board a great help and very interesting to read.
Keep up the postings eveyone and thanks again !!
Sue
:)
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-03-13 10:32
A very common leak is sourced at the throat A spring. If it is 0.5 mm too short, or poorly shaped, or touching the key too far beyond its screw, or digging into the timber/'plate', or pushing against a minute ridge in the timber, or needs lubrication and has none, or appropriate lubrication has gone hard and sticky, or ......
.... it has too much friction and fails to close the pad reliably. Some of these conditions are common even on new instruments. This particular spring is a very critical part whose reliable operation on most instruments is quite precarious.
Yes, there are many causes of squeaks; a good variety above for you to work on.
The most squeaky-type leaks are usually in the upper section. To test: Block the lower end of the upper section, close the holes with normal fingering, and blow really hard into the other end. You should hear no air leaking.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-03-13 13:59
Fine pro advice, G [NZ], hunting problems is educational! Sue G, sounds like you have lost a ?cork? "pad" off the bridge key, OR the Bb/F nat [actual] pad , either of which may cause problems. Need repair! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-03-13 17:19
One aspect of playing the instrument which causes squeeking is the motion or movement of the instrument when you are playing.
A very slight movement of the mouthpiece sideways as a result of heavy fingers can be a common source of this problem...I would also advise mirror practice just to see what is going on in a given passage...this can be very informative.
While playing the clarinet the instrument responds to any motion we make however subtle....as for the other aspect of biting-- this is much harder thing to cure. Any sudden changes in the air column can lead to an unwanted squawk....this is where a good teacher or ever a fine colleague could come in hand....
Sincerely
David Dow
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Author: monique
Date: 2003-04-14 04:44
thanks David,
I suspected that the squeaks I experience at times when I get too carried away by the music, were caused by instinctive motion, I surprise myself "dancing" when playing some pieces.
I don't want to start on Sue's thread again but I wanted to say that I am a happy new player of 65 in a community band and proud to be in "the Dorkestra"b
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Author: Avie
Date: 2003-04-14 13:53
Ive also been getting a squeak every now and then. I use a #4. The thought that it could happen at any time takes away my concentration and prevents me from relaxing. I think that the reed I was using for a long time had become too flimsy. Its difficult to throw out because it had such good response. I probably shaved a bit too much off the reed. When I use a differant reed I dont get the squeak. I still miss my old reed.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-04-14 14:36
I shudder at the thot of playing on a #4 reed. On a Bb sop, I do go to a medium ?3? [on a med-open mp] when my chops strengthen from bass playing. On bass I have found 1 1/2 tenor sax reeds [back-polished!] best for my open glass mp, I had squeeks on a VD #2, abandoned it! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Sue G
Date: 2003-04-22 22:00
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all your replies.
I've discovered the reason for my squekas - many of you were absolutely right - I was accidentally catching a key with a stray finger !
All sorted now thanks.
I've also discovered why my A's suddenly sound watery .......... it was because they are !!! ie too much saliva in my clarinet it appears !!!
When it happens - which it always does after I've been playing for about 15 /20 mins or so, I have to dismantle my clarinet , dry it out, re-assemble then off I go again for another 15 mins !!!!
Anyone have any tips on how I could prevent this from happening so often please ???? I'm loosing valuable practice time !!!
Thanks
Sue
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Author: Avie
Date: 2003-04-23 00:01
I still get water in the A , c#, and D# key holes and pads. When I hear a bubbly sound or something doesnt sound right I check these 3 places and dry them out with a tissue and blow into the holes and then swab out the bore. I am getting less saliva buildup with practice but in time it has become faster knowing just where the problem areas may be. I have read that these 3 areas are where the water usually collects in most clarinets because of the locations. I hope my past problems with this helps you. Its probably worth checking it out. In time getting familiar with your instrument will make your playing more satisfying. I have read "The Art of Clarinet playing" by Keith Stein a couple of times and its a great reference book for problems of this type. Happy tooting.
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