 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: AmateurJen
Date: 2003-07-10 15:22
HELP!!!
I've got a concert next week as well as a summer musical pit band to play with and I can't get any sound out of my wood clarinet! I've looked it over and all the pads are still anchored, springs still bounce, and looks like everything is aligned right and sealed, and a new reed isn't doing the trick either. I suspect my problem may be in the upper joint because that is where most of my non-sound notes hit. Has this happened to anyone or can you give me ideas of what else to look for?
I'd hate to think that I've got a nasty crack in the wood somewhere. Just had this one completely overhauled about 2 years ago, including stripping off everything and a nice long oil bath. It's a Rene Lorien made in Italy who knows how long ago but I really love the sound of this one and wonder if it's worth taking into the repair shop again or if it maybe something I can do myself.
Thanks much in advance...
Jen
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-07-10 15:37
Cork the lower end of the top half, finger 3rd space C, and blow air into the upper end. Get an assistant, or use your other hand to press keys, to find where the air is hissing out.
Has a moth eaten a hole into a pad?
Or do you have something jammed inside the clarinet?
Edit: Sorry, that should have been under-the-staff C.
Post Edited (2003-07-11 05:06)
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Author: AmateurJen
Date: 2003-07-10 15:52
Thanks for the quick reply Gordon.
There's nothing jammed in there...the only air leakage I noticed is near the barrel, but couldn't tell if that was coming through the barrel connection or if it was from my embouchure.
The thing is that the sound lost is not predictable and consistant, but it is driving me crazy.
Any other ideas?
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-07-10 17:05
Check the adjustment screw on the upper A# /G# key. If it is too tight against the A key it could prevent proper seating. Also make sure the pad located under the A key finger touch is opening enough. Sometimes the trill keys become slightly bent and bind against each other. Are any of the keys sticking or binding in any way?
Best Regards
Mark
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-07-10 17:50
Agreed on the A/G# screw adjustment. Maybe I'm missing something but I can't figure out how to play third "space" C on the top section! I can do C4,though which was probably what was meant.
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Author: AmateurJen
Date: 2003-07-10 18:16
thanks...will check the adjustment screw and the key bends. Old pot-metal keys on this thing...so possible something might be bent. Will give those ideas a try and will let you know.
At least I managed to get to the music store during lunch and grabbed a basic repair kit...at least I can glue in a few missing pads on my resin clarinet and have that one to noodle on while I figure out what's going on with the wood one...I just don't want to perform with my metal clarinet...it's great for practice, marching or in a pinch...but I need that earthy tone for the throat tones...
Thanks for the info guys...you're the best!
Jen
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Author: Tom A
Date: 2003-07-11 00:07
Hi Jen,
You describe it as "most" problem notes being in the upper joint fingerings. Can you be more precise about exactly which notes aren't sounding? I've got an idea similar to Gordon's (Kia Ora), but I don't want to write an essay which will waste your time or confuse you!
Cheers.
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Author: AmateurJen
Date: 2003-07-11 02:01
Good news...
I finally narrowed the problem down to the A key. It was too tight and was not springing back to a fully closed position and would stick in a partially open position.
I got it fixed now, just loosened the screw a bit and I think I'm gonna oil the screw joint a bit just so it doesn't crank itself back on again.
With the partially open A key the notes would not come out clearly if at all and sometimes it sounded like the register key was open when it wasn't.
Thanks everyone for your help and for saving me a trip to the repair shop. I appreciate it!
Jen
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-07-11 05:35
Often the problem with an A key is that the spring has worn away a slight groove, such that as the key closes, the spruing pushes up against the tiniest 'wall' of timber at the end of the groove that is worn.
Other common A key problems with these symptoms are
- Spring too short (even sometimes by only 0.5 mm).
- Too much of the spring contacting the key.
- Lubricant needed on the spring where it contacts the timber (or metal plate).
- Gummy deposits in the pivot, from inapropriate lubricant.
- Rust in the pivot
- Bent pivot tube.
If lubrication was the band-aid (not the fix) then the problem is almost certainly a gummy pivot.
If loosening the screw was the band-aid (definitely not the fix), then it could be bent pivot rod, gumminess, or rust. (you are now using the screw rod inside the posts as the pivot!)
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-07-11 15:37
I agree with Gordon. You could now be pivoting on the threads on one post and the post on the other side. Get a magnifying glass and see if the screw is moving (turning) with the key when pressed. If it is, remove the screw (you may have to push it through with a pin) clean the screw and tube as best you can (protect the pad from the solvent). Dry the parts, lubricate the screw and reassemble. If its gumed up this should fix it.
Regards
Mark
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-07-11 21:20
Boy, it's like standing there with my hands behind my back waiting with my breath held for the next part of the solution. You guys are the greatest! Take a bow ![[hot]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/hot.gif) .![[toast]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley15.gif)
Bob A
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