 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2003-11-11 17:06
Frequently, when I have to come in on a second-space A on my bass clarinet (BC 1193-2) at pianissimo, I have trouble getting it to speak immediately, resulting in a delay between when I want to start the note and when it actually starts. I haven't noticed this problem with any other notes and don't seem to have problems when moving from another note to A, but just when playing a pp A after a rest.
Has anyone else had this or a similar problem? Is it a characteristic of the instrument? How might I go about resolving the problem? Tonguing a little harder? Using a different reed?
This has become an important issue at the moment because we will probably be playing Russian Christmas Music in our upcoming concert and the bass clarinet (including alto clarinet cues) part is very exposed and occasionally starts on a piano/piannisimo A. I will note that, last night at rehearsal I didn't seem to have too much trouble with this. A factor may have been that I pulled out a new reed for rehearsal. (I'll have to double check this observation when I next practice.)
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-11-11 18:25
Don, definitely NOT a characteristic of the 1193. Mine speaks with absolute precision (a tribute to the instrument design and the Brannens' fine tuning work). Impossible to diagnose over a bulletin board, but definitely eliminate non-instrument factors like reeds by rotating. Make sure you don't have any partially blocked toneholes from fluff from the case, an errant fleck of cigarette paper, or whatever. Check that pads are opening completely, and look it over to see that nothing is bent, a risk on the big instruments.
Good luck finding your gremlin!
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-11-11 22:53
Might be a water bubble forming over the tone-hole when the A is raised. I get this on my Selmer 37. I keep a bit of paper towel on hand to keep the tone-hole dry.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2003-11-11 23:30
Have it checked for leaks. There could be a small one that is causing the problem.
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Author: marcia
Date: 2003-11-11 23:40
I play alto calrinet in one group and I also have had water bubble problems with the A tone hole. Took me while to figure out whay awas going on. And we are aslo playing the Russian Christmas Music. Great stuff!!
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