 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: krazykarl
Date: 2003-11-11 19:33
I recently got my first A Clarinet, a used Selmer Series 9. It seems that any time I play the "a" one ledger line above the staff, it seems to squeak, and when this is not the case, it makes a strange almost growl type sound. This also seems to be the case with surrounding notes g# and Bb. Is this me with my inexperience on an A clarinet, or could there be a mechanical problem?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2003-11-11 21:02
I would heartily recommend you take it to an experience repairer and have it "once overed". It sounds like it needs some TLC and elbow grease. By the way - the series 9 was the halcyon days of Selmer (IMHO).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: krazykarl
Date: 2003-11-11 23:42
What exactly was the "halcyon days" of Selmer? Is this a good or bad thing?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2003-11-11 23:52
Look the word up in a dictionary (but the inference is that it was Selmer's happiest days). There's a strong opinion (from what I've gathered) that Selmer's 9 series were its best. I owned one and certainly loved it a lot.
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
Post Edited (2003-11-11 23:56)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-11-12 03:28
Don't R-13 A's have that same problem on the clarion A? I remember a previous discussion narrowing that problem down to the register tube. Maybe this Series 9 has the same bugaboo.
Take 'er to a tech. And congratulations on the new baby!
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-11-12 08:26
As I recall from threads, these notes are particularly problematic on the A clarinet. And yes I remember that register tube fix being mentioned many times for the R-13 A. A good tech should be able to help smooth out that problem, whether it be from the register tube or any other reason.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jeroen
Date: 2003-11-12 09:53
I recently played a Selmer Series 9 A and was quite pleased with its playability compared with my Buffet Festival A.
I don't think the Selmer has the "typical" A clarinet problems mentioned above. At least I did not encounter them.
So I guess it is a mechanical problem.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-11-12 13:21
Sounds like a leak in the register tube, or even a seal in the uppper joint is off. These are pretty nice clarinets, so have it fixed quickly.
David Dow
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2003-11-12 15:12
Boy, can I tell you about that darn A! The A on an A is usually a bit unstable to begin with, this is the word from my own experience and in talking to numerous others. I even had the same problem on my Bb which was fixed by a new, not warped, MP. That said, have a tech check it out, have others play it to find out if it's mostly the clarinet, mostly you, or a bit of both.
Oh, and good luck.
Rick
Best
Rick
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2003-11-12 15:18
The easiest and probably most needed "fix" on a used clarinet is removal of the register key and adjustment of the screw on the A-G#key combo. Clean out the register tube,replace the pad , adjust the combo. screw and try it again. If it's still acting up adjust the screw some more in both directions. If that doesn't work try a new reed. If that doesn't work take to your tech guy.
Forgot to mention, if the register key screw is frozen.....take the horn to your tech guy before you bugger up the slot.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-11-12 20:40
My horn had a stuffy A & Bb. I sent my mp away to DS to get refaced, and now it's like butter. Now I know the limitations are my horn, not the mouthpiece. It's a good horn, but I've had the opportuinity to play on a colleague's Buffet R13 A clarinet, and the clarion notes all came out beautifully, with the slightest effort, with NO undertones, but his has a serious problem with a stuffiness of throat tones.
Could be the mouthpiece OR the instrument.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
