 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Silvite
Date: 2003-12-28 01:21
When I play those two notes they come out kinda clogy and different from my other notes. Has anyone else experienced this?
I use vandoren m13lyre and 2.5 reeds.![[frown]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie2.gif)
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MY Jean Baptiste clarinet went on ebay for $150!!
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2003-12-28 01:42
Oh yes. I think these are the worst notes on the instrument, especially the B.
The reason is that the register key is in the wrong place for these notes. Rest the instrument on your knee, finger a long B without the register key, and reach around with your left thumb and open the third trill key and you will get an idea what it would sound like if the register key was in the right place.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-12-28 02:25
I agree with Gary that there could be a better way to design and place register holes but for right now we have what we have.
It appears to me, Sylvite, from what you describe you're ready for a visit to your local repair tech. Those keys are easy to get out of adjustment and when they're not just right the instrument will sound 'stuffy' and get progressively harder to blow. All the techs I know routinely do those kinds of 'quick-fixes' for free - however, a pad or cork replacement (if needed) will cost a little.
Make sure the horn's not at fault, then practice the gymnastics 
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-12-28 09:27
Assuming that your clarinet is adjusted properly (as Ron B has correctly suggested), a good way to add more resonance to the note B4 (on sustained passages) is to open the throat A key with your LH first finger while playing B4. This will give a bit more ring to the note.
This has the effect of adding an additional register key vent (as per Gary Van Cott)...GBK
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Author: Burt
Date: 2003-12-28 14:36
I had the same problem with my "A" clarinet, especially on B. The problem was that the clarinet didn't have the original bell - the replacement was too long. Getting a different bell made a big difference; it also helped the low E and F a bit.
It's also possible that the last key doesn't open far enough, which would affect the third space C. This is not a trivial adjustment, so you may want to have a tech do it.
I also find that some reeds are worse than others on the third line B.
Once the technical problems are solved, the only hope is fingering changes, like the one Gary and GBK suggested.
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Author: lyn
Date: 2003-12-28 16:24
The B is not the loveliest note on the horn. You say it's cloggy sounding, my first guess is that maybe a finger is not covering a tone hole properly. Check that first. If your low E comes out nicely, but the B sounds stuffy, it's a finger placement issue.
If that's not the case, I also second the idea that you should have a tech look at the horn to make sure the keys are aligned properly down there.
Another thing is that you really should have a harder reed than a 2.5 on an M13. No one should be playing above an open G on a 2.5 reed unless you're playing Klezmer.  It's very likely the reed is not supporting your sound on those notes. A soft reed will collapse when more is demanded of it. A harder reed - even just a half size up - will give you a much better tone quality (all through the upper registers, once you get used to it) - try putting a 3 on.......it will also help with your breath control.
~L
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Author: Vrat
Date: 2003-12-29 16:00
Commonly, the cause of your problem is a leaking Ab/Eb key (maybe the spring too lose).
Good luck,
Vrat.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2003-12-29 17:23
While I wouldn't completely rule out a loose spring or leak on the Ab/Eb key, I would expect clarion D to be troublesome if that was the problem. If the only two notes giving trouble are B and C, I would look to a slight leak around the F#/C# pad as a likely culprit.
For a quick test to see if the pads are sealing properly, take the lower joint by itself and close all the tone holes with your right hand (using the right-hand pinky E/B key). Cover the bottom opening with your left hand, then try to suck air through the upper end of the joint. If everything is aligned properly and sealing tightly you should create a vacuum that continues for at least several seconds after you stop sucking. Next, with the joint still closed, try blowing into the upper end (sealing the end with your mouth). You should feel strong resistance. If the instrument fails the "suck" test, a pad is probably not sealing properly. (As I mentioned above, I have found the F#/C# key is frequently the culprit.) If it passes the "suck" test but fails the "blow" test, then the problem may be a weak spring that is allowing a pad to open slightly in response to the back pressure created when all the tone holes are closed. In that case, the first place to check would probably be the Ab/Eb pad.
Another thought. Do you have the same problem with B when you use the right hand pinky fingering as you do when you use the left hand pinky fingering?
In the end, you're probably going to want to take the instrument to a repair shop where a repair tech should be able to diagnose and fix the problem fairly quickly. Most likely the problem will not be an expensive fix.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2003-12-30 01:54
Trying harder reeds with that mouth piece is the first thing.
The next thing,
Take the bottom joint of the clarinet and place the bottom of it on your leg so air can't get out. Blow into it like you were blowing bubbles in a glass of water and press down first 3 fingers and right low e key to close all of those pads. If you can hear air leaking out of the pads on the bottom of the joint then you know you have a bad pad or a key not closing. IF no air leaks then you need to try harder reeds and practice, practice, practiice:)
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Author: Clarence
Date: 2003-12-30 02:48
If you are talking about the B and C at the bottom of the horn, don't over look the pad on the bottom left side.
Is approximately 15 mm in size and small leaks will cause the effect that you describe.
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Author: Avie
Date: 2003-12-30 02:52
I agree that B4 & C4 are stuffier sounding than the other notes and in order to compensate for it requires a stronger breath stream, a break in concentration and relaxation in order to emhance them. A chain is as strong as its weakest link is a good example. Just as some BB posters have suggested to open certain keys to enhance the sound which isnt practical when playing it would be nice if the clarinet was already designed to compensate for the problem. The B4 & C4 keys discourage a lot of new students. A student would learn much faster if he didnt have to struggle with the mechanical and Acoustical flaws of the instrument.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-07-11 10:53
In this old thread Jack Kissinger refers to making sure the horn is sealing properly.
As long as the keywork is adjusted properly, there should be NO UNDUE PROBLEM with these notes. In fact, they are pretty solid (this is where you tune most often).
The type of pads have more to do with durability, quietness of action, and reaction to moisture than sealing (unless they are old, brittle, torn pads). I'll grant you that the standard Valentino pads are the most forgiving (due to their ability to form to almost any given misalignment), but you give up a solidness of sound (I don't know if this is due to the the deep seats that form or the sponginess of the material......either way I don't like these pads).
If you have unresolvable issues with the middle notes on your horn, it sounds more likely a good tech could solve them.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2013-07-11 12:17
Mine were ok, on all instruments. Have competent tech fix yours.
richard smith
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