 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JamesE
Date: 2004-08-03 22:12
I recently purchased a C clarinet and have discovered an interesting problem, due to the smaller size of the instrument.
The problem occurs when pressing the right hand bis key used to play the “two finger” B-natural below middle C. It seems the key opens right into my right thumb. The thumb rest is slightly adjustable, but not enough to really get my thumb out of the way. It seems to call for an entirely different way (for me at least) to position the thumb.
I am wondering if this has been a problem for other folks and if so, how you solved the problem.
My other problem is that the throat A key (second space) only opens a very small way, maybe less than 0.5mm. The note will sound, but it is pretty unstable. The key does not look bent or stressed, but I am thinking that it is not opening enough. Does this small opening sound correct?
Thanks for your comments.
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-08-03 22:29
G'day Jim ... what make is this instrument ... and if it needs some fine adjustments (often the case with new clarinets) then it's most likely fixable under warranty.
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
Post Edited (2004-08-03 22:29)
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Author: John Scorgie
Date: 2004-08-04 00:05
Jim --
The throat A needs some sort of adjustment, because a pad opening of 0.5 mm (~0.020") is too close.
If like most C clarinets it is a used instrument, the throat A pad may have been replaced with a pad which is too thick for this key on this particular clarinet. A good repair tech can fix that problem by replacement with a pad of the proper dimensions.
For your other problem, a good repair tech can tell if that RH key needs adjustment or modification.
If the key is OK, many of us with larger than average hands like to unscrew our conventional thumbrests (secured by two screws placed ~1/2" apart on a line perpendicular to the axis of the clarinet) and rotate them 180 degrees (upside down), replace the screws and then slide on one of those neat little thumbrest pads which you can buy from Runyon or others for a couple $$. Or you can make your own from rubber tubing.
Let us know how things work out.
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