 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2004-08-21 15:40
Hi all,
For the youth symphony I'm in, I was issued an A clarinet from the school of fine arts that hosts it. It doesn't have any markings on it besides the buffet markings, so i assume it to be an r-13. All the keys aren't shiny and the case is very old so i assume this clarinet as to be 10-20 years old, not that thats the problem. My Bb is an r-13 vintage, which is about 4 years old. I use a lomax classic medium open mouthpiece with vandoren's optimum ligature, and i use Vandoren size 4 v-12 reeds.
When i play the A clarinet, it just seems to feel constantly stuffy. And when im playing staccato (we're playing Carmen suite, so there is one movement that has enough staccato to make me want to die) i constantly feel like i am about to squeak. Its not perfect, but it is much easier to play the same passages on my Bb, and my Bb sounds so much better.
What am i doing wrong. If u need anymore info, please ask.
Thanks for any advice.
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2004-08-21 15:57
mykbrain,
First it would help us to know what the serial number of the clarinet is, then we can quickly figure out how old the instrument is?
Second, what notes or range of notes make you feel like you are going to squeak, there maybe a leaking pad?
Have you tried to have your teacher or someone else play the horn?
I have an old (1920) Buffet that was very stuffy until I changed the barrel. And of course it plays better with some mouthpieces then others.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2004-08-21 21:06
the number is 273591
feels resistant mainly around the c/f, b/e areas
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-08-21 21:26
mkybrain wrote:
> feels resistant mainly around the c/f, b/e areas
Have the clarinet checked for leaks, or pads which are not seated correctly.
If this is a clarinet which is continually loaned to students as the need arises, it probably is in need of a quick shop check...GBK
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Author: Douglas
Date: 2004-08-21 22:20
The mouthpiece/reed set-up you are using is geared for your Bb which most likely has less resistance than the A clarinet. First, try to find a reed which will work on your Bb, but is slightly easier is resistance and very quick in response. Then see if that set-up is an improvement for the A. Another approach...go through a box of reeds (perhaps a mix of 3.5 and 4 V-12's) testing them only on the A. Find what you need there first, then see if you can make that set-up work on the Bb, rather than starting with what has been working on the Bb and praying it will be wonderful on the A.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-08-22 12:30
Definitely, the FIRST thing to do is to ascertain that there are no leaks. These will make ANY clarinet stuffy and resistant. Never start messing with reeds and mouthpieces until this MOST likely culprit has been eliminated.
Other common culprits include
- Some deposit partly blocking the register vent.
- Lint partly blocking the lower end of tone holes.
- Insufficient venting (pad lift from tone holes)
- Poor linkage adjustment between the bridge keys, such that A/D closes before the low ring key does.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-08-22 15:16
Additionally the Clarinet may need to have some reaming done to it to open it up. Morrie Backun can instantly diagnose that if it needs to be done and do it correctly. Take it to a high end repairman to get something like that done as most don't even have the start of a clue what to do beyond the obvious (leak, etc).
In high school I played a Conn A Clarinet that felt like blowing in an elephants trunk 
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2004-08-22 17:00
frankly i don't trust any repair people down here......one lady said that the clarinets need to be oiled often......one guy i went to, every time i got something fixed, the same problem came back pretty soon, it was like just a temporary fix b/c he didn't really know how to fix it....there is one place thats pretty new and its a nice place that i havent tried yet.....i just get like pads and such replaced for a the first time, and ask them to check for leaks and such
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-08-23 00:25
Ask WELL-established, local, professional musicians and teachers (plural, to get past the dishonesty associated with the practice of kick-backs) who they recommend for servicing, and a pattern will soon emerge.
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