 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2004-10-18 14:51
Hello, does anybody have a suggestion for what can be done about these two notes being uncomfortably flatter than the notes surrounding them? I need to bite to bring them up and I don't like having to do it espcially on the C. Is it possible to add to the undercutting of the tone hole?
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-10-18 15:01
Nick -
The first place to check is the register vent, which often gets deposits of crud. Get a pipe cleaner, take off the register vent, dip the end of the pipe cleaner in water and scrub out the vent. You may be surprised at how much stuff comes out.
Then, leaving the key off, play upper register notes to check whether the high C is in tune. Then put the key on and check again. The key should open just enough to slide a nickel under it.
If the notes are still flat, the left index finger hole can be enlarged, and perhaps undercut. This is professional work. Take it to someone who has done tuning work.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ben
Date: 2004-10-18 15:03
You could also try adjusting the pad height for the left hand rings; although this would affect E/B even more then F/C.
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Author: coasten1
Date: 2004-10-18 22:29
Remeber to use good breath support and push fast air through the clarinet. That may alter the pitch a little as well.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2004-10-19 01:14
High 'C' is usually sharp (+4 or +5cents) on most clarinets so I assume you have newer design/model where the register tube was moved 2mm up.
Ken gives a very good advice (as usual). I'd try to explain undercutting procedure. But first things first.
1. Try to clean the register tube.
2. Open up the register key a bit (2.5mm).
3. If the high 'C' is still flat you need to undercut the tone hole (for the left index finger). If you're careful this is basically do it yourself job on this particular tone hole. I use a Dremel tool for this purpose but for you I would suggest to use a fine round needle file. OK let's imagine that your tone hole has four sides looking to opposite directions.
1. Mouthpiece end/side,
2. Bell end/side and
3, 4. Two sides.
You want to undercut the upper (mouthpiece end) perimeter ONLY. Hold the file at 30-35 degree angle and start undercutting the LOWER portion (bore side) of the tone hole. Work very slowly. Make sure not to touch the bore with the tip of the file. Put some masking tape on the tip. Make sure you're NOT cutting into a higher portion of the tone hole. Concentrate on/tune the high "C" and NOT the twelfth below "F".
Remove some wood and check the high 'C', remove and check, until you have reached the desired result. When you're done, apply some oil on the undercut part. I seal it with shellac but oil is fine too.
Vytas Krass
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
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Author: pzaur
Date: 2004-10-19 01:27
I'm sure you've probably checked this, but is the spring out of place on the key between the first and second fingers in the left hand? That's always the first place I check when a student has a noticeably-flatter-than-usual F.
The key should remain open by itself.
-pat
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