 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chogue
Date: 2000-01-21 18:26
After elbow surgery to fix a broken bone this past summer (& lots of good physical therapy), I find it difficult to trill with the four right-hand "pinkie keys." This is especially true when trilling the ab-eb key. I know my problem is in part due to the stiffness of my student model -- I'm playing a crappy plastic clarinet that I've had since 1970. I've been looking to upgrade. As a former alto/bass clarinetist, I learned to love the alternative eb-ab key for the left hand. But this key seems only available on pricey professional models. I'm merely a 2nd clarinetist in a community band, so I hesistate to shell out a grand and a half for a pro model (tho one of our 3rd clarinetists recently did!). Any suggestions? I want to say also that I've learned so much from the forum -- thanks to all for sharing their knowledge and experience!
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-01-21 22:51
Have your local technician check the spring tension on these right hand pinky keys. Sometimes they are stiffer than they need to be. You should also ask the technician to make sure that none of the keys are binding and that none of the screws are too tight. Also keep the pivot points lubricated so that they will not get corroded and bind.
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Author: chogue
Date: 2000-01-21 23:29
Thanks for your great suggestions, Dee.
Also, are the pinkie keys on intermediate clarinets (from the Big Four makers) generally easier to actuate than those on student models? Or is it just a matter of finding the right horn or getting the right adjustment?
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Author: Andy J
Date: 2000-01-24 21:03
well... after 3 years of playing my old clarinet (crappy plastic thing) i got a buffet and at first the Eb-Ab pinky finger was quite stiff, but after a while it got better, and now i just live with it. Also, (i woulnd't really sugjest this) if it's toooo tight you could take the key off and change it a bit. but. that's a bad idea to do it yourself.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-01-24 22:27
Andy J wrote:
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well... after 3 years of playing my old clarinet (crappy plastic thing) i got a buffet and at first the Eb-Ab pinky finger was quite stiff, but after a while it got better, and now i just live with it. Also, (i woulnd't really sugjest this) if it's toooo tight you could take the key off and change it a bit. but. that's a bad idea to do it yourself.
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You shouldn't "live with it" and you shouldn't "do it yourself". Take it to a technician and explain the problem and they will adjust the spring tension properly. This is one of those inexpensive repairs.
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