The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Andy
Date: 1999-02-28 17:51
Well, I guess i'll start out by saying that every insterment has it's owne tuchy note some where (is this true?). It seems to be every clarinet i play has at least one. Example: My old clarinet from D# to E, or my new one from G to A (one above the staff). Now is this just something that is on every insterment or is it my playing thats screwing it up?!!?!
Thanks in advance
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-02-28 18:42
Just exactly what do you mean when you say touchy? Most clarinets need periodic adjustments of spring tension and key height. Brand new ones are no exception and may need it more than one that has been played and maintained.
All notes should speak easily and clearly (throat Bb may be an exception for acoustical reasons). If they do not, some adjustment is in order.
Now no clarinet is absolutely perfectly in tune throughout its entire range but one that is well adjusted will be fairly close.
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Author: Andy
Date: 1999-03-01 01:01
Ummm.... by touchy notes i mean... like going from a note to anougher. When i take the finger off it goes <b><i> SQUEEEEEKKK!!!!</i></b> I know it shouldn't do this because...ummm..... it's not suposed to!! It's just swiching to that note from any note really.
Melissa, I don't think it's cursed, it's probaly just screwed up, but it could be... hmmm.... next time i see it walking around the house at 2:00am i'll tell you.
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Author: Rick2
Date: 1999-03-01 04:26
Andy,
There are a number of rhings that can go wrong, and if you aren't afraid of a screwdriver, knife, and glue, there's plenty that you can do to fix many "touchy" notes. For instance, I used to have an incredibly difficult time slurring from clarion G to F or F#. These notes involves the keywork that is associated with the bridge key. On the lower joint half, the pad next to the tenon was hitting late, somehow giving it a tongued sound. The emergency fix here is to bend the keyworks to hit at the right time, but that can cause more problems later. It's the sort of fix you use when you're 5 minutes from being on stage. The better solution is to investigate further and find out why. It might very well turn out to be bent, but in my case, the cause was that the key cork at the bridge was worn. Replacing it with new cork then sanding it to the right height solved the problem.
In another instance I had a squeek on any note using the lower joint. It so happened that I had been adjusting the throat Ab/A keywork and had the A key a bit too high causing a leak on high pressure notes.
Just take a patient and careful look and you'll probably be able to see what is the problem in each case. Most of the time you should be able to fix it yourself.
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