 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: larry
Date: 2000-04-21 15:07
I recently bought a new professional model clarinet that plays wonderfully to me, although the right hand notes seemed a bit "stuffy," indicated possible leaking pads. I took it into a fine repairman to have it adjusted and check the pads to make sure they covered, etc. After working with it for a while, he found that even when all the tone holes were sealed with tape, he could not get that perfect suction on the bottom joint by covering the bottom with his hand and sucking in from the top.. He was, however, able to seat the pads and it plays just fine to me.
My question: does a clarinet need to be hermetically sealed in order to play well? If there is some leakage (through the posts or other drilled part, as my repairman suggests), is that an accoustical problem? Since (as I understand it) the sound depends on the vibration of the air column, whose length and frequency are defined by the closed tone holes, what does a tiny leak in the body of the instrument matter, so long as the pads cover? Has anyone out there had or heard of a similar experience?
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Author: steve
Date: 2000-04-21 15:32
to the best of my knowledge, drilled parts such as posts dont go all the way through the horn, so leakage through that route shouldn't be a factor. I've always heard that for best performance, the horn should seal perfectly...the only openings are defined by your fingers and the bell...the acoustic/scentific reasons for this I'm not too sure of...any real acoustiticians out there??? I'm just a chemist....
s.
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Author: J. Butler
Date: 2000-04-21 18:18
The joint should seal. There is a leak somewhere that can be fixed. There may be a leak in the pad, the pad seat, the tone hole may have a small imperfection, a leak in one of the chimneys, etc. Each of the above must be eliminated. I worked on a Buffet not too long ago that had a small pin hole size leak at the base of one of the chimneys (lower joint, third ring). How it got there is beyond me, but it took a few minutes to figure it out.
J. Butler
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Author: J. Butler
Date: 2000-04-21 23:10
I've been repairing instruments for quite a long time. I knew that there was a leak somewhere. I usually use a feeler guage to check for leaks on clarinets. I couldn't get a suction and when I blew into the instruments I could tell there was air venting somehwere. I got my oldest son to listen along the clarinet as I blew air into the instrument with the bottom plugged with a rubber stopper. It took a few times but he soon detected the leak was coming from the the ring. I knew my fingers were covering properly so I turned out the lights, put my leak light into the bore and started looking in that area and there it was.....a little teeny hole no larger the the head of a pin.
J. Butler
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-04-22 05:58
I had one that passed the vaccuum/blow, light test on each section. Almost impossible to get a sound. The corks were like new and fit tight, but a little dry. Dabbed on some grease and it played beautifuly and very easy. This student had already quit band as she thought she had no talent. All she needed was someone at the school to check her INSTRUMENT for playability.
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