 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: theconcertino
Date: 2006-02-15 02:00
Hi everyone, I just recently borrowed an old Selmer A clarinet from my teacher to use in my orchestra, and after playing a few long tones on it, I noticed that the lower register notes are nearly impossible to play. However, every note with the register key comes out clearly. All the pads seem to be functioning and close the holes completely. So maybe some other people have had this similar problem and can help a fellow clarinet player out. Thanks!
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Author: wwinds
Date: 2006-02-15 02:36
Usually when the lower registeer does not play, but The instrument plays well with the register key, It indicates a leak or even several small leaks. You mention that it is an old instrument. Often the pads have become hard from moisture and do not seal well even though they look like they are covering. Inspect the pads to see if they are dark in color or stained by water. Stained pads are very often hard, do not seal well and need to be replaced.
Repairing brass and woodwind instruments
www.whisperingwindsrepair.netfirms.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-02-15 23:31
Also inspect carefully for cracks along the creases in the pads (that is where the pad "seats" to the tone hole). I've had a few "invisible" leaks that were of this nature.
..........Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-02-16 02:37
Best way to see if the individual joints are airtight is to lick your fingers that cover the relative open holes of each joint and close them, stop the open end with the palm of your free hand (lick your palm as well to get a better seal) and suck the air out the top end - you should be able to hold the top joint for a count of at least 10 seconds - if there's less than 5 seconds of suction or you can't create a (partial) vacuum at all, then the joint is leaking.
Ideally you want the joint to retain a partial vacuum (as a total vacuum is impossible unless you live on the moon) for a good 30+ seconds for maximum efficiency, as well as good response and a crisp staccato.
I've only been able to get this using cork pads, and even more so on plastic or ebonite bodied clarinets as there are no flaws in the material they're made of - or wooden clarinets with re-cut or bushed toneholes.
I don't recommend blowing cigarette smoke into the joint and looking for the leak that way - it makes the joint smell like an ashtray, and the tar will make the pads sticky.
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2006-02-16 09:21
".....stop the open end with the palm of your free hand (lick your palm as well to get a better seal) and suck the air out the top end ....."
Chris, do you have Blutac where you are? You use it to stick posters on walls. For some strange reason it's popular in Britain, but here in Italy, nobody's heard of it!
I press a large piece of that on the end of the joint to seal it, then I blow down the other end, while making sure all holes are closed. This keeps my other hand free to feel for any air escaping from pads.
It works very well. I once had the same problem with the chalumeau register and discovered two leaky pads very quickly.
Oh, and if the instrument's beyond repair you can always stick it on your wall! ;-)
Steve
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-02-16 18:08
Oh yeah - I do use Blutack to test the joints to see if they're airtight before fitting pads and tenon corks - sometimes the wood itself can leak air at pillar bases or speaker and thumb bushes, and metal tenon rings can leak air as well. At least testing a stripped down joint and making sure it's airtight before it's assembled won't have you going round in circles when you know all the pads seat, and then having to test them all or take the lot apart again when it's a leaky joint.
But yeah, using Blutack does free up your other hand so you can check for air leaks on an instrument when all the keys are on.
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