 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: graceej13
Date: 2006-06-09 02:12
I am an adult who plays in a community band. I have been playing this horn for almost a year, a Selmer student model that was completely overhauled last summer. Last week I picked it up to practice and heard a funny sound - I called it a "warble" at first. It made me think it sounded like a pad was not seating quite right. (I play clarinet like I drive a car - I'm not mechanical so I tell them "it's making a funny sound - can you fix it?")
I got it right in to the shop yesterday, picked it up today (I put a rush on it because we have summer concert series), they replaced a couple of pads, made some adjustments to several keys, which did help another minor problem I was having with an alternate fingering, BUT THE SOUND IS STILL THERE! It's somewhere between a vibrato and a buzzing vibration sound. I tried several reeds and they all sound the same.
Anyone have any experience with this or any suggestions? I called the shop back and they are expecting me to stop and speak to the head technician on Monday and they are giving me a loaner to use, but if I could give them any further information or point them in a better direction maybe that would help.
Sorry to be so vague, I just don't know what else to check.
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Grace
PGrace
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2006-06-09 03:45
One idea:
Make sure your lig screws aren't loose and buzzing.
Only other thing I can think of would be if the skin of a pad is loose, it might make that kind of sound...But that's the sort of thing that's usually pretty easy for even a minimally-competent tech to see!
Another comment:
If it's only on some notes, be sure to mention which ones to the repair techs!
Katrina
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-06-09 04:19
Without seeing the instrument or hearing the exact problem, a few additional areas to check would be:
1) are the problem notes voiced correctly, with the surrounding tone holes open enough so the sound is not choked or stuffy?
2) are all keys and key linkages silenced with cork, felt, suede, etc...?
3) is the keywork tight and not in need of swedging?
4) do all springs have enough tension so that a key is not accidently blown open by the air pressure?
My guess?
#4 ...GBK
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Author: marcia
Date: 2006-06-09 06:06
Did you play it before you took it out of the shop? If you can demonstrate what is happening the tech might have a better idea of the problem and how to fix it.
Marcia
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Author: hans
Date: 2006-06-09 13:16
I had GBK's #4 a few years ago on my backup clarinet and found it with a simple pressure test (close the tone holes, plug the end of a joint, and blow into the other end).
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-06-09 14:06
If all other checks didn't reveal anything, try if removing the bell has an effect (on the buzz, I mean).
Every instrument has its own "natural resonance frequency" (one of the most eye-catching examples of resonance frequencies in action is the Tacoma bridge (http://www.ketchum.org/bridgecollapse.html)). Maybe yours is doing something similar.
Is the warble the same at all notes?
--
Ben
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