 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-09-16 18:17
I recently acquired a Bundy Alto and overh-err, put it back into playable shape. It passes the balloon test (party balloon instead of bell) and everything appears to be - statically - tight.
However, when playing clarion C (middle of the staff) and neighbouring notes, I often overblow. Scales aren't really a problem, but jumps from throat A to Clarion C etc are unsatisfactory, to put it mildly. All other notes, from low Eb up to altissimo F, play fine. For the record, I'm using a brand new Yamaha 4C mpc with 2.5 Alto Clarinet Reeds that were conditioned by red-haired virgins at full moon.
My questions:
- does the Alto require a radically different embouchure (ie more relaxed)?
- what would cause the inadverded overblowing?
- how would I detect dynamic leaks (the ones that manifest themselves while playing, not while doing a static leak test)?
--
Ben
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-09-16 20:49
GBK, did my post not "take" ? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-09-16 20:59
Don - No posting of yours, on this thread, made it to the bulletin board...GBK
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-09-17 01:06
TKS, Glenn, I must have hit a delete etc, being concerned with football !! I believe I was trying to say, the Bundy alto [open holes?] isn't great, the emb. for me is between bass and sop cl, and dyn. leaks?, no thots, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-09-17 07:19
"For the record, I'm using a brand new Yamaha 4C mpc with 2.5 Alto Clarinet Reeds that were conditioned by red-haired virgins at full moon."
There is your first problem - try blondes.
"does the Alto require a radically different embouchure (ie more relaxed)?"
I wouldn't say radically. I'd say (like Don) between soprano and bass is about right, for me closer to soprano. But for me the difference between bass and soprano is not that big either.
"what would cause the inadverded overblowing?"
Well, something is definitely wrong. Unfotunately it can be you, the mouthpiece, the reed, or the clarinet. To try to eliminate, find someone else to play it, try a different mouthpiece if you can, etc.
Do these overblows start only from C, or also from middle staff B?
"how would I detect dynamic leaks (the ones that manifest themselves while playing, not while doing a static leak test)?"
Did you try a thin thing like rolling papers to search for leaks? I am not the most experienced repairer, but I never had a leak that I felt by playing that I couldn't find with the rolling papers.
I've played two altos, Pedler and Leblanc Paris. None had the problem you describe. I also played a Bb Bundy which played very good so I am guessing their altos are at least reasonable. Maybe try to press your fingers VERY hard to see if that helps. If it helps I guess you have a leak. Unfotunately if it doesn't help it doesn't mean you don't have a leak.
Hope this helps a little.
Post Edited (2006-09-17 07:41)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-09-17 08:12
Clarnibass,
thanks for your insights.
Meanwhile I guess I narrowed the problem down a bit. Playing scales from eg clarion A (above staff) down to B is fine, but the C yields a strong hiss at the register tube (the Bundy has the two-hole Bb/register mechanism with the rocker) and I guess that one needs attention. Looks like the register tube has a venting problem (not all that uncommon I read) resulting in resistant lower clarions and possibly the overblowing.
I'll play around with conically shaped/thinner cork pads and maybe an exit taper in the tube.
The overblowing happens (less) also with B and D but is most prominent with C.
The pads are tight (didn't try with papers but the balloon) but I'll check them anyway. Maybe one of them needs to be reseated or clamped close for a day or two to "wear in" properly.
Whenever I'm done fiddling and fighting with the alto and grab my standard Bb, my first thought is "oh my is that one cute and tiny!".
Update: I reworked the register key mechanism a bit. I used a conical piece of cork as a pad and made an exit flare into the register tube. The result is like day and night (or rather the other way round) - the hissing is a lot better, so is the overblowing. This was just a proof of concept, I'll refine it some time later.
I think I owe Koo (for bringing up the Throaty Bb thread) and Gordon (for the tapered cork, in a different thread) and David (for the flare) a beer each.
--
Ben
Post Edited (2006-09-17 16:02)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-09-18 04:00
Thanks, Ben -- I like Guinness.
![[toast]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley15.gif)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-09-18 06:44
You guys got PayPal? Snail-mailing food to the U.S. is a tad difficult these days...
--
Ben
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-09-18 12:03
Yeah, but beer sent electronically tastes flat...................
Are we getting off topic? Just wondering.
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2006-09-18 22:02
David, you might be right on topic if beer breath has a different specific gravity/density which has a discernable effect on register tube venting. Eu
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-09-18 22:17
[ This thread has strayed off topic and is closed. If anyone has an important info to add, email Mark or myself and the thread can be reopened - GBK ]
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