Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-12-21 16:08
Chris P, as a professional technician, understates the case for a properly adjusted bridge mechanism. The long Bb is hugely important to fluent playing -particularly in flat key signatures-- when you can't get to the side Bb or Bb sliver key, so its always in use. The Long Bb can be fingered from F#, too as xxx|oxo, or even xxx|oox. That's why the lower joint tone holes all have rings that move the bridge mechanism.
If the linkage won't close the pad on the upper joint, the long Bb won't speak, if the linkage is too tight, that pad won't open, and the notes just below the throat will be flat, stuffy, out of tune. If the bridge mechanism is tighter, it will interfere with closing the upper pad and tone holes on the lower joint, and it will cause problems with the notes below top line F in the clarion register and below middle C in the chaleumeau.
As a routine part of assembling your instrument, you need to rotate the lower joint relative to the upper joint to find the sweet spot where the bridge mechanism does its job correctly. To test, put one of your right fingers down on the rings to activate the bridge mechanism. Then, press gently on the pad in the upper joint. There should be no movement; it should be seated firmly. Then test with a tremelo from top line F to long Bb by using the left hand middle and ring fingers.
Late Buffets have a wide flange on the upper joint's share of the bridge mechanism to allow easy adjustment in case someting goes out of whack.
Have your technician adjust the cork thickness and bend the mechanism to perfect the operation. Be really carefull not to snag the darned thing and bend it during assembly and swabbing.
Bob Phillips
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The Clarinet BBoard
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