 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kilo
Date: 2007-03-29 00:20
The "one-over-one" Eb/Bb (xoo-xoo or xoo-oxo) has never sounded full on my new Green Line and having played Selmers all my life I thought, "Hey, maybe it's a Buffet thing" and figured I'd have to live with it. But I was examining the mechanism today and discovered that if I played the "one-over-one" and used my left middle finger to press the actual pad (a bit like the "bis" Bb on the sax) the note rang nice and clear. Sure enough there was just enough play to keep the pad from fully seating, resulting in the weak sound.
Should I try to raise the lever at the joint, forcing it up a bit, which will make the lower joint lever push on it a bit harder? I stuck a small piece of heavy paper between the joint levers to simulate a slight lift and this does result in a clear sounding note. Or should I try to lower the pad key itself by propping the rings open and pressing on the pad?
As I say, it's just the minutest bit out and I don't think it would take much to fix it but I'd like to know if one approach is preferable to the other. I don't want to make the problem worse or inadvertantly throw some other part of the mechanism out of kilter. Thanks.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-03-29 00:30
Twist the joints to find the best position for the long Bb to work. Ideally it should be in regulation when the joints are aligned with the bridge key all lining up.
If you want to tweak it, hold the top joint ring closed and push the connection lever down towards the tenon cork, then assemble and check to see if it's better.
It's best to use a feeler gauge to check the pad closure for the long Bb regulation, as this will show you which pad is lighter or heavier. You want the upper pad to have equal or slightly lighter pressure in comparison to the lower pad (on the bottom joint rings). If it's over regulated and the lower pad is light, then this will cause trouble for the right hand notes.
Has your clarinet got synthetic cork or natural cork on the upper lever of the long Bb connection? Both of these tend to compress and the long Bb regulation can go out.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2007-03-29 02:13
usually, you have 2 choices:
a) change the cork on the bridge key to make is a bit thicker
or
b) bend the bridge key slightly
either way is best left to a good repair tech, who should be able to deal with it in a few minutes. dont try bending keys unless you are experienced, and have padded pliers so you won't scratch the finish
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: behemothben
Date: 2007-03-30 01:30
before you start bending metal, try adjusting the bridge alignment. If they are evenly aligned it should be ok, but if it has to be out a bit its really not a big deal. hold down the bottom hand keys and wiggle the ring on the left hand middle finger to be sure it doesn't move. if it does, the note won't always sound cuz the pad isn't closing first.
ben
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