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Re: contra-alto clarion EMERGENCY

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-09-13 20:41

Try also holding the third vent controlled by the register key closed. It's the one that opens for throat Bb.

Other possibilities:
- leaks in the 6 lowest pads, operated by right middle finger and on down
- leak in the bell socket
- leaks through the wood:
- cracks, particularly at the key posts, or elsewhere
- key post that has worked its way through and is sticking into the bore
- pinhole in the metal bell
- soldered joint where the tube on the bell meets the body

The problem is definitely a leak. You just have to find it.

Contra reeds often warp down the middle. Put the reed on 400 or 600 grit sandpaper and get it completely flat on the bottom. Then tighten the ligature up quite snug and then back it off 1/4 turn.

Finally, you can stabilize the upper register by using a "bad" embouchure, with your jaw down and back and your chin bunched up. Many bassoonists do this and call it an Andy Gump embouchure.

Ken Shaw

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