 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ChrisArcand
Date: 2007-09-28 21:32
Hey everyone,
I have a little buzz in the bottom of my lower joint, on the notes C5, C#5, and D5 especially, sometimes a few notes higher. This is a really, really weird problem for me because not only does it come and go, but I can't find any valid explanation - I've tried different reeds, ligs, all the things that produce sound, as well as checking the mechanism itself - my instructor thought it sounded like a spring buzzing, and so I've had two people in my studio now try and play around with springs, levers, pads, etc while I play the bad notes.
Has anyone heard of anything like this? Any hidden mechanisms I'm missing? I know this isn't really a problem anyone can give me a straight answer for, but when the buzz does come its really annoying and I'm really trying to find out all I can.
Oh yeah, and the lower clarion notes are really bad - the corresponding chalmeau notes you can hear the buzz but not as distinctly.
CA
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2007-09-28 21:38
Sounds like a pad is leaking. Sometimes pads have a leak that might not show up on a suction test. Playing long tube notes will sometime create enough pressure that a leak starts and you get a buzz. It's hard to find without changing every pad but that is where I would investigate.
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Author: jmsa
Date: 2007-09-28 21:46
Check the trill keys on the upper joint. Sometimes they can get a little bent and vibrate creating a buzzing when they touch.
jmsa
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-09-28 23:31
Also check the top pad on the lower joint, a "torn " skin on it could cause havoc on the notes you mention, IMHO. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: hans
Date: 2007-09-28 23:52
ChrisArcand,
Whenever I've had this it's been the result of a damaged pad, but I suppose some debris in a tone hole could produce a similar problem.
A repair tech will no doubt find the cause very quickly.
Hans
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2007-09-29 01:41
>"I know this isn't really a problem anyone can give me a straight answer for, but when the buzz does come its really annoying and I'm really trying to find out all I can"<
Springs are always under some tension/pressure so there is no way you can get any buzz from the springs. Every connection that becomes loose on your clarinet will definitely buzz.
1. Check both rings on the bell. Loose rings, especially the large one, will definitely create this problem.
2. Check the pin/dowel connection for the left hand E/B, F#/C# keys. Loose pins/dowels will definitely buzz
3. Check for any loose skin on the lower pads.
Vytas Krass
Clarinet Repair
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
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Author: ChrisArcand
Date: 2007-09-29 03:51
My clarinet is practically new; pads and definately brand new. I'm guessing the trill key idea. I'll check it tomorrow. Thanks guys!
CA
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-09-29 08:50
Since you say it exists a little in the lower notes too this is a slim chance, but try to play those problematic notes, release the register key but keep the higher note playing. If it disapears then it is from the register key/pad.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-09-29 09:44
I had a somewhat similar problem that turned out to be due to a loose bell ring. I removed the ring and it disappeared.
Bob Draznik
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-09-30 02:56
Same thing happened to me years ago...drove me nuts for days til I found it was a torn or loose membrane on the pad of the C key. There was a weird vibration felt all the way up to my lips on notes C and D, I think.
If your buzz is happening higher than D, it could be a torn membrane on the Eb key, or maybe the first pad of the lower joint, like Don suggests.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-09-30 14:26
I have experienced buzzing that seems to be just the instrument itself. This is rare, but with one perticular mpc/barrel combo I get a buzz on high D. If I turn the barrel a bit the buzz goes away. And the buzz seems to come from the UJ's top tennon area!?! Everything is tight, no rings or anything move, but it just seems that way.
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