 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Noqu
Date: 2007-12-19 10:51
Hi,
I have a bit of a puzzling problem and would like to ask your advice: Over the last months I noticed that my throat tones (especially the B flat) were badly flat. Someone told me that this is probably due to dirt in my register hole, so I disassembled the register key and carefully cleaned the register hole. There was indeed quite a bit of dirt in there, and behold - when I put everything together again my throat tones were just perfect.
BUT now I seem to be unable to play a clean high c (the C on the 2nd ledger line above the staff). Unless I really force it or slur it from below with a crescendo, it always comes out with a deep undertone. I remember that I had similar problems getting a clean C when I first learned to play in the high register years ago, but these days I have never had any trouble even playing a piano high c in a very relaxed way (on good days, it might even work pianissimo). No more - ever since I cleaned that hole I feel like a total beginner again.
Is this a typical phenomenon ? Does a partly obstructed register hole somehow make it easier to produce a clean high c (at the cost of a flat B flat) ? I am almost inclined to think about what kind of dirt I might insert into the register hole to get back to the previous state :-)
P.S.: I should mention that (being German myself), I am playing a German (Oehler) clarinet. But I believe the fingerings are not that different from the Boehm system.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-12-19 11:13
The register hole is a compromise and is not optimal size and location for each note that uses it. I would try to experiment with making it just slightly smaller and see if there is a size that is the best compromise for the throat notes (Bb) and the high notes (C). Maybe try a straw and cut it in a way that you can insert just a bit into the tube or something like that. Changing the location is much more difficult and that's assuming you even know (or can find someone who knows) where it should be moved to. If possible maybe it is worth contacting the manufacturer of your instrument since they might be familiar with this problem and have an idea. Maybe some of the dirt wasn't really dirt but wax or something that was put there on purpose to help the problem.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2007-12-19 13:28
Dear Nogu,
Sounds like an odd problem. How is the "C" with thumb, first finger, register and side key? I tended to use that one most often anyway. If you're only having problems with the thumb, register and second finger, perhaps there is a problem with the vent hole pad not sealing.
..........Paul Aviles (Wurlitzer 100C)
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2007-12-19 14:22
Check register key opening clearance. If more than 1mm reduce it to about 1 mm.
richard smith
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2007-12-19 15:20
It's well known that the smaller the register vent, the more readily the high notes speak. Also the register key should only clear the hole by about the width of a nickle. Experiment will show what's best for your instrument.
Why not do a search here for the "Hasty Pad," where this is discussed by various board members. Even better, why not buy the DVD from Ball State where Stanley Hasty and M. Webster go into detail about this...it's of great interest to any clarinetist.
Clarinet Redux
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Author: Noqu
Date: 2007-12-21 09:26
Thanks a lot to you all for the help. Your explanations and a little experimentation with a friend and her clarinet (her horn works just fine for me, mine gives her the same trouble) convinced me that I am on the right track.
@Paul: Unfortunately, my (rather simple) instrument does not have that particular side key - I guess that would have been helpful now
@Geezer, clarnibass: Having read your contributions and the elaborate descriptions about the Hasty pad and the Pinocchio, I felt confident to experiment a little.
I really believe now that the "dirt" (or wax ?) performed a useful function. After a few tests, I came up with a tightly rolled strip of paper (6.5x30mm) inserted into the register hole, effectively reducing the diameter by a tiny little bit. As a result, my B flat is now just a little flat (so that I can still lip it OK), and my high C comes out OK if I concentrate a little. That's a big improvement. I will have to see if this works as a long term solution, though. Maybe a visit to the repair folks is what I really need ...
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-12-21 11:54
Which fingering is the problem??- the middle finger OR the first finger (high B natural) plus a side key?
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Author: Noqu
Date: 2007-12-21 12:46
Middle finger, thumb and register key is the problematic one. My clarinet does not have the side key for the "high B natural plus side key" fingering (it is a Schreiber D16 student model, German system, see image at
http://www.musik-meisinger.de/1/images/Clarinet_WS2616(D16B).jpg
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Author: Noqu
Date: 2007-12-21 13:40
Hmm, now I am a little confused - maybe I did not explain well what I mean. If you have a look at the fingering charts for German clarinet at
http://www.klarinette24.de/griffemittel.html
you will notice five fingerings for high C at the very bottom. I was talking about the first two fingerings. The first fingering is the one I described as problematic. The second fingering does not work on a D16 because the D16 does not have the key between the first and second finger (that's the one I would call an F/C key, but maybe we mean something different by that name).
And to answer the second question: no, the speaker key does not close the brille.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-12-21 13:52
The side keys are all operated by RH finger 1 (as they're on the side of the clarinet), but you don't have the cross C key for LH finger 2 (as it runs across the body) which isn't important as it opens a tonehole in the same position (though on the opposite side) as the side F/C key which is much easier to use.
As the speaker key doesn't close the brille, you can alter the amount the speaker key opens to see what works best for the upper register. On Boehms it's usually a minimum of 2mm, but no more than 3mm. Any less than 2mm will make the throat Bb stuffy.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-12-21 14:25
Noqu- You have the side C key, I am sure. That will be perfectly clear in all situations.
The middle finger C is not very stable. also, does the pad on the top brille close? If it doesn't go down all the way, then that is part of the problem.
The hole under your left hand index finger may need changing to get a clear note. It might be good smaller or maybe larger- very hard to tell without the clarinet in front of me.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2007-12-21 14:26
I think Chris said it, but the trill key second from the top added to your "B" fingering IS a high C. If I'm wrong than it is the top side key. You'll have to excuse me, I've been Wurlitzerless for about seven years.
Oh, and by the way.....try finding your own fingerings, particularly for altissimo notes. Somethings just never get to the charts.
..........Paul Aviles
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