 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2008-01-24 05:11
I can`t find out what I`m doing wrong, perhaps someone can help. I can play C ( above B on mid stave)and the B below it. Also bottom F and bottom E with no problem, but as soon as I slur them or play the two notes rapidly the second note, is unplayable, i.e. the B or the E. I`m playing these notes C&B and F&E with the liitle finger of right hand.
It seems like the reed shuts off and I can`t seem to get any air thru` the MPC. This is strange because the notes in question can be played singularly OK. I`ve gone to a much, much harder reed to check for shut off but there is no improvement.
Any thoughts, Russ
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Author: NorbertTheParrot
Date: 2008-01-24 07:02
Something is leaking. Most likely the crow's foot is out of adjustment.
Try playing C with the right little finger, then add the left to play the B, keeping the right finger on its key. Is that better? If so, it's the crow's foot.
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Author: Liam Murphy
Date: 2008-01-24 07:04
Russ,
I think that the pad that is supposed to be covering the lowest tone hole in your clarinet. The one that would make the E and B possible to play, is not covering correctly.
It is possible to play a B and an E, from a fresh air tongue or air attack, even when the pad is not alligned correctly. There are probably some scientific acoustical reasons for this, but suffice it to say, a pad could have gone awry.
IMPORTANT:
I'm speaking more with the experience of a similar problem that I've had with an alto saxophone, where very much the same problem had occurred. However, I think that to a smaller extent, I have had a similar problem in the past with my old, old clarinet.
Anyway, I'm sure that the BBoard will provide more complete and comprehensible suggestions than mine
Hope you find Clarinet Nerdvana soon,
-Liam
Post Edited (2022-05-27 09:31)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-01-24 07:25
It is usually more likely that the F/C pad is not closing when playing E/B. When you start on E/B do you use only the right hand pinky? Try to play E and B with only the right hand pinky, then only the left hand pinky, both times with a very light touch. Do the notes play?
If one of the low pads E/B or (the more likely) F/C is leaking, playing legato probably means you keep your other finger on the key and the note should play better if the pads are not adjusted, so it is strange they play fine only when strating the notes but not when playing them legato.
Are you a beginner? Have you always had this problem with this clarinet or did it only start recently? Maybe you accidently open another key when you play those notes legato (opening a finger hole, pressing another key, etc.)?Can you let another clarinetist try your instrument?
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2008-01-24 07:44
Thank you both for replying so promptly. Well Liam I`ve had somebody queeze on that bottom pad for a better seal (if it was`nt sealing) as I play but no diff. and wouldn`t the same non playing characteristic be present all the time when ever I try to play a B and an E?
Norbert, I hope that`s your name, I did what you suggested and the B and E play with no problems, slured or not if I use the little finger of left hand hand and not the right as I had been doing.
Thing is tho` I can`t see the difference in what the mechanism is achieving whether I use the R4 or the left hand little finger. I`m showing my ignorance, but where is the crows foot?
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Author: Liam Murphy
Date: 2008-01-24 08:20
Russ,
the crow's foot is the extension of your C/F key that reaches down in between your E/B and C#/F# keys. Its purpose is to depress the C/F key when you finger a E/B or a C#/F#.
If it has been bumped/bent out of alignment it could be causing your problems. I should have thought of that!
But anyway, I'd need to play your instrument to know, so listen to Norbert and Clarinibass : )
-Liam
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2008-01-24 08:54
if you can play rightC-leftB with out problem then it has nothing to do with the crow's foot. I suspect that you are moving the ring finger of your right hand when you push the right pinky key.
try playing C(left) and have someone else push the right B key.
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2008-01-24 10:50
Heh! I think with your help we`ve got it. If somebody keeps a finger on the right finger hole while I play C to B or F to E there is no problem, sounds great, so somehow I have to keep my ring finger always on the hole. The difficulty here tho` is that I can`t straighten completely my right little finger (results of Olympic Games fencing) and it may always make things more difficult. But if I can in future always play B and E with my left little finger then looking at the fingering charts, why do I need the R4 B and E key? Russ
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-01-24 13:51
I had just read the comments above your last one and was going to suggest that you were hitting another key accidently. (Maybe take the ring off!)
I've had some finger misplacement problems in recent years due to arthritis and discovering it was a revelation.
Bob Draznik
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Author: John25
Date: 2008-01-24 14:48
You need the right-hand E and B key because you won't always be able to play E or B with the left-hand key. For example, when a low E follows a G# or a B follows a D#. The same goes for the right-hand F#-C# key - you need that as well.
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2008-01-24 17:27
Bob Hi!, I don`t quite follow you. What do you mean "take the ring off"? Do you mean the ring over the right hand 3rd. finger hole? I don`t wear any rings.
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Author: samohan245
Date: 2008-01-24 19:09
its deffinally the crows foot
i have the same exact problem.
just use a alternate fingureing
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-01-24 22:32
Russ...I meant maybe the ring on your finger is the cause of finger wander
Bob Draznik
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2008-01-25 00:23
Yes John I can see that what you are saying is correct. I can`t ignor the E and B RT. hand keys.
I think my problem is much diluted by knowing now the cause. Rotating like I have to around the 3rd. finger while playing the low Es and Bs is something I`ll have to live with. But concentrating on a better seal of the 3rd. finger hole will help a lot.
Thanks to all. Russ
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2008-01-25 02:57
You can have a repair person adjust the size/shape/angle of the pinky keys to better fit to your hand. It is a simple process for a good technician.
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2008-01-25 04:32
Yes but getting this done in the area where I live is not easy. What I have done tho` is epoxy little angle aluminium bits to the two keys. Works reasonably well but my little finger second joint puts the top half of the finger at right angles to the hand. Anyway I`m not complaining I have and play regularly cello, violin, tenor sax, alto sax and soprano sax. Playing these instruments in little bands and performances gives me enormous pleasure. I`m 75. Life can be wonderful. Russ
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Author: John25
Date: 2008-01-25 13:31
My apologies for the senior moment in my last post. I think everyone will realise that I meant to say "D#-C#-B in the stave" and "G#-F#-E" in the chalumeau. I'll shut up and hang my head!
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