 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-12-21 01:56
I have been experiencing something lately in our cool, wet weather that I have not in the past, in warmer, dryer weather. I can play a few minutes, and I start getting a buzzing sound, especially prevalent in the higher clarion notes. It didn’t take long to figure out that it was moisture causing it, for after I would swab the clarinet, take it all apart and dry it out, it would stop for a few minutes and the sound would be good. Then the buzzing would start again.
After several episodes of taking the clarinet apart, I started narrowing it down by only drying the top half of the clarinet, and it would, again, stop for a few minutes. I then narrowed it some more to the point that I was only taking the ligature and reed off, drying off the reed, and only surface cleaning the mouthpiece while still attached to the barrel and clarinet. Buzzing stopped again for a few minutes, but would soon begin again.
Okay, then I wondered, why is moisture accumulating so quickly to do this? I don’t think I am over-salivating. I think it’s more a condensation problem than anything else.
At any rate, do any of you ever experience this type of thing, and if so, what do you do to control it?
CarlT
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Author: kdk
Date: 2008-12-21 14:36
A few thoughts, but no real idea:
If it weren't something that only began recently, I'd suspect that the mouthpiece table had warped and air is somehow bubbling through a resulting opening under the reed.
You aren't using a synthetic reed, are you? If you're using cane, I assume you've changed reeds at some point since this started.
If you've really narrowed it down to the point that drying the reed and mouthpiece table stops the buzzing for a little while, I would suppose the next thing to try would be, one at a time, to swap out the ligature and the mouthpiece and see if replacing either stops the buzz.
I used to use one ligature in particular that, because of its construction, would amplify any small air leak from my embouchure. And occasionally a reed will seem to buzz - but neither was moisture-driven.
If you changed anything in your equipment just before this started, you should probably consider that the first place to look for the buzz.
Is it possible that the buzz is coming from something you're unconsciously doing with one of your fingers or at your embouchure and that stopping and drying things simply gives you a chance to rest and and reset?
Just some ideas - maybe none of them will help.
Karl
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2008-12-21 15:15
Probably coming from a pad. I assume your playing a Buffet with the fish skin pads. Or it could be a lose screw.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-12-21 16:20
Please remember that we reed people do not slobber --that's condensation, sir!
Bob Phillips
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Author: William
Date: 2008-12-21 17:14
I agree with Peter, it may be a loose screw. For me, it is usually the one on the top post of my B/E key and buzzes on B5 just like moisture--opps, I mean--condensation behind my reed. A little tightening or some oil often eliminates the sound and calms my nerves.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2008-12-21 21:45
Check how high you are putting the reed on the mouthpiece. If the reed is showing slightly over the tip rail then moisture can sizzle.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2008-12-22 01:33
I don't think it has anything to do with reeds. Really does sound like a mechanical problem, pads or screws.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-12-22 02:22
Thanks, all who responded. Funny thing is that today our humidity was down quite a bit from yesterday, and guess what...no fizzle today. May have been just a local humidity thing.
Arnoldstang, I will try to be sure to watch the reed placement, but I really believe it had something to do with all the moisture in the air for the past few days. I played a long time today, and no fizzle.
Again, thanks for your input.
CarlT
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