 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-03-13 18:51
Middle line B is sounding nasty. It plays, but has an almost growly sound. I got my clarinet looked at recently by a reputable repairman about 2 months ago, and it's been like that ever since, but not enough to warrant making the hour-long drive in the lovely Nova Scotia winter to the back of beyond. It wasn't my best note before he worked on my clarinet, either: it sounded spit-bubbly after playing for a while. But now, it's not a clear sound at all. He replaced the two bottom pads on the right side of the instrument, and I'm wondering if it might have something to do with that.
Any ideas?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-03-13 19:20
Sounds like the spring tension on one of the closed keys could be too light - try the F#/C# key as that causes all manner of trouble on Buffets (assuming yours is a Buffet) if the spring tension is too light.
But getting the spring tension and the feel of the F#/C# key so it feels right on Buffets is a pain in the arse.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-03-13 19:25
It's not a Buffet, it's a really old Conn, but I'll check anyway! But, where do I look and how do I tell? Wouldn't that affect other notes too?
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-03-13 19:26
I have strugged with a similar problem. Even after a very well-done and costly overhaul, the B (particularly when played with the left pinky) is a fickle note.
The pad, which is a new bladder pad, seems to seat just fine. But...
The problem is that the part of the key that connects vertically long the lower joint moves a bit from side to side. My repairman noted this problem in a general way when he first looked at the instrument. It's a 50-year-old Evette & Schaeffer. He said the instrument played..or played badly...depending upon how you depressed the keys. Fingered from one angle, all was well. From another, pfffft.
Something might be loose on the left side of your clarinet as well.
For now, I've put some Scotch tape beneath the crow foot on the right side and that has stabilized it.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-03-13 19:28
Ok, hold the lower joint closing all the holes and E/B key with your right hand and cover the bell tenon with your left hand. Then blow into the socket gently, gradually increasing the air pressure and see which keys lift.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-03-13 20:04
I tried that, and the key that comes open when you play c#/f# came open.
Also, what is a crow foot?
Post Edited (2009-03-13 20:06)
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-03-13 21:01
The crow foot is the flat, two-toed structure beneath the F/C keys on the lower right. There's usually a piece of cork or felt on the top side, where it touches the keys. I added some tape.
Post Edited (2009-03-14 02:12)
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2009-03-14 10:45
"... He said the instrument played..or played badly...depending upon how you depressed the keys. Fingered from one angle, all was well. From another, pfffft...."
If he cannot correct that to a fully functional, reliable state, then you need a new technician.
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-03-14 15:54
IS this something I can fix myself or will I have to take it to a repairperson. There's two in my area, the really good one who lives an hour away and one who lives 5 minutes away but really isn't as good. Chris P, maybe your know the good one, Marius Kowalski. He used to work on Howarth clarinets, I believe.
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Author: huff n' puff
Date: 2009-03-14 16:45
Hi....... had the same problem once...... kicked myself for not noticing sooner that the pivot screw right down at the bell had worked loose. Check it out. ...... H&P
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2009-03-15 05:37
Associated with F/C and E/B, I reckon there would be a couple of dozen things that can affect reliability and response of mid-staff B. It really needs the eyes and fingers of a capable technician to quickly pick up which of these need attention. There only needs to be ONE of these at fault to make B function poorly.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-03-15 13:02
Gordon,
You're quite right, but for the most part my tech did correct the problems throughout.
The one faulty pad I mentioned has been a problem since I got the clarinet and has defied an easy fix even as everything else fell in to alignment. But for now, the Scotch tape has helped.
Back to the drawing board.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2009-03-16 12:40
Weberfan, I'm going ot be obstinate here...
If you have a key or pad performing in a faulty way, the technician has done an incomplete job.
There has to be something that has not been corrected. Be it an easy fix or almost easy fix, it can be done, as long as the root cause of the fault is identified and dealt with. It seems it has not.
Post Edited (2009-03-16 12:41)
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-03-16 15:32
Gordon,
If my tech weren't hundreds of miles west of where I live, I'd send it back right away.
But my clarinet has been on an extended expense-paid vacation for a while, and I'm pleased to have it back.
I'll probably play it with the temporary tape repair during a kind of shakedown cruise, to be sure all else is working well and not sliding around.
Then, as you quite correctly propose, I will pack it up and send it back for what I hope will be the final tweak.
I've had a run of so-so repairmen locally and now that I've found someone I'm pleased with, I'm going to maintain the relationship. The obvious drawback is the distance between us.
Thanks again.
Chuck
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