 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: dlloyd
Date: 2009-03-31 12:08
The Bb on my clarinet sounds awful in comparison to the rest of the notes. I can get a slightly better tone using the A key and one of the trill keys, but the A + register is horrific. I vaguely remember something about this being a common issue on clarinets.
Is there anything I can do to improve this situation (short of buying a better clarinet), or should I just put up with it and work out a different fingering for longer notes?
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Author: Nessie1
Date: 2009-03-31 12:17
As has been mentioned on this board before, throat B flat is a notoriously weak note on the clarinet. This is largely due to the fact that the speaker key has to do double duty for both the B flat and as the speaker key for all notes above. To allow for this, there had to be something of a compromise in size and positioning which means that it is not ideal for either purpose. However it is probably not going to change in the foreseeable future so, in terms of practical ways of overcoming the problem with B flat, you may well find it best to use other fingerings when the context allows.
Vanessa.
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Author: William
Date: 2009-03-31 13:29
I use these fingerings for added resonance:
A4 A0XX/000 LB (just to clarify, left hand B/E key)
A#4 RA0XX/000 LB (ditto)
Post Edited (2009-03-31 23:22)
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2009-03-31 15:33
As William mentioned, and add the C/F key RH
Also, check the register, A/Ab pad height and holes, as mentioned.
Additionally, check to see if there is a gap between the barrel and upper joint or mouthpiece (I use a curved dental type hook for this, but you can improvise a device). Consider adding a tuning ring if there is a gap.
Also, rotate the barrel on its axis (eg logo in front, back, or either side). Finding the "sweet spot" by doing this maneuver sometimes helps.
Lastly, Trial a taper bore barrel, since sometimes these defuzz the throat tones.
disclaimer...I make and sell barrels.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-03-31 16:46
The register tonehole/Bb tonehole compromises have been discussed at length for years, and much solutions info. can be found by Search[ing]. I [and many others] have found satisfaction via register tube improvements, sizing/shaping/depth of bore intrusion, thereby avoiding the mechanical complexities of providing two separated tone holes for the sop. Bb Leblanc, Stubbins et al , which is much more needed on the larger clarinets. My AM thots, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: mrn
Date: 2009-03-31 16:58
Here are my favorites (it never hurts to try a bunch of these because YMMV):
G: o o x | x x o
G#: (G# key) o o x | x o o
A: (A key) o x x | o x x (F/C key)
Bb: (A key, register key) o x x | o x x
(You can mix and match these, too--e.g., use the A resonance fingering for Bb, too, etc.)
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Author: dlloyd
Date: 2009-04-01 11:18
I took the register key off and cleaned the tone hole/tube. It didn't seem to make much difference... nor did positioning the barrel.
I've just ordered a new mouthpiece for it, so will avoid experimenting with different barrels for the moment. Part of me is thinking that it would be a false economy to try to improve this clarinet any further.
I'll play about with the alternate fingerings and see what suits it best.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-04-01 13:28
Try using the side/trill key fingering for the Bb as and wherever possible, and make resonance fingerings for the throat notes part of your technique.
Assuming this is your B&H Regent II, it isn't worthwhile getting a special barrel for this clarinet. As and when you decide to upgrade, keep this clarinet as your back-up one so if you do happen to do any outdoor concerts you can spare your wooden one the inevitability and worry of being out in bad weather.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-04-01 14:24
Usually caused by some of the fabric from the clarinet case (lint) migrating into the thumb tonehole tube and sticking to the inside wall. Fuzzy tonehole = fuzzy tone.
Happy April 1st!
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Author: sdr
Date: 2009-04-01 14:55
Many posts have already addressed resonance fingering and the inherent problems of throat Bb. On my clarinet, a Greenline R13, the throat Bb improves dramatically as I make the "ears" of the reed thinner. "Ears" being the two top corners at the tip of the reed. I find this especially easy to accomplish with Tom Ridenour's ATG reed finishing product, but I'm sure other fine abrasive approaches would be equally effective. I don't know if thin ears would help everyone's Bb or if that is a peculiarity of my mouthpiece (Vandoren M15) and horn set-up. I do think, generally, that reed adjusting has different impact on different notes and should not be overlooked as an opportunity to improve one's sound.
-sdr
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-04-01 15:31
Fluff from the pullthrough, as well as grease from a pullthrough used to dry sockets with can occlude the speaker tube (and other toneholes) which is why I stress the importance of not using your pullthrough to dry sockets with, and using a piece of kitchen roll or similar absorbant paper for this purpose.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: marshall
Date: 2009-04-05 21:28
Here are the resonance fingerings I use
I use two different Gs
G: ooo|xxo - this one has a very clear ping and is good for articulated passages
G: ooo|xox - this one is more covered and is good for legato passages, less responsive articulation
G#: (G# key) oox|xoo - matches articulated G well, feels a little too broad (for lack of a better word) but it's the best one I've found.
A: (A key) oox|oxx - nice ring to the sound
Bb (Register key, A key) oox|oox (F/C key) - matches the previously mentioned A fingering very well.
These fingerings work very well on both my A and Bb clarinets.
EDIT: It just occurred to me that I don't know if I put the F/C key down for my A resonance fingering...I just use them intuitively and I don't consciously put those fingers down anymore...I'll make sure to make a mental note when I go back to the practice room later.
Post Edited (2009-04-05 21:33)
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