 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: C. Crispin
Date: 2000-11-02 17:55
Greetings,
Having read the somewhat similar discussion of a bass clarinet suddenly malfunctioning I would like to ask a related question. I have been having a problem with a school instrument (the only on availiable, unfortunately) on which clarion A and Ab will not speak properly. Those two notes often do not come out at all, and at best are very fuzzy, weak, and out of tune in comparison to the notes around them. Most often they only squeak. The rest of the upper register responds okay. I am fairly new to the bass clarinet and am wondering if this kind of problem is typical for players new to the bass, or if this instrument is in obvious need of repair. ( It is an wood Leblanc with single register key, fairly old.) Any tests you can suggest would be helpful. Thanks in advance!
Christina
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2000-11-02 18:21
I assume you can play B-flat, B and C above these without much problem. If this is the case, then I would think the problem would be more instrument- than player-related. One test would be to have a second person press down on various pads while you play the problem notes. If the problem suddenly goes away, you have narrowed it down to a leak in a particular location. At this point, a technician should probably determine if the leak is due to a bad pad or some other mechanical problem (bad spring, misaligned key, missing cork, etc.).
--Don Poulsen
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Author: Francesca
Date: 2000-11-02 18:34
I had to play the exact same setup for high school band before I bought my own bass clarinet. Depending on condition, wood Leblancs can be pretty good instruments. But unfortunately, school rarely keep their instruments in pristine condition. I would check the springs to make sure none of them are bent or even missing. To help the tuning in general, consider getting the instrument oiled by a repair shop. Mine hadn't seen a drop of bore oil for over seven years and the inside of the instrument was literally rotting away. For $60 I had the keys removed and the wood soaked for about 2 days in oil. The tone and tuning immediately improved after that, and the instrument was salvaged from any further damage
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Author: Gordon (New Zealand)
Date: 2000-11-04 03:08
I have yet to see a brand new bass clarinet, including Selmer Paris, that did not need adjustment before it could play adequately, let alone play at its best. A multitude of leaks is the norm for almost all new instruments.
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