 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-09-08 16:22
This is terrible and the reed should be put on last not the ligature as it's very easy to brake the tip specially for young beginning students.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2009-09-08 17:14
I agree, Iceland, that your way is the way it's been recommended but I learned it "the other way" years ago and am not convinced "reed last" is superior. Reed Last had advantages when beginners used only metal ligatures but it requires more finger contact with the reed which can pass on germs from unclean hands.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2009-09-08 17:26
Funny turn this thread has taken.
I have NEVER had any luck with the reed last method. It's like trying to paint the pilot of a a model airplane after you've already glued him into the cockpit. I also have spent many years using blattschnur and you CAN'T do reed last with string!!!
As the the assembly method, I hold firmly across the rings utilizing the strength of the top ring post and thumb rest (where it anchors to the horn ESPECIALLY if it's a Buffet adjustable - not strong at the thumb plate).
................Paul Aviles
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-09-08 18:09
I hold the LJ with my right hand, leaning the thumb muscle against the LH spatula key posts, closing the rings from under the body. Never a problem.
--
Ben
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2009-09-08 18:41
.. and the metal ligature in the photo is the wrong size and only grips at the edges of the reed!!!
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Author: BrianChau
Date: 2009-09-08 21:04
I think the ligature in the photo is just really loose, to exaggerate the point.
Brian
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-09-08 21:30
Personally, I have only a few diffs from this thotfull How To. I grip the L J [palm up] with L H, closing the lower stack and gaining support from the "long key " posts. For mating the UJ/LJ, [sim.[ UJ palm up , L J palm down, so as to see the mating of the bridge key halves. I prefer to join the mp to barrel, having somerthing to hold !!, position reed carefully, add lig, tighten snuggly, not Tight, assemble and play Well?? As F S sang, Its My Way ! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-09-08 22:08
The way I hold the clarinet to assemble it is with the lower joint in my right hand with the palm downwards holding both large pad cups covered and held closed with my thumb - this keeps the keys closed therefore preventing anything getting bent.
The top joint is held in my left hand with the palm upwards, wrapping my fingers around to hold the ring keys closed so the joints can be put together without damaging the linkage.
All too often I see clarinets with the lowest keys all out of regulation because the keys have been bent upwards due to being held incorrectly during assembly. The easy way to remember this is to hold the joint with the hand that normally plays that joint - so the upper joint is held in the left hand and the lower joint in the right hand.
I usually put the bell on first, then join the upper and lower joints, and finally the mouthpiece and barrel are joined and then attached to the top joint.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2009-09-08 22:37
When you use the Ligature Last method it helps prevent tip damage if you keep the reed tip below the mp tip, slip the Lig on loose then with your thumb against the end of the reed heel push it up. I also, usually, assemble the barrel and mp to the UJ and the bell to the LJ before joining the two sections.
Bob Draznik
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Author: kuteclar
Date: 2009-09-09 05:38
Somehow beginners try to be so careful when bringing the reed to the mouthpiece....and then carefully putting the ligature over & on....and lining it up....and I'm always so hopeful...until they push the tip down with their finger & smash the tip!!!. "But, I was SO careful this time!"
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Author: Malcolm Martland
Date: 2009-09-09 11:01
The Hanson site isn't that bad really. I learned something new when I first saw it - namely pressing down the upper rings while assembling the top and lower joint to avoid damage to the linkage. B&H, Leblanc and Noblet clarinets always had flanges on the bottom part of linkage so you didn't have to worry about that, they automatically engaged - I'm sure other makes do too but not all so it was a useful if obvious tip.
And I always put my reed on before the ligature too.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-09-09 11:10
At least they mention holding the top joint rings closed to prevent mashing up the linkage, but their photo demonstrating how to hold the lower joint is asking for trouble.
With the top joint ring keys, a cork stopper can easily be fitted to the LH2 ring linkage to allow it to be assembled more easily, though it's still good practice to hold the rings (or the top joint main action fingerplates on larger clarinets) closed no matter what.
Selmer 10Gs don't have the ramp on the RH ring linkage, or a curved or angled edge, so it's important on these the top joint rings are held closed during assembly.
On full Boehms and clarinets with the forked Eb/Bb mechanism, the LH3 Eb 'sliver' key prevents the rings opening up too far - and if (like me) you don't use this key at all, it can be decommissioned by plugging up the tonehole and only retaining the key purely as a stopper for the LH rings to keep them from opening up too far when the joints are seperated.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2009-09-09 13:46
Chris wrote:
"The top joint is held in my left hand with the palm upwards, wrapping my fingers around to hold the ring keys closed so the joints can be put together without damaging the linkage."
Although this is often advocated, IMO it is completely unnecessary, and indeed rather undesirable.
As long as the middle joint is twisted together from the appropriate direction, I have yet to meet any clarinet where the lower ring key's linkage arm does not slip under the A/D key's linkage arm with complete safety, thanks to the geometryand hinge configuration of these parts.
And for me at least, and I suspect more so for children, this is a rather awkward, weak way to hold a clarinet for assembly, especially if the tenon cork is on the tight side.
IMO keys are more likely to be bent if a child is struggling with an awkward, weak grip on the instrument.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-09-09 13:56
"Although this is often advocated, IMO it is completely unnecessary, and indeed rather undesirable."
Each to their own, mate.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: BflatNH
Date: 2009-09-09 15:40
Anyone want to address Bass Cl assembly? More delicate rods and linkages, and less place to hold.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-09-09 16:01
From earlier "... though it's still good practice to hold the rings (or the top joint main action fingerplates on larger clarinets) closed no matter what."
And holding the large pad cups closed while assembling will prevent keywork getting bent on altos, basset horns and basses.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-09-09 16:59
BflatNH please check out Lawrie Bloom's video on the Rico website about bass clarinet assemble.
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