 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: moolatte
Date: 2009-09-20 02:58
Well, you see... I put that the key sticking was unrelated because it's a problem I've been having to deal with since April.
To the point, yesterday I had my clarinet out, and I had a hat bag with metal rings, and one of the metal rings got caught on the 2nd to bottom trill key. It was really dark outside (It was an outside performance) and noticed that my clarinet got caught on something. I couldn't see too well, and blindly tried to take the metal ring off of the trill keys. I gently pulled in whatever way until it finally came off, but I'm not sure if I might've bent one of the trill keys.
Is there any real way of checking for that? In a related matter, my C# key sounds all airy. I let one of my friends look at it and she said my C# key was bent over to the right. Is she right? It looks like it's in the right place, in the middle of the impression hole, but I'm not good with such technical stuff of the clarinet.
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To the key sticking. My register key sticks every time I take it out of the case. In April, we were at contest, and I had a solo. I was extremely nervous. (Basic story, don't want to bore you) As soon as we went on stage, my register key kept sticking, something that I'd never had to deal with before. Even when we were in the rehearsal room 10 minutes earlier.
It's a problem I've just had to deal with until now. I swab my clarinet out sufficiently every day I play it, but it just sticks for some reason. I can press the register key, and get it to come unstuck, and it will remain unstuck for the rest of the time that I play it. The only way to keep it from sticking is to put a little piece of paper between the register key. (But it sticks anyways the next time.)
What can be done?
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Additional question that I figured someone might know the answer to even though it's not exactly a clarinet question:
What's the average reed strength that a senior in high school usually will be playing at? (He plays saxophone, but I haven't exactly had a close eye to see whether is was an alto or tenor. He was making really high pitched noises on it the other day, so I would assume alto)
Some clarinets here double on saxophone also, so I figured one of them might be a lesson teacher who would know.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-09-20 04:25
Does anything look bent? If not, does it play the same as before? If look ok and play ok, probably it's ok. But might be worth showing to a repairer or at least a clarinet player/teacher.
For the sticky register key, do you know what type of pad you have there? What model is your clarinet? Do you mean it sticks so much that it's actually harder to press the register key, or just the "kiss" sound that sticking makes? For example some models have Valentino pads there and I notice they usually stick. Some leather pads can make the "kiss" sound. Cork pads sometimes can get a deep impression after a while and sort of grab the register tube, etc. etc.
For the airy C#, which C#? If it's the lowest one, that note is usualy slightly airy comapred with most notes. It becomes even more airy if the key doesn't lift enough, or if the pad is torn, or because of a too hard reed.
Post Edited (2009-09-20 04:27)
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2009-09-20 12:20
re the sticking register key, you may want to take the key off and check for crud accumulations around the hole. Also check the pad, it may need a new one if it's deteriorated as some do and the cork (if present) and decrud as needed. Clean up the screw post and reassemble with some key oil. Don't screw the post back in too tight - this can cause keys to bind. Use a proper size screwdriver it's easy to mess up the slot.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-09-20 12:57
The standard way to stop the register key from sticking is to insert a new $1 (or other) bill between the pad and the register vent, press down lightly and slide the bill out.
You could also lightly dampen a small section of a handkerchief and do the same.
If there's enough crud to stick, there's probably also enough that's gotten inside the vent to interfere with its action. Take the register key off and clean out the vent with a pipe cleaner lightly dampened with water or alcohol.
Ken Shaw
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