 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2009-10-04 13:02
I'm servicing a nice Buffet 1180 Bass Clarinet which plays fine except for a voicing problem on F#/B ( XXX OXO). If you manually press only the top pad on the lower joint that produces those notes, the tone is full and clear. However, if you use the usual fingering which also closes the A/E pad, the tone is foggy and resistant. I've raised the pads as much as I can and the action is correctly adjusted and there are no leaks. Is it time to try undercutting this (A/E) tone hole? I notice that the first tone hole on the lower joint has been undercut, but not this second tone hole. Suggestions welcomed.
Jerry
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-10-04 14:54
This F# is generally a duff note on basses with this fingering - there really needs to be an extra speaker vent in between the two existing ones to clear up the F#.
I usually use the xxx|xo,o fingering for F# as it's much clearer (if attacking an F# straight off) - though it is awkward to use and kinda throws things back by 200 years when there was a key to help the B/F# on instruments before ring keys were fitted with an open standing B/F# vent.
And as it's a forked note, playing it as xxx|oxo will add resistance as there's a tonehole closed below the one the note issues from - hence the Acton vent which unforked the forked B/F# by effectively keeping the RH2 tonehole open (via the vent at the side) while RH2 is closed on the tonehole chimney.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-10-04 15:16
I totally agree with Chris, the player should always use the "fork" fingering, also known as a K fingering whenever possible especially when playing the F#. I also suggest using the 2 side keys and thumb for the throat tone F# because of the same reason, the first finger LH for that F# is also stuffy. The problem is not so much the tone hole as it is that the air hits a large pad and you can only raise that pad so high. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
Post Edited (2009-10-05 00:45)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-10-04 22:27
I agree regarding "fork fingerings" on most cls and saxes, if you can avoid them, your plaring will benefit . Some work well, like the "long Eb/ Bb" on some instr's, why I don't know. Try the several possible fingerings for the "problem" notes. Help, please, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2009-10-04 23:02
The "long Bb" on clarinet works well because there are at least 2 open toneholes before the fork finger. Probably it isn't really a fork fingering as the RH finger main purpose is to take down the LH 2 ring key and its associated pad, the RH finger merely shades the pitch down a tad.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-10-04 23:27
And the reason why the main F# fingering on flutes is xxx|ooxEb as closing RH3 leaves two open toneholes below it for better venting - though flutes with an F# key fitted (eg. Brossa F# key) close the uppermost RH main action pad on its own giving a fully vented F#.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-10-04 23:40
It's weird, but I've never had a clarinet that long Bb worked on, and long Eb was horribly out of tune and stuffy. Is there a reason why that would be? My clarinets were an old plastic Vito, a really old wooden Pan American, and now A and Bb 926 Imperials.
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-10-05 01:02
Ah. I see. Although, I do prefer my Imperials to several of my friend's clarinets, including a Yamaha 650. The Pan American was a piece of junk anyway- yard sale find.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2009-10-05 20:03
I've never found a clarinet where with proper adjustment the long Bb could not be made to provide a good note, it's a fingering that I wouldn't want to be without.
The long Eb isn't a properly tuned note on any clarinet but can be of use in very fast passages where the pitch passes too quickly to be a problem.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-10-05 22:18
Fortunately clarinets with the forked Eb/Bb mechanism fitted (with the ring for LH3 - standard 17/6 and 18/6 clarinets don't have it) the forked Eb is well tuned playing it as xox|ooo.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2009-10-06 14:42
Now have a second Buffet 1180 to service. It exhibits exactly the same foggy B/F# behaviour as the first, so I guess this is inherent in Buffet's design. Other Bass Clarinets I am familiar with do not have this problem. So, back to the original question- is there some kind of bore/tonehole work that can improve this????
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-10-06 14:45
Is the 1180 the non-Prestige bass? I'm not familliar with all the model numbers - I only know them by name.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2009-10-06 16:40
Yes, these two are the standard non-Prestige basses. Single register key, grenadilla wood, no frills. Any body have any ideas?? Or, must we accept this as poor design by the Buffet folks??
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