 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Simon
Date: 2010-04-07 02:22
Couple of months ago I took my clarinet Leblonc LX (18 years old) to the tech for what I though it nededa 1 pad replacement. Apart from that pad the clarinet was fine and played really well, nice soft keys etc. Anyway it turned out that the clarinet required 9 pads to be replaced because a bug had actualy desroyed the other 8 pads (refer previous post). No problems with that, I was happy to pay the cost of the repair. However ever since the repair I have been experiencing problems with playing D, E and F in the middle register. It is worse when going up from E to F. The way I can describe it is that F sounds very stuffy and flat and is very dificult to produce the same volume in comparison to the other notes. I am also getiing alot of squicks, which I never did before. Also the keys are alot more firmer, I prefer softer keys.
I took the clarinet back and the problem is still there and I am very frustrated because at the time of the repair I bought me self an Eddy Daniels ligiture and was really looking forward to playng this instrument again.
Whilst the tech has made some finer adjustments she tells me that it has to do with the fact that there are now two sets of pads if you like, 9 new pads and the rest are old and not much more can be done.
I desperately need some advice, I hope that there is something that can be done. I reside 80 kms south of Sydney Australia, the tech shop by the way is in Sydney.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2010-04-07 02:49
The bridge key is not aligned when you assemble the clarinet.
This is the best I could find... Look from 1.33 on this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6BoguwZhgE
The way you align the upper and lower joints is what is causing this problem. To describe it the best I can- (looking from the top of the clarinet) hold the lower and twist the upper joint a few degrees counter-clockwise.
This should correct this problem.
The reason that this is happening is that this connection needs to be exact because there is a cork under the key that is an exact thickness for regulation. It is very possible that, before the clarinet was repaired, the cork was missing, and you didn't notice it.
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Author: jasperbay
Date: 2010-04-07 03:46
Skygardener may have it right. Check also for two other things: (a) a pad thats not sitting level (leaking air)on the tonehole rim (check for an even indent ring on the pads near the problem notes), or (b) one of the ring-controlled pads may just be too thick, causing the ring keys to seem 'stiffer', because you have to press the rings harder to get a good seal on the ring-holes. (I don't see why a tech would stiffen key springs when replacing a few pads, without asking you anyway) Might be the same pad causing either problem, but don't bet on it. Pads can be leveled and/or seated a little deeper by applying heat and gentle pressure on the cup. Low wattage soldering iron or butane lighter will work for the heat source in a pinch.
Clark G. Sherwood
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2010-04-07 05:08
Just because somebody works in a repair shop doesn't mean they know what they are doing. I would suggest finding another shop. If there's a college around ask the clarinet teacher in the music depart who they might suggest. Local band directors are a good source for a referral.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-04-07 05:33
If by "middle register" you mean the D, E & F at the higher part of the staff, then skygardener's suggestion is possible. It's possible you are not aligning it right but maybe more likely the repairer didn't adjust it correctly. If you are not aligning it correctly then the repairer would probably notice this when you are demonstrating the problem or when they try to play the clarinet (which I assume they can do). A clarinet shouldn't have more problems after being repaired, maybe try a different repairer.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2010-04-07 12:11
It sometimes amazes me how many repair people don't seem to play test the instruments they work on before returning them to their customers. The most important criterion for repair work is - how does the instrument play after the repair is finished? If it plays better, all is probably well. If it plays worse, the repair person clearly has missed something important.
Mixing pads shouldn't cause this kind of problem. As has already been suggested, a misaligned bridge key might, since it can keep the right hand keys from closing completely. Or one of the new pads may be thinner than the old one and not completely close when the ring that moves it is all the way down. But the real point is that the repair tech should have caught the problem herself and looked more deeply into it to find the cause. Blaming it on mixing old pads and new ones is just lazy (or worse).
Karl
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-04-07 14:30
Try doing this to see if it is a problem with the bridge keys not being coordinated correctly. If there's to much cork on the bottom part it will prevent the ring keys from covering without pressing hard. So do this, put the clarinet together but do not align the bridge keys at all. Obviously the bottom joint will not be straight with the top joint. Try to play this way and see if the bottom half feels easier to cover the right hand. If it is it means there's too much cork on the bridge key on the lower half. Another way to test if you're not comfortable doing that is using a small sliver of pad paper or cigarette and place it under the first pad in the lower joint when the clarinet is put together properly and gently tug at it when gently pressing the first lower ring key, F/Bb key. If it comes out too easy it means that pad is not covering unless you press hard meaning the same thing as I stated above. The bridge key has to be perfect or either the lower half will not cover without pressing hard or the 1/1 fingering for Bb/Eb won't work (to much space between the bridge keys, the opposite problem you're experiencing). ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2010-04-07 17:04
"Whilst the tech has made some finer adjustments she tells me that it has to do with the fact that there are now two sets of pads if you like, 9 new pads and the rest are old and not much more can be done."
Although it may occasionally be true of the G#/F# pads on a sax, it is totally untrue of a clarinet, and puts up a flag, "I don't know what I am doing." With that sort of excuse, the problem could be anything already mentioned, and possibly more, such as sloppy pivots, squishy linkage material, ring keys far too high (from too-thick pads) etc.
I suggest you give up on that technician. If you're stuck, send it to me in Auckland. I'll give you a full report and in this case correct it for max of 25% what she charged you, what ever that was, + freight, with a 3 day max turn around. (No precedent here. I'm just feeling generous.)
Gordon Palmer, Woodwind Repair Speciacalist.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-04-07 17:50
If it were a problem with mismatched pads, most of Tom Ridenour's clarinets would never play, as he uses a mix of skin, synthetic cork and synthetic pads on his Lyrique 576 clarinets. I don't have a problem with my clarinet playing!
It is more likely that she did not check that the pads were sealing the toneholes properly, or that there is a problem with the bridge.
Jeff
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2010-04-08 01:33
the newer pads may sit higher/lower than the old. In which case the tech did not compensate for that in either a bridge key adjustment (simple and common) or in other areas. more than likely, even if you have the bridge key lined up perfect to your eye, the pad in the cup above the F ring is so thick that is causing the pads on the upper joint to remain slightly open. if you're confident in your abilities you could try slightly bending the upper portion of the bridge key upwards (towards the side trill keys) and trying again. to test, try and play an F or E with the lightest pressure possible. if it speaks clearly the bridge is in good adjustment.
____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"
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