 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: RobN
Date: 2001-01-09 16:03
My son has been playing the B flat clarinet for about two years - started out with my old 30 year old Vito. Just this year, after he dropped the Vito he said it didn't sound right (repair shop was going to charge about 150.00 to overhaul it, which it probably needed).
Rather than doing that, we bought a Selmer CL300b (I think) made of Resonite for about 280.00 retail. Replaced the mouth piece on recomendation of band instructor. After about three months of playing, all of a sudden my son had a very difficult time playing the low notes, etc. Brought it to the repair shop and they adjusted the small screw on the top key, seemed to be ok but the screw came loose again. Brought it back, had screw retightened (I think they used wax or something else to keep it tightened), but my son still has a hard time playing notes that he used to be able to play with ease. The only way he can play the low notes is if he starts with the hight notes first and works his way down the scale.
Of course, we're thinking it's something our son is not doing to make it hard to play. What are some of the other things that could go wrong to cause this, or is this such an inexpensive clarinet that we should bring it back and get a better one?
BTW, the tonal quality on the old Vito is far superior to this Selmer.
Thanks for any help or suggestions.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-09 16:37
It sounds like one or more pads may be leaking. What is the lowest note that he can play directly without a problem? The technician should be checking pads in that area of the instrument. If the tech can't find the problem, go to a different technician.
To get a "better" clarinet means a substantial cost as you are talking about moving up to an intermediate or pro grade instrument. So unless you plan on a major investment, get one of these properly overhauled by a qualified technician. If he liked the Vito, go ahead and have it overhauled. Admittedly you will not get the money out of it if you sell it but you will get your money's worth as far as playing satisfaction.
Even if you do choose to upgrade to an intermediate or pro grade, most students participate in marching band so he should have a working plastic clarinet for that. You really shouldn't put the more expensive instruments at the risk of environment and the possibility of being dropped on hard surfaces like concrete and so on.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2001-01-09 16:38
i would try a couple of differant reeds and see if that makes a differance. Is the mp chiped.
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Author: Lori
Date: 2001-01-09 19:05
Many of my beginning students have a hard time covering all of the hole completely when playing low notes. This causes difficulty in playing lower notes because air is leaking out (there is not a tight seal). The situation with your son sounds like it might be this problem, specifically the way you describe the following:
"The only way he can play the low notes is if he starts with the hight notes first and works his way down the scale"
When he works his way down the scale, he has a chance to make sure each finger is properly placed (he knows this because the note is played successfully before he moves on to the next note). If he skips to a low note, one or more fingers may not be placed properly. It is a hard thing to detect as a player, because you think everything is covered just fine.
The best way to solve the problem is to have him practice playing scales down to the low notes in front of a mirror. It lets him see for himself whether this is occurring or not. Once he is sure his fingers are correct, then he should move on to practicing intervals in front of the mirror.
If this doesn't clear up the problem, I would look to the other suggestions that deal with fixing the clarinet.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-01-09 20:34
In addition to a pad having a small leak, another common problem may be with the lower joint rings being adjusted too high and thereby making it difficult for his fingers to completely cover those lower tone holes. A symptom of this problem is if one feels that they have to press "extra hard" with the right hand fingers for the sound to come out. The repair for this is to check the adjustment of the "jumper" mechanism between the upper and lower joints or make certain that the top pad on the lower joint (F#/B) is not too thick to allow the rings to properly be depresssed. Niether repair should be costly or require a $150.00 overhaul. Usually, a clarinet can be put in "playing condition" for around $35.00 to $60.00. Good luck.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-09 21:41
Lori wrote:
>
> Many of my beginning students have a hard time covering
> all of the hole completely when playing low notes. This causes
> difficulty in playing lower notes because air is leaking out
> (there is not a tight seal).
For this problem to develop after two years of playing would indicate however that it is more likely the instrument than the student. Remember that the son had not had this problem previously.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2001-01-09 22:21
Those old Vitos, outfitted with a good mouthpiece can sound just as good as some of the better wooden horns. Plus they are very durable. Sounds to me as if you may have a bad pad or bent key. I'd try a little extra grease in those cork tenons too as I've seen a minor leak there give me fits.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-01-10 08:47
On ALL student instruments common problems include pads closing at the back and not at then front, bridge key linkage out of adjustment, binding pivots, poorly operating throat A key spring, migrating key and linkage corks (because of substandard adhesive) so that linkages etc fail, etc, etc. Also high rings as mentioned. These are very common problems on brand new instruments. Get one instrument or the other serviced. And get a new technician. Engineers thread locking compounds do not fail on adjusting screws; If a tech has secured a screw correctly it will not move by itself.
In fix many of these types of problems on brand new pro instruments. NEVER assume that because an instrument is new it is in a perfect state.
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Author: RobN
Date: 2001-01-10 18:39
I forgot to mention that for the Selmer, it's actually a 1400b with a Premiere Hite mouthpiece (recommended). Usual reeds are Mitchell Lurie 2.5.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-01-11 00:27
RobN,
Me too.
I've got a really nice horn that I have only dropped once. It goes out of regulation about every six months of hard playing. Maybe it's humidity, or me playing with alot of "slap" on the keys, but it happens.
More dollars will not necessarily buy a horn without this problem.
Owning a clarinet is much like owning an Italian car, sooner or later you will know the names of the repairman's children.
As to covering all the holes, alignment of the upper and lower joint can make a difference to little hands. Learning a new way around the keys will also cause finger position to wander.
I think this is terrific, that you are actively listening to your son practice clarinet.
It takes "durable" hearing to be supportive in the formative years. Good on ya!
anji
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Author: RobN
Date: 2001-01-11 18:41
Thanks for all of your feedback.
I've had him pay more attention to the reeds, even soaking them for about 15 min. first, and paying more attention to his finger position on the lower notes. It actually has helped and solved the problems.
He took lessons last summer and I'm sure the instructor would have solved this for him, but during the school year the band instructors are too busy, I think, to help out each student.
I'm also going to have my old Vito looked at and get the pads replaced.
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