 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Tony
Date: 2001-01-11 01:56
why does my B flat sound like crap compared to all the other notes???? is there anything that can help? (using register + a key)
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Author: Benny
Date: 2001-01-11 02:02
The Bb is not a very pretty note in most cases. I always take mine on the right
(third side key from the bottom) unless the Bb is in a fast run or impossible to take on the right. Also, cover your C and D holes for Bb and A. This makes them sound better.
Benny
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-11 02:20
The register key location is a compromise. The size and location needed for an ideal throat Bb results in very poor register to register tuning and difficulties in even getting the middle and higher registers to speak well. The size and location needed for use as a really good register key results in a very poor throat Bb. Every manufacturer selects their own compromise. Some favor the sound of the Bb note while others favor the register requirements.
Here are some things that will help.
1. Keep the register keyhole absolutely clean. It is already too small for use in playing throat Bb and even undetectable build ups will make it sound even worse.
2. Use the A + side key already mentioned when it is a slow, exposed passage.
3. If you need to use the A+register key, experiment with having some fingers of the right hand down.
4. In fast passages, don't even worry about it.
5. Really good breath support and embouchure control help this note.
6. Good reeds help this note
7. Good mouthpieces help this note.
Especially check out item 1 on this list. It is amazing how fast gunk can build up in the register tube. Most people find a noticeable improvement when they clean it.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-01-11 06:17
Other info.
1)Roger Galper invented a register key to improve throat B flat tone.
I think some of the people here in BBS use that devices.
There were other ideas to improve this tone somewhere in Klarinet archive.
I remember two but am uncertain.
2)Change register tube from cylindrical to reverse conical.
I forgot the reason.
3)Make a reverse conical hole on the register cork to ease air dispersing.
But the hole shape is somewhat like cone without summit to asure stable
sitting.
By the way, to clean the register hole, I thought it may be an idea to use lense air
cleaner(made of rubber you know) after removing the key itself.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-01-11 06:56
Please refer to Gordon(NZ)'s post under PADS questioned by John Gibson.
That is what I tried to imply in my last post.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2001-01-11 10:12
Make sure the register key and the a/g# key are opening far enough. If they are too close the sound will be airy/ fluffy otherwise practise like hell.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-01-11 12:42
The Bb tone hole placement was designed by committee.
I use the Avrahm Galper R-13 vent replacement and it really helps, no kidding.
For a cheaper way 'round use the top trill key on the right hand when you can reach it (I sure can't play it fast) and it should clear up that "sinus headcold" stuffiness right away.
Seriously, for $150, the drop in vent from AG really helped.
anji
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Author: Robin
Date: 2001-01-11 13:17
I actually find the alternative fingering proposed above less satisfactory than a well vented B flat. I use fingers from both hands, and it's really not a great hassle- even in fast passages - when one gets used to it. Another advantage is that you have finger prepared for if you wish to jump the break.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-01-11 13:42
Tony -
Everyone has to deal with the dull throat Bb. If you have time, and long enough fingers, use the next-to-top side key.
The best "resonance" fingering I have found for the standard (register key) throat Bb is to put down both ring fingers and the low F key.
On the Online Clarinet Resource side of Sneezy, there's an excellent interview with the well known teacher Sidney Forrest by James Gholson, the clarinet prof at Memphis State University, http://www.ocr.sneezy.org/articles/gholson1.html. Forrest advised against using any special fingerings, and just blowing harder. As Anthony Gigliotti says, BTSOOI (Blow The S**t Out Of It).
If it drives you nuts, Steve Fox does custom alterations. He can install an auxiliary vent (a variation on the Stubbins SK mechanism), which he puts on his own instruments. This gives an excellent Bb. See my description at http://www.sneezy.org/Databases/Logs/2000/12/001211.txt. His e-mail address is 104022.3105@compuserve.com, and his web site is at http://www.sfoxclarinets.com/. He's out of town until February, though.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-01-11 19:09
A well-discussed subject, "Search the Phorum" for the near-past thread-posts.The two major patents to improve our poor Bb's are Stubbins, US 2,508,550 and Galper 5,241,890. The Stubbins and Mazzeo [using the A + 3rd trill key] are well discussed by Brymer [and others?] for their pros/cons. I have one of each and agree w: Jack B. On my LeBlanc L7, which has a VG "pinch" Bb , I suspect it is an early "Galper" vent. I should think the later pro LeB's [and other pro makes] should be equally good. In my experience re: "student" clarinets, I believe very little attention is paid to [what I consider] the #1 criterion in the choice of a clar. A close #2 choice is the C#/G# !! I'll make a patent search on Reg. Vent to see if any new ideas [beyond the more-badly-needed-on-bass-cl] have come about recently and report here. Keep trying! Don
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-01-11 23:41
Register key elevation:
Too much elevation may improve throat tones, but it seems to have a bottleneck to worsen the middlebreak and strange subtones during playing middle register scale.
Tony Pay recommended somewhere 0.65mm and Tom Ridenour 1.2mm in
Klarinet mailing list. I remember(You can search Archive). In this case some countermeasures would be necessary such as special gears(Stubbin, Galper) and hemisperically concaved cork pad etc.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-12 00:01
Hiroshi wrote:
>
> Galper invented a register key to improve throat B flat
> tone.
>
Just a quick note that the Galper key is designed for the Buffet R-13 clarinet. If one plays a clarinet with a different location/size of register key, the Galper will not be appropriate for your horn.
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Author: PAM
Date: 2001-01-12 06:40
I was a student of Sidney Forrest at Interlochen. He made me play Bb's with no fingers down at all. We would spend half the lesson just playing that note over and over again until it started sounding good. I still have a bunch of exercises he wrote in my notebook concentrating on Bb. Eventually my Bb pretty much matched my other notes. It's just mind over matter, and blowing like crazy, of course!
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-12 21:45
... and no doubt your kids just like mine do me.
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Author: Ken
Date: 2001-01-12 23:38
Please don't mention the word "throat" in the same thread when referring to kids...
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-01-14 14:19
Hemisperically convexed cork pad works wonders. Or more like a frustum (decapitated cone). I can draw it even: _/ . (The bottom is the same diameter as the OD of the tone hole insert) Try it! (Not THAT sort of OD, Dave!)
Hiroshi is that what you meant when you wrote "hemisperically concaved cork pad" . or did you mean ^/ (sort of)?
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Author: Katie
Date: 2001-01-14 15:39
I know that the throat Bflat is a dreaded note. However, it is necessary to try to use it, (it's normal fingering), and to make it sound good. My teacher insists on it.
First, uses lots of fast, supported air. iF you are not supporting the note, you will not get a good response. Second, use resonance fingerings. I use the third finger in the left hand( not actually, the third finger, but the third finger that covers the third key hole, which is actually the fourth finger).
IN the right hand, I use the right index finger(1), and the fourth finger(3).
Hope this helps. You cannot avoid this note, so you mine as well learn how to play it so it matches the surrounding pitches as best as you can.
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