 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: stebinus2
Date: 2011-09-14 02:26
On an older wooden Signet Special these notes are kind of noticeably off. The pad on the brill cup below is fairly thin and the bridge key on the lower joint doesn't have any excess cork underneath. Are there any mechanical adjustments (as opposed to alternate fingerings) I can make to get these notes better in tune?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-09-14 02:56
This is a very good question. I'd first check in with a repairman. The reason for this is to save you a pile of money. See if some pads are bad and the keys are set right.
It could also be one or more of the following:
Leaking pads
Keys are out of adjustment
try different barrels
Mouthpiece choices
type of reeds- too soft or too hard.
the inside bore of the horn.
matching the mouthpiece with the correct barrel
be sure to check the 12th's, use a tuner
Once your setup seems ok, no leaks, adjusted well by the repairman have the repairman adjust the tone holes. They may ream out 1 or 2 or actually add a filler of choice. Perhaps even ream the inside bore. Reaming bores takes a lot of talent and knowledge by the repairman. Tapers medal ones, are almost always hand made for different types of horns, such as Buffet, Selmer or any of the other clarinet companies.
So be really careful here. The final cost could add up to several hundred bucks. At that stage it may be wise to make a switch to a new horn.
Let us know what the findings are. Good luck
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2011-09-14 02:57)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-09-14 03:37
I would not put a great deal of money into this clarinet. Take it to a repair tech,and see what he says. This model is not worth a great deal,so it might be more reasonable and economical to replace than to sink a lot of cash into repairs.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2011-09-14 04:10
Just one of many possibilities: How is the low C and the G 12th above? If those are flat too, maybe that key is too low, which would also cause the D/A key and ring (the key that is open for E/B) to be low, making the notes flat.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-09-14 11:58
The RH ring keys and C/G pad cup can be bent upwards to gain more venting (and this will also allow the LH2 ring key to open more as well for a clearer E), but let an experienced tech do this as they will have a feel for doing this and also getting all the rings lined up and sitting level (but not completely flush) with the tonehole chimneys.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2011-09-14 14:44
One possibility is that the Bb/Eb pad is set too low. This can be adjusted by bending that bridge key you mentioned. However, also check that your 1/1 Bb/Eb fingering is not affected--this can be the tricky part.
Another problem might be that there is gunk in the B/E tone hole that needs to be cleaned out. I would check for this first before trying anything else.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: stebinus2
Date: 2011-09-15 14:33
Adjustment of both bridge keys seems to have solved the problem. The Bb/Eb pad rises a little higher now but doesn't cause any playability problems and all the rings still seat nicely. Thanks to all.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
