 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2012-03-02 13:22
I was supposed to record Scene and Air by Bergson on Sunday and while practicing this morning I ran into a problem.
My left pinky C# key is sluggish lifting back up and I dont know why. I depressed the pad cup thinking th pad was sticky, but it came back up fine. its just when I depress the left pinky key. I loosend screws, tightened screws tried to see the mechanisms that move to put some oil - but i really dont know where to put oil or if that will solve the problem.
i think i'm going to have to cancel the recording :(
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-03-02 13:33
The two left little finger keys (F#/C# and B/E) may be rubbing against each other, either above or below the axles, or possibly where they "turn the corner" at the bottoms.
If your clarinet is a Buffet, the pin at the bottom of the F#/C# key may have broken. (It's plastic.) The pin often has goldbeater's skin wrapped around it to stolo noise. This may have gotten bunched up.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2012-03-02 13:39
Ken - it is a buffet (less than a year old) i will have to check that out when i get home from work. thanks!
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-03-03 05:12
Check that the point screw in the post adjacent to the C# actuating arm has not worked loose. If it has it might be binding on the arm.
Tony F.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-03-03 06:13
>> My left pinky C# key is sluggish lifting back up and I dont know why. I depressed the pad cup thinking th pad was sticky, but it came back up fine. <<
This is not completely clear. Is it actually the F#/C# key or lever that is sluggish? You say the left pinky F#/C# lever is sluggish to lift back up, but this key has the pad closing by the spring, so it can't be a sticky pad, since the sluggishness is when the key pad is being closed.
Can you clarify if you meant that the key pinky lever (and key) feel sluggish when you leave the pinky lever, but not if you operate the key by lifting the pad and letting go of it? If this is correct, it is possible that lifting and letting go of the actual key cup makes you let go of it in a more sudden way, overcoming the friction problem.
Also notice that with some fingerings the F#/C# key will move alone, while for others it will also operate the F/C key with it. For example playing G-F#-G and F-Gb-F, respectively (or D-C#-D and C-Db-C in the upper register). Check both using the left pinky lever and see if one or both situations have the problem. Then it's worth checking the same thing using the right hand pinky F#/C# key.
Depending on the reason for the problem, it might happen in some situations and not others. For example maybe the spring of the F/C key helps it ocervome the friction if it springs back with it. Maybe it's friction between the F#/C# key and the crow's foot that doesn't happen when they spring back together. It could be one of the many issues already mentioned, like the pin, rubbing of the lever or key against something else, etc.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2012-03-03 23:40
It was actually the left pinky C key - not C#. sorry.
Turns out I was selling an old Vito clarinet and the buyer happened to be a clarinet teacher. I told him if he could fix my clarinet he could have the Vito. And he fixed it.
I dont know how to explain - but he took the key off and right where the 2 pieces join together (where the screw goes) was worn out on one side. he used light sand paper to make both sides even, oiled the screw and that did it. He had to try several times before it had smooth action again.
so the recording is on for tomorrow and he got a free clarinet.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-03-04 00:38
There are two posts (which the screws go through) at the top and bottom of the long left F/C key. These sometimes come loose and twist, binding on the long key. Make sure your's are positioned properly and that you can't twist them with your fingers. If one of them does twist, it will cause the uneven wear you describe. The cure is to file a tiny nick at the side of the post and drive in a little metal wedge that locks the post in place.
The conical holes at the ends of the key may become oval. The solution is to fill the hole and drill a new one straight in. This will also involve replacing the screw, or at least reshaping it.
Ken Shaw
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