 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: mvjohnso
Date: 2012-04-24 06:07
Was playing today and realized that my F#/C# is too heavy. Especially the left hand one. Anyone else have this problem/ solved it. I was thinking of taking chunks of metal out of the key to lighten it up but not sure if this will work. Tried adjusting spring tensions to no avail and the horn is properly oiled.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-04-24 06:40
Carefully examine the linkage operated by the key. You may find a mechanical bind, or a loose point screw rubbing against the linkage. There are lots of possibilities before you start carving lumps off the keys.
Tony F.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-04-24 06:49
This is common and especially on models where the F#/C# spring attaches to the key and slides against the wood cut out. Are you sure you did all that is possible with the spring? You can even try a smaller diameter spring, or a different material and diameter spring (depending on what you have now), or different length (if it's the type mentioned).
It's also possible you have binding somewhere. It can be anywhere, the lever hinge on its rod screw or between posts, same for the key hinge on its pivot screws (what it usually has, but coudl be a rod screw too), or the linkage between them. It could also be part of a key rubbing against another part.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-04-24 09:47
Really isolate the key FIRST. Take the left pinky lever off first then hold down the right pinky C. At least this way you will KNOW if it is the C# key itself. Also this particular spring tension should be left just a little more firm (more so than the C key by itself anyway).
If it is just THE C# key itself, first see if backing out the pivots on either side (both sides) allows easy movement. If so..... you may leave the pivots less tightened (or you can tie some thread around the head of one or both so they can tighten in place without binding the key.
IF the key IS NOT the problem it may have been the lever you just removed (less likely). Sometimes if this is the mortise tenon style LH key, the packing material can bind........for this I leave it out until a tech can replace with a teflon pin.
IF the C# key itself is actually binding, the best thing is to slightly remove some material off either end of the key with a light file (metal nail file) making sure you check every swipe or so, and clean the gunk out of where the pivot needs to go back in.
................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-04-24 11:07
Play bass clarinet (or better yet, bari sax) for a couple of weeks to strengthen your finger muscles. You'll develop biceps on your pinkies and the soprano clarinet will start to feel like a featherweight toy.
I'm only half kidding.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-04-24 12:30
>> IF the C# key itself is actually binding, the best thing is to slightly remove some material off either end of the key <<
Only if it is binding because it is too long to fit between the posts. It could bind this way if one of the posts is not aligned or a pivot screw pushes too much into the key. In those cases it is better not to file part of the key.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-04-24 12:52
If the spring tension is too heavy on the F#/C# key, you can only lighten it up so much before you begin to encounter problems with it. If you make it too light, you risk the pad rebounding against the tonehole when you release it while the F/C (or E/B) key is held down.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-04-24 13:24
Chris,
I also find that with this key and the Eb/Ab if there is too little tension those pads blow open when you play (slightly) making the whole bottom of the clarinet less resonant.
................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mvjohnso
Date: 2012-04-24 22:40
Thanx all:
I had the C key a bit too heavy so that mostly fixed it. There was no binding and I did lighten up the spring a bit more. As to the suggestion of playing bass clarinet I already do (along with contra and some clunky vintage saxes), so I get where your coming from (I actually didn't really think it was a problem until someone pointed out that my action was a bit off on those notes.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
