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air flow problem

Author: Tony M
Date: 2012-09-03 00:43

I have a problem that I was hoping to gather some advice about.

I had my Vito 7212 serviced recently and everything was fine. Then I made the mistake of leaving it on the stand, fully assembled, for a few days. Now when I play it , it requires that I play it with a very specific angle in my mouth (quite high, approaching a saxophone embouchure) or the air flow just stops and it won't play.

I can't get the time to take it back to the tech and I suspect that moisture that should have been cleaned out at the time when it should have been put away in its case has clogged something up but I'm asking to draw on your experience.

I've tried different mouthpieces so that is not the problem but I'm quite inexperienced with the technical side of the instrument.

I hope you can help, thanks.

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Re: air flow problem

Author: kdk
Date: 2012-09-03 01:11

The first thing that comes into my head is that the spring on the G# key has come out of its hook and the key is opening when you hold the clarinet in a normal vertical position. When you lift the clarinet gravity could be pulling the pad closed.

Could anything have become lodged in the barrel (since you've tried switching mouthpieces)? Something small might be able to settle across the bore, blocking it when the instrument is vertical but then flip parallel to the walls when the clarinet is raised more.

Does the sound stop regardless of register, or does it only happen in the clarion or the chalumeau notes? Water in the register tube could cause a problem in the clarion register, but the pad is closed below throat Bb.

Do you know how to test the instrument for leaks by closing the holes in each section with one hand and closing off the end with the other, then trying to suck the air out of the section to create a vacuum?

Karl

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Re: air flow problem

Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2012-09-03 01:13

This is not the answer you were looking for. I think you have a mouse in your clarinet bore that is hanging on for dear life when the clarinet is vertical and then relaxes and flattens out when you play it horizontally, thus allowing the hot or cool supported airstream to go past. Just picture the poor thing: gripping the sides of the clarinet bore with an agonized look on its face and shaking legs. But when you play horizontally, ahhhhh, relief. Yes, I think that must be the problem.

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Re: air flow problem

Author: Tony M
Date: 2012-09-03 01:47

Karl, thank you. I will check those things when I get home tonight. I'm fairly sure the barrel is clear but I will check as you say. I've never checked for leaks as you say but I have read about it and will try.

John, thank you too. I'll ask the mouse if he sees anything untoward in there after I have played. If he doesn't then I will feed him and then ask him to examine my alto sax. He might even be able to give me some constructive criticism of my tone. If not, I'll ask the frog in my throat.

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