 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2012-10-31 19:41
I've experienced some strange issues lately.
Sometimes throat G just won't speak and then when I'm playing "long" B and C, I hear bubbling sounds.
At first I thought this meant there was a crack but I've checked and there isn't and I have a 100 solid seal from the pads. Also the same symptoms are being presented on both my B and A and started at the same time.
Mouthpiece, maybe?
The only changes I've done recently. Changing the direction from which I swab my clarinets to barrel to bell. I recently switched from a cotton to a silk swab. I started using one of the new Vandoren Mouthpieces with building in humidity regulator (sponge).
I'm just perplexed and I'm trying to avoid a three hour trip to Sheyboygan or going out to NYC.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2012-10-31 23:11
Bubbly "long" B4 and C5 could be water in the register tube (perhaps left over from a previous session), but that wouldn't affect throat G4. How are the notes around G? E-F-F#-G#-A-Bb? How are "long" E3 and F3? Are any other notes having similar issues?
The surprising thing for me is that G is the only note that won't speak (if it is). Check the G# key - make sure the screw that takes up slack between it and the A key isn't in so far that G# can't close completely. I would expect a lot more chalumeau notes not to play if the G# key is open, but it's worth checking. If not that key, then while you're playing (or trying to play) G holding the clarinet up with your L thumb, use your RH to press on any closed keys in the area to see if pressing any of them closed resolves the balky G. Also look to make sure no piece of a torn pad or dirt or any kind is obstructing the open hole under the A key that is covered when you put down LH 1st finger.
You can rule mouthpiece problems in or out by swapping another mouthpiece into the system or by playing your mouthpiece on a different clarinet.
Karl
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2012-11-01 00:54
This swabbing conversation is always funny, and the reasons people come up with for doing one or the other more so.
However, this is why I swab the other way... Turning the clarinet upside down and letting the moisture run into all the tone holes (perhaps also the register tube) does not make sense to me.
Silly question, but have you tried not doing this for a few days and seeing if it fixes it?
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-11-01 13:47
If the G is wonky, perhaps it's an issue of something NOT openning up properly.... such as the vent under your 'A' key (this would be caused by the posts settling too close to one another - just slightly foreshorten that key with a little filing).
................Paul Aviles
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-11-01 15:54
When throat G doesn't come out, imediately change nothing (i.e. don't move anything you don't have to) and just move to other notes in the area like F#, G# and others. Do they respond ok? If they do, again change nothing and try the G again, does it come out now?
Re the bubbling in the B and C, it is very common from water in the regsiter tube.
Re the direction of swabbing...
>> This swabbing conversation is always funny, and the reasons people come up with for doing one or the other more so. <<
Maybe it is but IMO there is a very good reason to swab from top to bottom. If you get the swab stuck, it is much easier to pull it back out from the top. 99% of people who bring me stuck swabs to remove swabbed from the bottom (and it is not a problem of a wrong swab, as any half decent swab can get stuck, as unlikely as that is).
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-11-01 17:01
Well you may have 2 issues here, as a general repairman. I would take the 2 throat keys off and clean the holes with one of those cotton ear swabs, whatever they are called. Get the Q-tips only, because other brands can scratch the holes, because they aren't 100 percent cotton.
This could take care of your throat noise.
However, my feeling is you have a bad pad that has ripped, causing the vibration sounding of the bubbling. Often you can't even see it unless you take the keys off. By the way you can still get a very tight seal with a torn pad. Most of the time when I've repaired horns the torn pad is small and when buzzing the tear is in the middle of the pad, not the side of the pads, thus the reason for a tight seal.
If you wish, send it to me overnight and I will fix it at no charge and then ship it back the following day, also overnight. So you will have your horn back in 2 days.
Best of luck. If you already got it fixed let us know what the problem was.
Best of luck.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2012-11-01 19:15)
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2012-11-01 17:47
All of the above are possible problems. However, I have seen similar symptoms turn up on instruments that are not carefully assembled. If you allow your fingers to go over the trill keys when you assemble the upper and lower joints, the top trill keys can develop side play that will cause the symptoms you describe on an intermittent basis. If the trill keys are in the correct positions, the instrument will work fine and test as having no leaks. If they are just slightly to the side from their normal position, they can give the results you describe. Check for side play in your top trill keys. If there is any, get them swedged and then hold the top joint by the finger holes when assembling.
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2012-11-01 19:44
I've done what was suggested. I cannot figure it out. Time to head to Sheyboygan to see Scott Winkler. Just for the record, there should be a Chicago to Sheyboygan express bus!
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