 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ClarinetRebecca
Date: 2012-11-24 20:43
Hello all.
So just yesterday, my new wooden clarinet came in the mail. It's a 1959 R 13 Buffet, in great condition and had just been overhauled. I have been playing for a total of 5 years, and am in my high school's Symphonic Band as a freshman. After seeing that others had higher quality instruments, I upgraded from a Yamaha Student 250 model, to a Buffet. I had sent the link of the instrument to my band director who said to purchase it.
I have never had experience with any other type of clarinet, and when it arrived, I waited for it to warm up. After waiting awhile, I played it for maybe 5 minutes, and I could not get ANY high notes to come out. Then I did my research and found that I have to break it in, and since it was a professional clarinet, it needed a bit more attention and air to play. Anyways, today I played it for 15 minutes in the morning and it sounded a lot better, and then again right now for 15 minutes (I read somewhere on here to play it 2 times a day for 15 minutes). It does sound A LOT better. However, I can not hear a difference in that from my Yamaha - I don't think I have trained my ears to listen for it. I do notice it is more challenging to play (I am up for the challenge), heavier, and it requires more air. I notice it does have a more full and mellow sound, but is that all? Also, with my Yamaha I hear a weird metallicy staticy sound that is very prominent whenever I play my 4 finger 'C', though it has been there awhile and people at the shop say nothing is wrong. . . I notice a slight metallicy sound (not as prominent, but I hear it) with the Buffet at times, and wonder if it is normal, or it just needs time to warm up. If so, about how long should I let it warm up? Should I store it with the case open or closed? My mom who played piano and violin and was musical in her high school experience said that she couldn't hear a slight metallicy sound with my Buffet, and said I was being neurotic. Anyways, have you ever heard a slight metallicy sound? I am sorry for all the questions, this is just very new to me and I don't want things to go wrong, and I want to know whether or not to keep it or return it since I have a 14 money back guarantee thing. I am happy with it but am curious about that sound, and will I sound better as I practice on it more and get a feel for it? I pounced on getting it because my director said it was form the 'Golden Years' of the instruments. I would love it if you guys could give me suggestions, ideas, answers to my questions, or even ask me questions to get a better idea.
Thank you!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-11-24 21:00
A metallic sound only on certain notes can often mean the top joint side and trill keys may be touching somewhere along their lengths. This can be checked by running a piece of paper down the gaps between them and you'll feel resistance where they're touching.
A pro level clarinet shouldn't be more resistant or a struggle to play if it has been repadded so there aren't any leaks, but some instruments that are completely airtight can be resistant compared to some that leaklike a sieve. I noticed this with Uebel basset horns which were very resistant even though the ventings were good and the joints were airtight compared to my leaky old narrow bore ring key Selmer basset horn which wiped the floor with the Uebels.
If you are finding it to be a challenge, get the joints vacuum or pressure tested to be sure there aren't any leaks. If the repairer mentions doing a smoke test, then walk away as you don't want your clarinet stinking like an ash tray.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ClarinetRebecca
Date: 2012-11-24 21:07
Chris P wrote:
> A metallic sound only on certain notes can often mean the top
> joint side and trill keys may be touching somewhere along their
> lengths. This can be checked by running a piece of paper down
> the gaps between them and you'll feel resistance where they're
> touching.
>
> A pro level clarinet shouldn't be more resistant or a struggle
> to play if it has been repadded so there aren't any leaks, but
> some instruments that are completely airtight can be resistant
> compared to some that leaklike a sieve. I noticed this with
> Uebel basset horns which were very resistant even though the
> ventings were good and the joints were airtight compared to my
> leaky old narrow bore ring key Selmer basset horn which wiped
> the floor with the Uebels.
>
> If you are finding it to be a challenge, get the joints vacuum
> or pressure tested to be sure there aren't any leaks. If the
> repairer mentions doing a smoke test, then walk away as you
> don't want your clarinet stinking like an ash tray.
>
Thank you, and I will double check the trill keys the next time I play - When that sound does occur, I often just take the top joint apart from the bottom, then fix it again and the sound goes away and then after some time playing, progresses back again.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-11-24 22:43
Try rotating the upper and lower joints slightly, just a few degrees, at the centre tenon. Try it both ways, play in each position and see if it makes a difference. If it does then you should get the bridging linkage checked/adjusted.
Tony F.
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Author: ClarinetRebecca
Date: 2012-11-24 22:49
Tony F wrote:
> Try rotating the upper and lower joints slightly, just a few
> degrees, at the centre tenon. Try it both ways, play in each
> position and see if it makes a difference. If it does then you
> should get the bridging linkage checked/adjusted.
>
I will try that out next time I play which will be tomorrow, thanks!
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2012-11-24 23:07
You say it's a 1959 instrument, recently overhauled. In that case it does not
need to be broken in, unless it has been sitting in a closet for the last 50+ years.
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Author: ClarinetRebecca
Date: 2012-11-24 23:13
Bennett wrote:
> You say it's a 1959 instrument, recently overhauled. In that
> case it does not
> need to be broken in, unless it has been sitting in a closet
> for the last 50+ years.
I was told it was in good playing condition, with no clue of its past, though I am sure it was played recently.
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2012-11-26 00:48
I own three clarinets and two of them are an R13 and a custom Yamaha. The Buffet is definitely not harsh or metalic. The Yamaha is more consistent and the Buffet is louder and rounder and is less resistant.
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2012-11-26 02:16
Get your band director or a clarinet teacher to play it and assess the instrument's strengths or weaknesses.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-11-26 04:59
Band director?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2012-11-26 07:05
What if the band director plays the trombone or tuba?
Peter Cigleris
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Author: FDF
Date: 2012-11-26 23:29
Perhaps the setup you had for your last clarinet doesn't work as well on your new one. The mouthpiece and reed might need changing. However, given all the the variances that could be the cause of the trouble, if your clarinet doesn't respond better to your playing, you might be better off sending it back and waiting for another. Don't waste both your time and your money hoping that what you have is better. Also, don't blame your teacher if your purchase looked good on paper or online, but doesn't live up to it's reputation. Stuff happens.
Good luck.
Forest
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Author: hans
Date: 2012-11-27 00:24
A 50+ year old clarinet does not need to be broken in, although it is prudent to play it in short instalments for a while, as you are doing, until the wood's humidity has stabilized.
To compare it to your old clarinet, you will need to use the same mouthpiece and reed on both instruments. You should definitely get it tested by an experienced player, and if there is a repair shop near you, have them look it over too because that "metallic" sound needs to be identified.
Be aware that a wood clarinet will need more maintenance than a plastic one; e.g., oiling the bore when it looks dry.
After rotating the bridge joint, check to make sure that the pads on both keyed sections of the clarinet are still closing completely so that there is no leak. The bridge should be adjusted so that the bridge mechanism from both sections lines up and no pads are prevented from closing properly.
Hans
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Author: ClarinetRebecca
Date: 2012-11-27 00:49
Thank you all, and yes, I am going to get my band director to assess the instrument. It seems to be playing just fine for me now, and I do notice a tone difference, it being the tone, weight, and louder. I use my favorite mouthpiece for it, and my favorite reeds just as I did for my Yamaha and it seems to be working well.
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