The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Alto Clarinet squeaking problem

Author: eaglgenes101
Date: 2013-03-22 04:03

I'm a good clarinet player (though I have small problems quickly jumping between registers, if that helps anyone). I recently started trying out an alto clarinet, and while I figured out most of it within about a week, I still have a problem with it. Sometimes, notes start off with a squeak that lasts for something like 1/6 of a second before stabilizing on the desired tone. No one embouchure can stop this problem for all notes. Either it is the High e flat / e / f group or the low d / e flat / e / f group (or occasionally one of the notes around them). Long squeaks are rare, but they do happen. All other notes almost never squeak.

And about the alto clarinet: It's an old Evette+Schaeffer Buffet alto clarinet I got from E-bay. I recently had minor repairs (recorking a joint and the low e flat key, and gluing the throat b flat pad back where it should), but the repair guy said it was in good condition (though it'll need a repadding in about 6 months or so).

Reply To Message

Re: Alto Clarinet squeaking problem

Author: Nessie1
Date: 2013-03-22 13:13

Hi,

I too recently battled with squeaks on alto clarinet and what I found out eventually was that it was that little *@?! of a pin hole through the top left hand finger plate - fail to cover that and you wll squeak for fairly obvious reasons. Spend a little time doing simple scale exercises etc concentrating on covering that hole which on my instrument (an fairly elderly Bundy) is somewhat towards the top of the key and see if this solves the problem.

You can even experiment to see what happens by trying covered/uncovered on some long notes.

Hope this helps

Good luck

Vanessa

Reply To Message

Re: Alto Clarinet squeaking problem

Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2013-03-22 18:17

Also have the instrument checked over for leaky pads.

Jeff

“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010

"A drummer is a musician's best friend."

Reply To Message

Avail. Forums | Threaded View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

The Clarinet Pages

For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.