 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Heather587
Date: 2013-07-03 19:38
Hi-
So for the past couple of weeks I have been noticing that whenever I play 3 finger G or any notes above that, even 7 finger C that the sound that comes out it sounds like there is fast pace waves. The sound is extremely wavy and fast and I am just wondering what is wrong if it is a minor or major problem
I have tried cleaning my mouthpiece, changing the reed and making sure that all the keys and pads are working. Nothing seems wrong. It is about a year and a month old Buffet R13 and has been kept in good condition and has not needed a repair and was bought brand new. If you have any suggestion that would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!:)
Post Edited (2013-07-03 19:48)
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-07-03 20:09
I've experienced this in the low register of a sax that has leaky pads, but not in the upper register of a clarinet. It sounds like the instrument is jumping between the 2nd harmonic (3rd partial) which is what the clarion notes (long B4 to thimb C6) are, and something higher because something is making the air column unstable. The question is why it isn't also affecting the low (chalumeau) notes. You should probably have a good repairman look for any air leaks around any of the small pads in the upper section of the clarinet.
A couple of questions for clarity:
Is "3 finger G" the one written just above the top line of the staff (called G5 - check the chart to the right of The Clarinet BBoard at the top of this page)?
Is "7 finger C" the one written in third space from the bottom - C5 on the chart?
Does the waviness get worse or better as you go down from G5 toward C5? Does it get worse or better as you go up from G5? Is G5 the worst case?
Does the waviness occur when you play B4 - with all your fingers down?
My first thought was a torn pad skin waving around in the breeze, but probably not if it happens with all your fingers down - the pad would need to be open for a loose skin to cause a vibration. If it's a closed but leaky pad it would need to be up above right hand 3rd finger.
Make sure, too that there's no water or dirt blocking the register tube. That can cause a kind of gurgling sound when the register key is open.
Karl
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-07-03 20:24
Well let's try and narrow down the problem to understand it better.
When you say 3 finger G, I assume the "G" sitting on the staff. But then you refer to 7 note C, which sounds to me like you refer to the "C" on the third space.
Do you mean your odd sound is present on pretty much ALL the clarion notes, but particularly those above the staff?
Just shooting in the dark, I'd say there is some leak (or possible occlusion). If the pad between LH 1st and 2nd fingers is not coming down all the way (a LOW adjusted ring) this might cause fuzziness. Or the adjustment screw at the top of your G# key is screwed down to far, keeping the G# key slightly open all the time (you should strive to have just a bit of play between the "A" key and the "G#" key here). Or maybe there is gunk caught in the register tube (remove octave key and make sure there is nothing built up there).
It is also quite helpful to execute a leak test to make sure the pads are all sealing well. Just stop up one end of one joint with one hand and place the fingers of the other hand on the open holes. Now place mouth on the opened end of the joint and draw air in.......this should create suction (much like what would happen if you did this maneuver on a coke bottle). It should hold that suction pretty well for at least a few seconds and make popping sound (when released at mouth end). If the joint does NOT hold suction at all, there is a leak that needs to be remedied.
Honestly though, the description is not clear enough to make a judgement.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Heather587
Date: 2013-07-03 21:31
Thank you. The wavy sound is definitely more prominent with notes using only the left hand I know that I have had leaking problems in the past with the alt. F# key on the back side of the clarinet and that the pad is starting to look very dark.
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Author: BflatNH
Date: 2013-07-04 01:33
If it only starts after you've played long enough to accumulate some water, check all tenon joints (and the small pad above RH1) for accumulation. Sometimes I've had water in the barrel sockets affect my long tones, and water in my bell socket affect higher tones. FWIW Good luck.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-07-04 03:25
Heather587 -
1. Move your reed 1/16" higher on the mouthpiece and make sure there are no leaks at the corners of the tip.
2. Tighten your ligature snug and then loosen the screws 1/4 turn.
3. Try a new reed.
4. Try a different mouthpiece.
5. Try a different barrel.
6. Try your reed, mouthpiece and barrel on another R13, or any other clarinet.
7. Take your R13 to a repair shop to check for leaks.
Let us know if anything works.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Heather587
Date: 2013-07-05 01:21
Thank you everyone for your help and advice. I believe I have the problem solved I checked all the pad to make sure they weren't torn and they weren't and I checked all the screws and tightened them and adjust them. And after doing so I found that the wavy sound had disappeared but I'm still not totally convinced that the problem is gone so I'll just hope that it doesn't come back again, and keep all your advice in mind.
Thank you
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-07-05 15:29
In case it does come back, keep two things in mind:
> ... I checked all the pad to make sure they
> weren't torn and they weren't...
(a) a pad needn't be torn to leak, so if the problem comes back you need to test each pad with a feeler (or have a tech do it) to make sure each is seating all the way around;
> and I checked all the screws and
> tightened them and adjust them. And after doing so I found that
> the wavy sound had disappeared ...
(b) all screws, with the exception of the adjusting screw on the throat A key (and any adjusting screws on the long B or C pad cups, which I don't think R-13s have) should be tight, not "adjusted." If you're backing any of the pivot screws out because the key is binding when it's fully tightened, that should be corrected by a skilled technician.
Glad the problem seems solved.
Karl
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