 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: AAAClarinet
Date: 2013-12-09 17:46
Hello bboard, a few weeks ago my clarinet had several pads replaced with Valentino master pads, including the register key pad. Since then every time I play I quickly develop "water" in that key. It causes major problems with my long B. Is it the pad or something else. The pads were done be a very respected shop. Any thoughts.
AAAClarinet
Oh, I cleaned the register tube before and after the re-pad. it is clear.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-12-09 18:02
It's that time of year combined with a non porous pad. The pad isn't to blame for water entering or condensing in the speaker tube, but the porosity of the pad will definitely have an impact on how much water collects in there.
A damaged skin pad or a soft leather pad that isn't made from plastic treated leather will soak up most of the water, but a firm and far less absorbent pad (such as a cork or synthetic pad) won't absorb anywhere near as much (if at all), so the gurgles will be a problem as the water isn't wicked away.
I know some players whose clarinets I've repadded with cork pads said they're experiencing more water collecting in the toneholes on the top joint since the repad, only it's the same amount of water but isn't being absorbed by the porous pads they previously had, so keep a piece of highly absorbent paper to hand to dry any that runs out from under the pad and blot the wet pads with it (but don't drag the paper out from under closed pads - open the key and then remove the paper).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: discerningclarinetist
Date: 2013-12-09 18:32
I've used a light lemon oil or bore oil in the upper joint when I have water in the key issues. This (IMO) clears the tracks water has formed and does not let it collect on the surface as easily. I know some people are against oil and favor wax. The wax would do the same thing. Try it out and see if you have less water collecting in tone holes?
Best of luck,
Tyler Zey
www.discerningclarinetist.com
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2013-12-10 04:27
Since the register tube is sticking into the bore, it's very rare for water in the bore to actually get there.
Only if a drop from the "top" above it drops right into it or if the clarinet is constantly held in different angles exactly to allow it to happen.
Almost all the water inside the register tube is from condensation inside the register tube. The type of pad shouldn't have any effect on it.
Do you see the water "connecting" the end of the tube with the pad when the key is open, or is it clear but you can hear and feel the problem of the water inside the tube? If the latter, the pad has nothing to do with it. If the former, it's more likely that the pad has nothing to do with it either.
Post Edited (2013-12-11 04:20)
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2013-12-10 12:41
I use Valentino Masters pads but never on the register key. There is still nothing that sounds as good as cork. That being said, I don't see that the pad is responsible for the water problem. Dirt in the register tube or playing in a cold room is more likely. If the tube is clear, try warming up that section of the bore before you play.
Steve Ocone
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Author: pewd
Date: 2013-12-10 19:13
I really prefer cork on the register key pad.
And its not really 'rare', it happens to me occasionally, and to my students, esp. when the humidity is north of 90%.
I would pull a bore oil soaked swab through the top joint, and replace the register key pad with cork.
Hope that helps.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2013-12-11 04:22
By the way, if the problem is actually a water drop "connecting" the end of the register tube and the pad, then actually it could be that the key opens less after the overhaul, making this problem more likely.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2013-12-11 19:07
While I agree with Nitai that the source of the water is condensation inside the tube (rather than moisture from the rest of the clarinet somehow getting into there), I disagree that the type of pad doesn't matter.
Given that the water exists inside the tube, it can either be absorbed into the pad and NOT cause a burble, or can remain as a droplet inside the tube and make a burble. If the pad material is somewhat porous and has high surface tension, such as leather, it will most likely absorb the moisture and preclude a burble. But if the pad is non-porous (as cork, bladder or presumably the Valentino material though I'm not personally familiar with it), the droplet will just sit on top of the pad surface -- and if the surface tension of the material is low (think of a slippery material such as Teflon), then not only will the droplet fail to be absorbed by the pad, but it won't even want to stick to the surface of the pad -- making it free to vibrate inside the register tube and create all sorts of acoustical havoc.
I have no proof of all this, just speculating as an engineer.
Disclaimer: I use tan leather pads for overhauls of every type and size of woodwind instrument, other than customer requests for something else, or the occasional cork register key pad (beveled, naturally!).
Post Edited (2013-12-11 19:09)
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