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Eb clarinet octave 'buzz'

Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2014-01-30 00:49

After not playing Eb clarinet much for a few years, I've noticed that when I play the middle line (long) B and the C above it, I'm hearing a pitch an octave BELOW as though there were a sympathetic vibration of a bit of water or a pad-skin.

The sympathetic vibration is not instantaneous when I play these notes but takes perhaps 1/2 second to start. I also seem to be able to minimize it by altering my embouchure and air stream, but I'm not precisely sure (yet) what makes a difference.

I don't remember this problem from years ago.

My clarinet is a 1970-ish R13.

It seems to occur with several mouthpieces so I don't think that's the cause, although I can sometimes feel the vibration at the mouthpiece (as though there were water under the reed). My reeds are VD Blue Box #3 1/2--just the same as I've always played.

Any ideas what may be causing it or how to cure it?

Thanks,
Bob Barnhart

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Re: Eb clarinet octave 'buzz'

Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-01-30 01:04

Check the top joint side and trill keys along their lengths to be sure they're not touching - use a piece of paper as a feeler gauge and run it along the gaps between the keys. If the paper catches at any point (as opposed to bumping into key barrels or pillars), that's where they could be making contact causing a sympathetic buzz.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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Re: Eb clarinet octave 'buzz'

Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-01-29 22:45

I've had a loose pad cause a buzz. It was loose in the cup but not enough to fall out.

Tony F.

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Re: Eb clarinet octave 'buzz'

Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2014-01-30 05:59

Fascinating. Make sure the register vent is clean.

Steve Ocone

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Re: Eb clarinet octave 'buzz'

Author: Wes
Date: 2014-01-30 12:11

Could a ring be bottoming on the wood causing a tiny, hard to detect leak? I've just overhaulled two Ebs and one had some rings touching the wood. It is a Marbeau, probably made by Noblet in the 1920s. Good luck!

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Re: Eb clarinet octave 'buzz'

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-01-31 07:23

Or could it be the bell ring being loose?

..................Paul Aviles

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Re: Eb clarinet octave 'buzz'

Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2014-01-31 16:42

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I've been taking my clarinets to Ryan Simmons (2nd bassoonist of the San Diego Symphony) who is also a talented repairman and I'll pass your ideas along to him.

I'll post again when we have this solved (hopefully soon!).

Bob

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