 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: oian
Date: 2014-05-07 03:59
Since I,ve been learning my bass clarinet I haven't spent any time on my Alto (Bundy resonite). I took it out today and it seems to pay fine, except that the b natural (in the middle of the clef) plays twice as loud as any note above or below it. Any suggestions on why this might be. On the bass some notes play stronger than others, but this is way beyond that.
Thanks, John
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-05-07 13:19
Initially I had no idea what you were describing, but I want to venture a guess that perhaps something is loose (rattling, buzzing) around the bell. The long "B" may be setting up a sympathetic vibration with the loose part (whatever it may be).
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2014-05-07 19:53
I assume that this is a low E instrument, meaning that middle b also vents out of the bell. This makes the note louder. This is a fatal design flaw that many older alto and bass clarinets face. There is very little that be done about this, you just have to get use to it. The best option (assuming you own it) is to sell it and get one with a low Eb key so that middle b vents out of the low Eb hole rather than the bell.
Post Edited (2014-05-07 19:58)
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2014-05-07 20:34
jdbassplayer wrote:
> The best option (assuming you own it) is
> to sell it and get one with a low Eb key so that middle b vents
> out of the low Eb hole rather than the bell.
>
wouldn't this just move problem down to Bb? just asking
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Author: oian
Date: 2014-05-08 02:23
jdbassplayer:
I'm very new to the clarinet (about 1 Yr.), you are probably right. The instrument is the basic Bundy student eb alto. When the middle b is played all the keys are closed except the register key. I got the instrument off that"auction site" for $75. all the pads are ok and I only played it for a couple weeks (my first real experience with any instrument) while the (New to me) Leblanc Paris bass I got was getting a couple of pads replaced. I probably didn't notice it at the time because I was so glad that it actually made a sound and didn't squeak/squawk too much. Now going back to it it's become very obvious. Just to give you all a short version of my musical experiences: A couple of unsuccessful tries in Jr. high, a looong time ago (I'm 68), then a friend from church and a band instructor at a local K-12 academy invited anyone wishing to learn to play an instrument to join the band for free lessons. I'm now 1st chair bass clarinet (by default as I'm the only one!). I'm also now actually allowed to practice in the house as my wife says my playing no longer sounds like I stepped on a duck.
By the way the band instructor, when I described the problem, also said it was probably just the way that particular instrument played.
Thank you all for your help, John, New bass player and loving it.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2014-05-08 02:33
Actually $75 dollars for a playing alto is a great deal, even if it is only a low E. You could just keep it to have fun with and to practice when you don't have your bass with you.
Just an idea, try putting a light piece of cloth over the bell and see if that does something. I'm not basing this on any acoustical knowledge but who knows, it might work.
Hope you find a use for it!
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