 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: AHS
Date: 2016-03-31 00:04
I have a Buffet E45. Lately I've been having a problem with the low c# (but only that note). It is weak, and the sound is "broken", i.e, it is not at all fluid. I can improve it a bit by tightening my embouchure, but that doesn't really make the problem go away. The pad for the c# key is in good shape and anyway, the problem is when the pad is lifted, not when it is closed. Any suggestions as to what the problem could be?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-03-31 00:10
Something in the tone hole - probably dirt or, if someone tried to tune it by putting tape around the hole, it may have come loose. The pad clearance when it opens might be too small, but it started recently so that seems unlikely.
Karl
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Author: AHS
Date: 2016-03-31 00:14
Yes, the dirt-in-the-hole explanation makes sense. I was thinking that myself. Any suggestions as to how best to clean it out. Would a (bent) Q-tip be a good idea? If so, should I use it dry or wet (with what?).
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Author: pewd
Date: 2016-03-31 00:53
Remove the key, clean out the tone hole with a qtip.
Also make sure there isn't a tear on the surface of the pad.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-03-31 02:45
Lower register C# is a notoriously poor note on the majority of clarinets, followed by E (bottom line) and the C below that if they're not sufficiently vented (how far the pad opens) and also further compromised if the reed you're using is too hard for you. So check the C#/G# key pad is opening as much as is possible to help it speak clearer. If nothing helps, then put it down to design.
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The reason why C# is a bad note on most clarinets is due to the C#/G# tonehole being placed too high along the top joint and also made too small to bring the C#/G# down to its correct pitch, but the tone quality suffers as a result.
This is all down to having the tenon and socket in the way, so makers have to make this compromise. The correct location for the C#/G# tonehole is near on half way between the D tonehole (the plain tonehole for LH finger 3) and the C tonehole (the pad cup connected to the RH ring keys), but there's hardly any room to fit it on standard clarinets as the lower joint socket needs to be made longer as well as the middle tenon.
Only clarinets built with an articulated C#/G# tonehole where both tenon and socket are longer/deeper is this achieved and also on clarinets made with a single body joint and one piece bodied metal clarinets.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2016-03-31 05:58
François Kloc says that on Buffets, the C#/G# (left little finger) key pad is almost always set too low. You should be able to play low E, press the key and get a multiphonic. If you can't, open the key up until you do. Then do the same thing on low F, F#, G and G#. This made a noticeable improvement on my R13s.
Ken Shaw
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