 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2017-03-30 04:45
When I (try to) play clarion B with only my left pinkie, I can't make a sound. But, if I add my right hand pinkie, the sound comes out just fine. Any suggestions on which key/pad/hole might be causing this problem? Also, when I bought my R13, it came with a plastic "plug" in the top of the bottom joint. I was told by the buyer to leave it there when the clarinet is not in use. I've read others on BBoards say to not use it at all. Could this "plug" be causing the issue I just described? Thanks folks:)
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-03-30 05:04
The "crow's foot" or "foot key" under the RH E/B and F#/C# keys that pull the F/C key above them down when either is pressed is most likely out of adjustment. Sometimes a bumper has fallen out, sometimes it's just gotten bent out of position. A tech can adjust it back in a few seconds (may not even charge you if all he has to do is bend it back).
The clamp (the "plug" you ask about) is meant to keep the pads at the bottom of the RH section closed in storage to maintain the impression in a standard skin-covered felt pad. For awhile, Buffet was supplying them on their clarinets and my repairman was recommending using clear plastic hair bands around the RH E/B key to do the same thing (the colored rubber ones tarnish silver plate). I'm told that newer, softer pad types (e.g. white Valentinos) may actually be harmed by doing this because it causes too deep an impression that may interfere with the pad clearance when open, and also that with some newer harder pad types (I think black Valentinos, for example) the clamping isn't effective. So, it depends on what pads you have on the bottom tone holes and also, to an extent, on your repair tech's opinion about the relative merit/harm of holding E/B and F/C closed when the clarinet isn't being played.
Karl
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2017-03-30 09:27
As mentioned it sounds like a problem with the adjustment of the crow's foot or something similar. It's not clear if you add the F/C key or the E/B key of the right pinkie, but even the latter can work if the misadjustment is not terrible (after a certain amount even the right hand E/B key by itself won't work).
>> I'm told that newer, softer pad types (e.g. white Valentinos) may actually be harmed by doing this because it causes too deep an impression that may interfere with the pad clearance when open <<
No matter how deep a seat on a pad is, it can't affect the pad clearance. Only the pad swelling or some mechanical problem (bent key, something caught under the bumper, etc.) can affect this and a deep seat can't affect any of that.
It can affect the key position when the key is closed, increasing the travel slightly, but even with a very soft pad this usually doesn't reach an amount that is even noticeable. It's almost never an issue with closed pad (only very occasionally).
Regardless, I recommend to not use those Buffet clamps. If the keys require clamping to stay adjusted and seal then they weren't installed accurately enough in the first place. Obviously it didn't really help in this case anyway. Clamping them only makes the pads not last as long and keeps them in a different condition than when playing.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-03-30 10:25
Attachment: reinforcednylonpins 001.JPG (208k)
It sounds like the F/C touchpiece has been bent - this is an all too common problem with Buffets as the F/C touchpiece is soft and has a relatively thin and long arm connecting it to the key barrel, so any pressure applied to the clarinet whilst in the case will bend this key down and put it out of adjustment.
As for the spring loaded 'plug' thing - bin it and forget it ever existed. They do far more harm than good. If you value your clarinet, you'll never use it. Also it will add unnecessary stress to the already notoriously weak nylon pins in the ends of the LH levers, so that will increase the risk of them breaking. And what with Buffet parts being difficult to get hold of in the US, don't do anything you don't need to should you require replacement parts. I reinforce these nylon pins with steel so they are far less likely to break (see attachment). It takes a matter of minutes to do and I do this routinely to all Buffets I see.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2017-03-30 18:03
BINGO! The pad on the crow's foot is considerably thinner on the right side than on the left. When I use the "plug," it causes the pad on the crow's foot to compress on the right hand side whenever my clarinet is in its case. I cut some small pieces of masking tape and put them on the right hand side of the crow's foot where the pad is considerably thinner than it is on the left, and it alleviated the problem. The last time I went without the "plug," my clarinet ended up back in the shop...coincidence? Not sure...and I can't remember exactly what the issue was. I'll take my clarinet in today and have my tech resolve the issue with a new pad (fingers crossed) and let you know how it ended up. I will also ditz the "plug."
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