The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Odd screeching between notes

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-06-09 17:13

Xoen wrote:

> Sometimes when
> I move quickly between notes, especially those using lots of
> fingers and the B/C/C#keys but regardless of the register, the
> notes come out fine besides some resistance to the second note
> but between them there's sometimes a screech, like a high
> pitched squeak unlike an overtone or anything like that.

I'm not sure what you mean by "move quickly." Do you mean within a technical passage that includes those notes, or do you mean when playing only the two notes by themselves? Slurred or tongued? If only the two notes, I don't understand what moving slowly would be compared to moving quickly.
Maybe give a musical example (that we might know) of when this happens.

I think we're all familiar with squeaks and screeches. They happen usually when a slight opening (a leaky pad, a finger that isn't covering a hole completely) causes a node in the air column, producing a harmonic - just as opening the register key does. Sometimes a weak spot in a reed or a very narrow stiff area causes the reed to divide into harmonics with the same result. Sometimes the cause turns out to be small but important unconscious changes in embouchure pressure or shape.

All anyone here can do, without hearing you play, is guess. If you have a private clarinet teacher, he or she would be in the best position to find what's causing your screeches. But here are a couple of ideas:

If it's specifically those pinky keys at the bottom of the instrument, often a finger higher up on the hand is pulling slightly off its tone hole. There may be an issue with your hand position if this is the problem. You need to set your hands so that you can reach the pinky keys without moving your hands themselves.

Sometimes when you're afraid of squeaking, you tense your fingers and your embouchure to try to avoid the squeak. Those maneuvers, which are most of the time unconscious, can make the squeak more likely. Whatever embouchure works for the first note ought to work for the second. The air pressure should be continuous from one note to the other, so you aren't doing anything to cause the air column to jump to a higher harmonic.

It goes without saying that leaky pads almost anywhere could cause enough instability to cause unexpected squeaks. I hope you've had the instrument checked carefully by a competent repair tech.

Likewise, if the linkages on the pinky keys themselves are not adjusted well, pads they control may not be closing tightly - especially the "crow's foot" under RH E/B and F#/C# that pulls the C pad closed.

Since it seems to happen regardless of reed changes, it doesn't seem as though reeds are the cause. Is there's any damage to the rails, especially the tip rail, that could be the explanation. (Take a look with a magnifier.)

Those are a few things to think about. If I've misunderstood the kind of interval movement that results in the screeching, try to give more specific examples.

Karl

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics