 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2017-06-15 19:38
After serving as the Eb clarinetist for the San Diego Symphony from 1975-85 I gave up playing Eb until a few years ago. I then had my (1980? vintage) R13 Eb "tuned up", really only replacing the lowest 4 pads (E/B, F/C, F#/C#, G#/D#). Initially, I played on a much lighter setup than in my symphony days (Redwine 1.05 with #3 Traditional Eb reeds vs. Kanter with #4 reeds).
As my Eb chops came back, I began to notice that when I played the middle line B as well as the C and D above it, I would often hear a sympathetic resonance pitched at the corresponding octave lower.
This effect occurs with a variety of mouthpieces that I have (Redwine, Kanter, M30) but seems less likely if I play reeds that are really (too) soft (for the mouthpiece). I'm mostly back playing my Kanter with #4 Traditional reeds and hear the effect about 30% of the time, mostly on the second space C, sometimes the D above it.
I've never experienced this before and as I can detect no leaks, my suspicion is that one of the lowest 4 pads that were replaced may be vibrating. If so, since the phenomenon occurs when playing B/C/D, I would guess that perhaps the only common pad (G#/D#) might be the cause. Otherwise, I have no clue.
Has anyone else ever experience this phenomenon or have any thoughts as to the possible cause and remedy?
Thanks,
Bob Barnhart
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2017-06-15 21:20
Try putting a piece of cling film under the suspect pad. Is your register tube venting OK?
Tony F.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-06-15 21:59
Another cause could be the top joint side and trill keys making contact and being set into sympathetic vibration on certain notes. I've seen this on some Buffets as the gaps between the keys can be very close or even touching. You can check this by running a piece of paper along the lengths of the gaps between the trill and side keys and feeling for any resistance.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2017-06-16 15:51
I sometimes iron a pad to tighten up the skin. This doesn't always cure the buzz. Moisten the pad with water and use a hot pad slick.
Steve Ocone
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2017-06-16 20:12
Thanks Tony, Chris and Steven for your suggestions.
I had cleaned out my register tube a while ago so I don't think that's a factor.
I'm not sure what "cling film" is but I tried experiments with stretching cigarette paper over a pad to see if I could get a sympathetic vibration. No results yet.
The trill keys look well separated--I don't think that's a candidate.
I did notice that the LH F#/C# lever's linkage pin rattles in its socket. I think I'll replace the fish-skin on the pins for both the E/B and F#/C# levers. That may have an effect.
If I can narrow the problem to one/more pads, I think I'll let a repairman deal with fixing/replacing them as I do not have the equipment.
Bob Barnhart
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2017-06-16 20:37
Cling Film has different names in different places. The 2 that immediately come to mind are Saran Wrap or Gladwrap. Try placing a small piece between the closed pad and the tone hole to act as an additional seal. Try it a pad at a time. If you find one that produces a fix, that's the culprit. The amount of lift on the register key can be a factor, as can the shape of the register pad. Ideally it should be cork with a roughly truncated conical shape.
Tony F.
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Author: Burt
Date: 2017-06-18 19:37
The resonance is an octave below the desired note, not a twelfth below?
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2017-06-18 21:06
Tony: thanks for the clarification, I will continue to investigate using the "cling wrap".
Burt: yes the resonance is an octave below, not a twelf. That is puzzling. It also suggest that vibration might be caused by water along the mouthpiece rails. However, it is independent of the mouthpiece, thought lessened if I really clamp down the reed (which I don't favor). However, if THAT were the cause, I would expect more pitches to be affected.
Bob
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-06-18 21:14
Play the note that sets up the sympathetic vibration and have a colleague gently touch the keys to see which one could be causing the vibration. It should stop as soon as they touch the right key and return again when they let go.
That's how I diagnosed the trill/side keys on a Buffet R13 Prestige causing the unwanted sympathetic vibration and it was easy to resolve.
Looks will be deceiving - you can't assume that if something looks alright it is alright, so you will have to use other methods do diagnose things.
Check all the ring keys as well when they're held down - run a piece of paper around between the inside edge between the ring and tonehole chimney and feel for any resistance. Also the trill key guides as they often touch the sides of trill keys.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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