 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: DG74
Date: 2018-06-05 05:24
Hi all,
Question for those of you skilled in repairs/adjustments:
My bridge keys have always been in very good alignment: line them up, and the forked Bb plays without any hesitation. Well, recently I had a couple pads replaced on my horn, and the technician noticed that my rings were a little high, so he offered to lower them a bit.
He lowered the rings and had me play test, and everything felt and sounded fine. However, now I've come to notice the bridge is just slightly out of adjustment. I have to put the top part about a millimeter or so behind the bottom part. When I do this the forked Bb isn't a problem, but if I line up the bridge exactly, it doesn't play without a squeak.
Now, I know if I take it back to him, he'll adjust it, no questions. However, I was wondering if this is an easy adjustment I can do at home, to realign the bridge. Keeping in mind I'm comfortable with minor adjustments, but not with more advanced issues.
I'd like the forked Bb to speak easily when correctly aligned, so I don't accidentally forget to find the correct position and embarrass myself during a rehearsal or performance w/ a squeak.
Thanks!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tobin
Date: 2018-06-05 05:52
Hi DG74,
I can't help you with making an adjustment yourself, but my technician has prevailed upon me to see that the "correct position" is wherever the 1/1 Bb speaks properly.
As the seasons change that exact spot tends to change as well [as the wood subtlety expands and shrinks], so it's possible that expecting the "correct position" to be lined-up visually straight is an artificial idea. YMMV.
James
Gnothi Seauton
Post Edited (2018-06-05 15:26)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2018-06-05 09:20
Why did he change it? Was the pad replacement related to these keys?
The reason for asking is it can be very tricky to adjust for tuning reasons. I would strongly suggest using a tuner when setting the height of the bridge keys.
Yes you can adjust it now and get it from squeaking. But check for tuning. When I studied with Hans Moennig he spent a lot of time with these notes, including undercutting some of the holes and using a special tape inside the holes.
So I question how good your repairman is...
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-06-05 13:08
The fingering xoo|xoo is called 'long Bb' and not 'forked Bb' as that's an entirely different thing.
Forked fingerings involve fingers 1 and 3 on either hand without finger 2 being held down. Only some types of clarinets use forked fingerings and most Boehm systems don't use them for regular notes.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DG74
Date: 2018-06-05 21:18
Thanks for all the info, everyone.
James, I like your insight that the correct alignment is the one that plays; I've had other clarinets where the bridge connections were slightly off, and I've adapted to them; just have to remember to check the long Bb before playing. The most important thing is that my pads do seal completely and the long Bb speaks well when aligned correctly; I won't attempt to make any adjustments at this point.
And thanks for the correction on long vs. forked Bb, Chris; I'm sure I knew the distinction at one time but confused them. There is a significant difference in meaning!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2018-06-05 22:51
If you just need a bit more 'thickness', add a layer or two of scotch tape or similar to one of the two bridge keys. It should work fine until it's convenient to go back to the tech.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2018-06-05 23:14
Ideally the correct alignment would be the one that gives the best angle between your hands. In reality a slight difference doesn't matter to almost everyone and the centered alignment gives a comfortable angle on almost all clarinets.
The best design for the linkage arms is such that the adjustment would work even if turning the joints slightly. The disadvantage of this is that if it's out of adjustment, it would be out in all positions.
It's a pretty simple adjustment but also critical to change certain things and impossible to know if any specific person can do it or not. I've seen very clumsy people do these kinds of adjustments just fine, and some people with supposedly good technical sense really botch it...
>> Why did he change it? Was the pad replacement related to these keys? <<
He mentioned that the repairer adjusted some ring heights. They probably didn't adjust the linkage after and the key heights might have changed compared with the linkage arms. Or maybe they adjusted (bent) the keys without accounting for spring back. Just some possibilities.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: donald
Date: 2018-06-06 08:31
It sounds to me as though the adjustment was made then tested, and was set up well- but that one of the pads (in either key cup) has become compressed but not the other, so that they are now not sealing at the same time.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
