 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ekay
Date: 2019-09-22 17:57
**please read update below, also link to the bent spring I discovered just today:
sidenote: i am using google drive to share this image
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10PPnj5FuGbbSKqSrOUsc9_24cXPMjcFG/view?usp=sharing
Hello,
I have recently discovered that whenever I press the keys labelled 39 and 40 in the picture repeatedly, sound will eventually stop coming out, followed shortly afterwards by a note from the upper register that I can't identify (basically a squeak, but this one is more of a 'sustained' squeak). The picture with labels on it is replied to the section below.
This issue happens when I repeatedly press the 39 and 40 keys in both the upper register and the lower register, so I'm suspecting it's not an embouchure / reed issue and more of a mechanical issue, but I'm still not too sure
UPDATE: Wow, thanks a lot for everyone who replied. today I just noticed that there was a slight bend in the spring of the lower joint. I think it is very possible this is what is causing the squeaking to take place, and I would like to hear your opinions on the matter. Thanks again!
Post Edited (2019-09-24 04:06)
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2019-09-22 18:30
I'm not sure what you mean by "repeatedly," but any time you press either of those keys you have to be careful not to let your LH ring finger uncover its tone hole as you reach for the key with your pinky.
Karl
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2019-09-22 19:28
That clarinet chart is very nice!
My guess is you are moving a finger most likely in the lower register of your right hand that covers one of the holes, so it is probably one of your right three fingers, the index, the middle, or your wedding ring finger.
To find out which one maybe buy a small mirror at a place like a hardware store and have them cut it to size to fit on the music stand. It the sides are sharp on the mirror use come tape to protect you from getting cut.
When you squeak look at the mirror and see what your fingers are doing. Also use the mirror for developing a wonderful sound. I feel this is a must tool for anyone serious about music.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-09-22 20:22
I agree with the use of a mirror. Also a "squeak" (long or short) is really an overtone, just higher on along the series than the next register.
When I first saw the image I my first thought was......."No wonder his clarinet is squeaking!"
[just a little humor]
If it is just the idea of this happening when you trill, it is probably the left hand finger slippage mentioned above. I'd try only opening up (trilling) the middle finger of the left hand while fingering the low "F." You could start off with a slow interval from D to F to establish the sound the ear of the audience first before moving into a fast trill (that is a little "off" regarding pitch and formant). I do something similar in a current musical I'm doing.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2019-09-22 20:27
Cool picture, even labels the threaded rods.
Keys 39 and 40 are the lh pinky keys for E/B and F#/C#. The corresponding rh keys look like 12 and 10 in the diagram. If you are not getting the symptoms when pressing 12 and 10, then the problem is probably not the with their pads or tone holes.
The most likely thing, as mentioned above, is a lh finger partly uncovering a tone hole (I think Bob meant left hand above.) It might be the ring finger tending to slide down, or it might be the angle of the hand tending to move to make the pinky operation easier, which can slide the index finger off. A mirror will help to tell.
Those tendencies can be improved by routine careful practice with the l pinky, and/or routine careful stretching of it and the hand. Be mindful to avoid repetitive stress injury. Also, good technicians routinely adjust the positions of those keys to help them suit individual hands.
It's also possible there's some kind of mechanical issue with the lh keys, friction perhaps, that's affecting their normal operation. These keys and their linkages are more complex than one might expect, and susceptible to surprising, if uncommon, problems.
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2019-09-22 20:57
I would get this sometimes when I played Symphony 1010s. Some of the finger tone holes are rather large, and if the fingers are too tense or pressing the pinky keys causes them to move a little, the holes no longer entirely seal. The fix was to practice things like chromatic scales, repeating scale patterns, arpeggios and so on while paying particular attention to light finger pressure. And then, trying to remember that while in a rehearsal or concert.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-09-23 00:12
On second thought I think using the third finger of the left and the first of the right together (clumsy but not as bad as trilling all fingers between) works better.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2019-09-23 05:10
When using the pinky finger usually the ring finger tenses up first. You can try chromatic exercises using just 5 notes involving the pinky and that ring and middle finger. Try going slow, maybe using a metronome, something to buy if you don'y already have one, or download one on the internet. Start with quarter notes then work to trills. This finger often has a mind of its own so take your time and when you feel tension just stop and start over slowly. You can also mix up the rhythms a bit when going this.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: ekay
Date: 2019-09-24 03:57
this is the bend in my clarinet spring that I think is causing the problem:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10PPnj5FuGbbSKqSrOUsc9_24cXPMjcFG/view?usp=sharing
again thanks for all that have helped!
Post Edited (2019-09-24 04:10)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-09-24 08:22
So you are showing the cup (and spring) associated with the Low "E" and middle staff "B." If the spring lacks "authority" due to a poor shape, that would affect how well swiftly you move up from the Low "E." But you asked about the Low "F," so did you originally mean the Low "E?" And, where you able to create a better spring tension that allows a faster transition up from the Low "E?"
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: ekay
Date: 2019-09-25 03:55
Yes, I'm having problems with any notes that have to do with the two keys (39 and 40) on the main post above. That would include middle staff B, middle staff C#, low E, low F, low F#, and the rest that require the 39 and 40 keys to be pressed. Basically I meant low E, low F, and all the other notes I just listed.
How would I create a better spring tension? Sorry but I don't know much about mechanical adjust to the Clarinet (other than really basic things like screwing in the bolts that seem protruded from their little ball-like containers)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-09-25 05:17
That may be a little too much to try right off. Take it to a reliable tech. Sounds like you have leaks as well.
...........Paul Aviles
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The Clarinet Pages
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