 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2019-09-22 20:32
I have just received a lovely old SML Marigaux Bb clarinet that rings like a bell from top to bottom EXCEPT for the Bb throat tone : it's flat , fuzzy and without any strength. Aside from a slight leak on the F/C pad which can be fudged for the moment, the instrument plays easily, strong and regular on all other notes, loud! I'm very pleased (yes surprised !) at what a nice instrument it is and hate the thought of having to pack it off to get fixed (and it will take weeks at this moment, they are overbooked with schools at the luthier) before I can play it a bit. Is there anything I can do to fix this, or at least get by until the backlog clears at the shop? The instrument is one of a symphonic set ( matching Bb & A) and they were very well maintained. The A doesn't have this problem but doesn't have the 'pop' that the Bb does.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2019-09-22 21:11
You can check the "usual suspects":
Register key opening, clean register tube well, check pad condition.
Install cork pad on register key if it has any other type.
I hope one of the pros will chime in if there is something else you can do.
Oh I just realized that pad opening height adjusment may require a trip to a tech if you are not comfortable with bending keys yourself.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2019-09-22 22:47
I'd suggest doing what m1964 suggested plus replace the G# and A keys with cork pads too. I think you should be fine then. You can get cork pads at "http://www.jlsmithco.com/cork-pads". Probably size 9.5 for the upper registers but with some clarinets such as the older Selmer's they can be 10. Unlikely though. I like to sand the pads before gluing them using 2000 to 3000 grit sandpaper, for a very smooth finish and this helps assure a complete airtight seal. You also need a glue stick if you don't have any and a sharp blade to help cut and fit the cork pads into the clarinet cup holes. I use razor blades for a better cut.
If the pad skin is broken this can cause the buzz you are hearing or a pad or pads are too wide and the air is hissing out of the tone holes. Also the tone holes may not be high enough so the air isn't escaping correctly causing this nasty resistance to the sound. There is the adjustment screw on the G# key you can try, but then you can cause the G# key to leak and you may need to replace the G# cork underneath and adjust the height, by bending the key. This may be a job for a repairman., but you could do it. Just don't bend the key a lot as it's just soldered and it can break. There are youtube videos on this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCrqiZrKxSQ
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2019-09-22 23:21
Thank you both for the suggestions. I am not familiar enough with the compex levers to have thought about the G# key because G# and A are fine but it definitely is not rising in the same way for G# and A and then the register key may be the last straw. None of those are cork so they will eventually have to be changed. The register tube is low and scrawny compared to my other instruments and the key is set very low. I'm not sure I can even clean it as the screw head is not in good shape. *sigh*, I'll ask my teacher what he thinks next week when classes start up again, he's very knowledgeable and precise.
I actually have an old clarinet I was planning to take apart and learn on so I could make my own repairs but that's on the back burner until I get a few other projects under control (like still trying to finish the 5 custom screen doors for our terrasse, no one here does that ! but we have flies and mosquitos so I'm making my own screens). But I think that's a bit optimistic anyway... Still, I'll check the videos and try to instruct myself.
Again , thanks !
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Author: m1964
Date: 2019-09-23 01:21
Practice on the old one.
Oil all the screws you need to remove with a drop of oil before taking anything apart.
Use GOOD QUALITY SCREWDRIVER!
One can destroy even good screw using cheap screwdriver.
Wiha and Wera make good screwdrivers.
You need 2mm (or 1.8mm) for long screws, 2.5 mm for short screws.
I am sure you can fix your clarinet if you make or custom screens.😎
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2019-09-23 03:36
👍👍👍 ! the 'old' clarinet is a 1900s Godefroy Ainé; am I going to regret it if I screw up? (no pun intended!)
(like most instruments, there's a story that goes with that one : I bought a cheap clarinet on one of those garage sale sites. When I went to pick it up, it proved to be a set of symphony Bb and A instruments. I told the guy I didn't want to pay for 2 clarinets, all I wanted was the Bb Selmer. Says he "I'll give you the other one, I can't sell it anyway because it's broken, incomplete" So I just checked the Selmer and packed off the set in the double case without really thinking about it, all I cared about was the Selmer. I later discovered that the Godefroy Ainé was fine, nice wood, no cracks , no hardware missing or broken, but since it was a symphony set there was only one mp... And a nice Selmer HS at that.)
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2019-09-23 16:33
Eureka ! So I started with trying to simply clean out the register tube, and noticed that it is very tall compared to my CT and E13. I used a fine soft interdental brush slightly curved so as to enter the tube, I didn't have to remove the register key to do this. After a few pokes from either side a bit of fluff appeared to fall out, another poke and a ball peaked over the tube edge. One strong puff covering the whole register area with my mouth and I heard a distinct 'pop' - the dust bunny popped out of the tube ! No wonder it sounded fuzzy ! Now the Bb rings just like the rest - problem solved, very happy camper here.
The clarinet is lovely, I'm going to take it in for a tune-up but only when my tech is feeling zen about his schedule so he won't rush it. Needless to say I'm going to get silk and real chamois swabs, no more lint for me.
Again , thanks for the good advice all.
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2019-09-26 07:27
Great it's solved! I use the alternate fingering when reasonable--throat A plus 2nd right hand side trill key from the top (of the 4 in a row).
Great sound, but difficult to get to if your right hand is used the note before or after the Bb, particularly in a slur. It's good to practice this fingering anyway, even in situations where you wouldn't really want to use it (because of lack if smooth connection to the notes around it).
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2019-10-04 15:12
Tom H : Thank you so much !! What a great alternate fingering for Bb4 & B4. At school orchestra we're doing Offenbach's Orphée Aux Enfers with that perky little repeated B-Bb-A phrase in the transition before the galop. Quelle galère ! I've been unable to do it smoothly with the over the break fingering, feeling like I was aux enfers myself. Now , problem solved ! I personally like to play little swing tunes and have been working on "I'll See You In My Dreams" where it also comes in very handy as it makes the phrasing more 'sung'. You've made my day !!
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