Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2021-08-03 19:35
rfunes wrote:
> I was wondering how much leak a clarinet could have before it
> actually adds noticeable resistance or other noticeable
> problems (difficult articulation, and so on)?
Most minor leaks won't cause a noticeable problem - until you have them sealed and you realize how much extra effort the repair is saving you. People play on leaky instruments all the time and learn to overcome the extra resistance.
>
> I found a leak in my instrument (the Ab/Eb pad in the lower
> joint), and right now it is in the repair person for new pads
> and adjustments.
Was this the only leak you found? It's too low on the instrument to cause problems for anything except the 4 notes below it - E3-G3 and B4-D5 - but if it leaked enough, those notes could be nearly unplayable.
>
> When I tested the lower joint, I closed all keys/holes and blew
> hard into the lower part of the instrument, and it was very
> leaky (one could hear clearly the air leaking from this pad),
That's not the ideal way to test for leaks. If you blow hard enough, you'll overcome the spring tensions and blow pads open that seal perfectly well under normal circumstances. Sucking the air out of the closed-up joint to form a vacuum is a better DIY approach. A repair person might use a machine (like a Magnehelic), a leak light or a feeler gauge (or a combination) to measure and locate leaks.
> but this leak only manifested itself when I used a quite large
> amount of air pressure.
>
You probably just blew it open.
The best way (IMHO) to find leaks (others may prefer other methods), whether at home or in a shop, is with a feeler - cut a longish (an inch or a little longer) thin strip of thin plastic (I use leader tape from the days of reel-to-reel tape recording) or paper (e.g. cigarette paper) and cut it to almost a point at one end. Put it under a pad, close it, and feel the amount (or lack) of any tug holding onto the feeler. Do this at each of the four main points around the pad (12:00, 3:00, 6:00 9:00). The feeler should detect even resistance all the way around.
> I wonder what can I expect after I receive the instrument back,
> hopefully completely air tight, should I expect a huge
> difference in resistance/playing characteristics, or just a
> small improvement?
It depends on how sensitive you are to the difference and how much leakage was actually sealed up (and how competent the repair guy is). If there were a lot of little leaks all over, you'll feel a quicker, more secure response - if the music you play demands it. If only the Ab/Eb leak was fixed, you will only notice a difference on those notes below it, if the leak was serious enough.
Karl
>
>
> Post Edited (2021-08-03 19:04)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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