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Re: Throat B and C suddenly don't work!

Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-08-19 21:54

There's no such thing as throat B and C unless you're using alternative fingerings in the lower register to get B and C utilising the throat G# and A keys in combination with the trill keys. The throat notes are lower register notes from open G (the 'all fingers off' one) to throat (or 'pinch') Bb.

If you mean upper register B and C (Sp. Th. xxx|xxxF/C for upper register C), then check there aren't any leaks elsewhere, the joints are correctly aligned and you're covering all the toneholes well. Also check if any keys have been bent which can happen as this can cause leaks or poor adjustment.

Check the adjusting screw on the throat G# key to be sure there's a small gap between it and the throat A key to be sure the G# pad is closing fully as that can cause everything to pack up. Slowly open the throat A key and check there's a delay before it makes contact with the adjusting screw. if there's no delay felt, then turn the adjusting screw anticlockwise until you can feel there's a small gap between the throat A key and the adjusting screw.

If you mean upper register B doesn't work when using either LH or RH pinky E/B keys on their own (Sp.Th.xxx|E/B xxx or Sp.Th.xxx|xxxE/B), then that's most likely due to the RH F/C touchpiece having got bent which can happen due to poor handling when assembling the instrument or if anything's putting pressure on the keywork when the instrument is in it's case.

If you have a soft case (backpack-style or similar), don't overload the zip-up pocket on the lid with tons of stuff or if it's a regular hard case, don't put anything on top of the instrument when it's in there and the lid is closed as that will put undue pressure on the keywork. Or if it's a badly made case like the hard plastic Vito cases which crushed the lower joint keywork when the lid was closed.

If you can't diagnose the problem, then you're best taking it to a specialist woodwind repairer as soon as you can and demonstrate the problem so they can see what you're doing which will give them a better idea of what's going on and how they can deal with it correctly.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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