 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2023-12-25 00:04
For some reason, from G up to thumb C buzzes oddly and it is driving me positively bonkers trying to find out what is wrong! I can also very clearly hear the overtone above that note. This isn't normal for this clarinet, it's only recent. Any suggestions on what is wrong and how to fix it would be much appreciated!
Also altissimo notes are not affected in case that's relevant.
Thank you!
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2023-12-25 00:15
If you use bladder pads (or older Goretex & synthetics) then look for a drooping pad where it's center is falling in to the tonehole. This can happen in which the skin stretches and then starts buzzing.
just one idea from stuff I've come across in the past
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Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
Post Edited (2023-12-25 02:39)
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Author: donald
Date: 2023-12-25 05:19
The other thing is that sometimes the screws that hold in the "flat springs" (on the top joint "trill keys" for the right hand index finger, for instance) can back out a little (loosening the spring and causing a buzz) which has at least once in my lifetime been the cause of a buzzing. Once in 43 years of playing for up to 7 hours a day isn't much, so it's not very likely, but DID happen once a while back so might be worth checking out of you can't find a pad that's buzzing.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2023-12-25 07:00
Reese Oller wrote:
> For some reason, from G up to thumb C buzzes oddly
Try, as you play G, pressing down on each of the keys in the upper section with your right hand. If pressing one down stops the buzzing, you'll have narrowed down the source and will know where to look more closely. If none of the hardware is vibrating, it's most likely something to do with a pad.
Karl
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2023-12-25 09:04
Try this. Cut a small piece of food wrap (Saran Wrap, Gladwrap, whatever). Starting at the bottom end of the clarinet Insert the clingwrap between the pad and the tone hole. One pad at a time work your way up the instrument until the buzz is no longer present. You have found the troublesome pad.
Tony F.
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Author: crazyclari
Date: 2023-12-25 13:50
Hi Reese, as mentioned above, maybe the skin on the pad has split and is buzzing. And the other mentioned above. The basic yamaha clarinets had their own buzz as well. Did the case work?
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2023-12-25 20:18
Come to think of it, the skin pads I've been using are fairly old. Perhaps I should replace them. Keys aren't vibrating, at least! The case is working, I just need to fix the latches on it, they appear to have been damaged in transit.
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2023-12-25 20:23
I've had this problem a few times. Paradoxically, even though the symptoms tend to emerge with high notes on the upper joint, I found that the issue was lower down: on the long levers for the LH pinkies. Specifically, where those levers have pins at the bottom end to actuate the link to the RH keys. Even on newer instruments with teflon pins there can be some slackness of fit that leads to buzzing. And on older instruments with metal pins, there is a greater tendency to have this problem. You can diagnose it by just gently touching the key heads for B and C# (and extra Eb if you have it) to see if the buzzing stops. If it does, then you need to add more padding around the pins (traditionally goldbeaters skin, but a thin piece cut from a plastic bag does fine).
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2023-12-25 22:11
Aside from slight timbral change I noticed no difference. I'll go over every screw and tighten when needed and see if that helps.
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2023-12-27 09:11
This has happened to me when I’ve forgotten to tighten my ligature screws all the way. Worth checking that they’re not moving around!
Post Edited (2023-12-27 11:11)
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2024-05-01 22:24
Bewilderingly, after 5 months of having this issue, today this buzz stopped. I did nothing except remove the register key, screw around with trying to clean some of the dust and things in the crack I have, and put the register key back on.
What could have been the issue?
Reese Oller
Clarinet student primarily (going to be a performance major in college)
Bass clarinet, Eb clarinet, alto saxophone, flute (in a pinch), and bassoon
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2024-05-02 01:24
Hi Reese,
The issue, IMO, is that the crack that you have is leaking air and when that air blew across the dust and other things in the crack, a buzzing sound was created.
Did you do an air pressure check of the upper joint?
The only thing that I can think of as to why it affected only clarion G to C is the location of the crack and the necessity of opening the register key.
The important thing is that you solved the problem. I believe your clarinet is rented from the school, so doing some kind of professional repair would not be advisable. What comes to my mind is the possibility of pressing very dense wax into the crack. This, theoretically, would not only stop that air leak, but would also reduce the playing resistance of the instrument because the crack is located in the upper joint.
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Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2024-05-02 11:14
Hi Reese,
It sounds rather like a loose sliver of wood in the crack has been acting like a reed .... but only when a pressure node in the bore activates it....Whatever!... the main thing is that you seem to have solved the mystery and can fix it . I'm not sure from what you said whether the crack runs through the speaker hole or the register vent, but either way, fixing the crack should include checking for leaks around these points too.
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2024-05-05 08:17
I own my clarinet-- It's a Selmer Signet Soloist that I got for 90 USD off Reverb and fixed up (on my own, except for the repad-- that was done by a professional).
The crack, as far as I can tell, only is a problem the first five to ten minutes of playing while the instrument is cold. After that, while not ideal, I don't encounter many issues.
I definitely want to get a pro level clarinet soon for college. I don't think this poor old horn of mine can stand much more of the abuse I put it through (I play upwards of four hours per day as it stands).
Reese Oller
Clarinet student primarily (going to be a performance major in college)
Bass clarinet, Eb clarinet, alto saxophone, flute (in a pinch), and bassoon
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Author: m1964
Date: 2024-05-05 23:20
Reese Oller wrote:
> ...I definitely want to get a pro level clarinet soon for college.
> I don't think this poor old horn of mine can stand much more of
> the abuse I put it through (I play upwards of four hours per
> day as it stands).
The prices on used Buffets on eBay have shot up very much recently, with many sellers from Japan selling various models as R13, or "R13 variant", or something else in description that you have to decipher in order to understand that they are selling an e12 or even E11.
While I do not have any prejudice for any country or nation, my (very limited) experience with a seller from Japan was less than ideal...
If you do decide to buy on eBay, I'd advise to buy a clarinet that had been restored/overhauled, from a North America seller with 100% feedback.
I also would advise against buying a cheap "project" clarinet in hope of fixing it inexpensively-too many reasons to list here.
Of course, a local music store selling used instruments should be checked first.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-05-06 01:10
Attachment: P4280002.JPG (709k)
And Buffet aren't the be all and end all - there are other better choices out there that may suit you much better than any Buffet. Just because Buffet are the most popular make doesn't make them the best make. Find the clarinet you like playing best, the one that lets you play your best and not the one you've been told to buy if it simply doesn't suit you.
I know someone who favours their old Signet 100 over the Buffet R13 Prestige they bought with high expectations, but ended up regretting it and selling it on in favour of having their Signet 100 fully overhauled as well as having a LH Ab/Eb lever added to it as they missed that aspect of the R13 Prestige.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2024-05-06 09:16
Chris P wrote:
> And Buffet aren't the be all and end all - there are other
> better choices out there that may suit you much better than any
> Buffet. Just because Buffet are the most popular make doesn't
> make them the best make. Find the clarinet you like playing
> best, the one that lets you play your best and not the one
> you've been told to buy if it simply doesn't suit you.
>
Chris,
You are absolutely right. I like Selmer's later pro models- Series 9,10, 10S, 10G. The Centered tone I tried once was so easy to play! Selmer's workmanship and keys fitting seem excellent on their pro models.
Post Edited (2024-05-06 09:37)
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2024-05-07 22:24
All those sound like excellent points, but I've got to worry about college first. It's very expensive now, more than ever before, and as much as I want/ need professional quality clarinets for my career, I'm worried I'll never make it out from underneath these loans, hence never buying them.
If anyone has an old set that's just laying around, is in need of repair, or not the best for you, or something, maybe contact me and tell me how much you'd be willing to let them go for?
Not a promise, but depending on how many jobs I can keep up for the summer, I might be able to spend about $1800. Maybe.
Thank you all so much for all the advice, it's always been worth it to listen!
Reese Oller
Clarinet student primarily (going to be a performance major in college)
Bass clarinet, Eb clarinet, alto saxophone, flute (in a pinch), and bassoon
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