The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2024-02-16 09:18
Hello!
So, I have been having some problems with "book fingering" altissimo Db and D on bass. For some reason, those two notes are just really difficult for me to sound without either squeaking or grunting. I don't have this trouble on any other clarinets, nor any other fingering on the bass clarinet, and I'm at a loss as to what is causing it.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-02-16 09:34
Are you lifting LH1 off or rolling LH1 down to uncover the aperture in the LH1 fingerplate when playing altissimo D?
Instead of lifting LH1 off as you'd normally do on soprano (Bb/A) clarinet, roll LH1 down to uncover the small aperture in the fingerplate to give reduced venting for those notes if they kick with LH1 lifted off completely.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2024-02-16 21:47
For Db I lift the finger completely but for D and above I uncover the hole.
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Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2024-02-16 23:51
Have you checked that that hole is properly clear. It has quite a long pip that can become obstructed.
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2024-02-17 00:15
It was apparently a combination of two problems: the half hole that Julian mentioned and the fact that, despite having already adjusted it, the screw that connects the Bb/F touchpiece to the A/F# pad came loose. All good now!
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Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2024-02-17 12:33
Use nail varnish. Some people have taken to using it on their finger nails, although it's obviously designed to keep those little screws " nailed " in adjustment.
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-02-19 04:34
Are you talking about keys or fingerplates as I can't work out what you mean.
If you're talking fingerplates, then name them after the fingers that control them (thumb, LH1, LH2, LH3, RH1, RH2, RH3) as that's universal over pretty much all woodwind instruments.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2024-02-19 09:05
Yeah that would make more sense. Ok, attempt three! what I meant was that the pad directly above LH1 was out of adjustment (the pad wasn't being pressed down) so I adjusted the screw and it works fine now. My issue is that it keeps going out of adjustment. Now, I'm going to go ahead and stress out about my WIU audition tomorrow.
Good night all!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-02-19 12:39
The pad above the LH1 fingerplate is the open G vent - bear that in mind if you get a gurgle when playing open G as I see many clarinet players blowing into the thumb tube (which is where F# issues from) and it doesn't cure anything, so blow into that tonehole directly under the throat A key touchpiece and you'll be good to go.
As for the adjusting screw backing itself out, add a drop of purple Loctite or nail varnish to the adjusting screw thread to help lock it in place if it's on the loose side. If it's going out of adjustment for other reasons, then you'll need someone to look into it so they can address the root problem.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2024-02-20 13:35
Nine posts back the OP said " All good now", making the detail of which key he had to adjust essentially irrelevant.
What follows reads like an exercise in persecution and intimidation of this young man after the fact, more than a sincere intent to genuinely offer help.
What's going on guys ?
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
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