 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2025-05-20 07:15
Regarding low G# pinky spring tension and low F is it common for the G# to be heavier? After a layoff I’m noticing a big disparity. I’m sure this short spring is not easy to adjust due to location and length.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2025-05-20 15:09
What is not easy (for me) regarding adjusting the spring tension on the Ab/Eb key is that it is easy to "unspring" the tension getting it hooked back on the underside of the key. This is where using a crochet hook is the way to go for both removing the spring from the key and putting it back on. It is also best to reapply the spring once you've set the key "in place" but BEFORE you put the rod back in (leaves more play).
And yes, you want a little more tension on that key in particular because (believe it or not) that key can "blow open" slightly if the tension is too loose. This causes a noticeable loss of resonance, particularly in the lower register.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-05-20 16:47
Depending how the Ab/Eb key is sprung which is down to the pillar the needle spring is fitted into, hitching the spring up before fitting the rod screw can be a nightmare if the spring is fitted in the uppermost pillar of the row of three (the one nearest to the RH3 tonehole) that hold both the RH Ab/Eb and F/C keys on as the spring tension will want to force the pillar to turn anticlockwise and undo it.
In threaded pillars, needle springs ideally need to be biased in the direction that turns the pillar in a clockwise direction. With anchored pillars (with a locking screw or a baseplate secured by one or two wood screws), the direction the spring is biased in makes no difference provided the pillars are secure.
In all cases, closed sprung keys will need more (but not excessive) spring tension compared to open sprung keys as they're having to do the work of what our fingers would normally do. While weak sprung closed keys can flutter or motorboat on certain notes, far too strong spring tension will compress the pads too much and won't do you any favours as a player and could cause you more physical harm than good.
Cork and synthetic pads don't need the same degree of spring tension as skin or leather pads do and excessive spring tension can damage them.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2025-05-20 16:55)
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