 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Steve
Date: 2001-10-06 00:46
I bought a Buffet Festival about two years ago and have been playing it regularly without any problems. Recently, however, it has developed a raspy gurgling sound like moisture is trying to escape from the bore. I read all of the previous posts regarding gurgling sounds and tried all of the remedies suggested to no avail. I suspect that there may be a small crack someplace that I cannot see that is causing the sound. So, my question is: Does this raspy gurgling sound indicate that there is a crack someplace? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-10-06 14:51
If there is a leak through a split across a tone hole I suppose it could gurgle as water started collecting and blowing out through the split. Look carefully at the top few tone holes.
Have you checked for leaks? Put a cork in the end of one section, close the keys with one hand, and gently squeeze a mouthful of air into the other end. If the air slowly enters there is most likely a leak (or you could be squeezing out the air too hard and forcing a pad to open). If there is a leak then blow air quite hard into the end. You will probably hear the leak. Use the other hand to push key cups hard shut until you find one where the sound of escaping air can be reduced. This is almost certainly the source of the worst leak - but there could be more.
The leak could be from a split across a tone hole, tone hole insert inadequately glued in, rough edge to tone hole, friction in pivot, friction in spring (especially the rubbbing end of a throat A spring), key jamming between posts, poor pad seating, leak in pad (water may be wicked into the felt inside the pad, thus swelling it and compromising seating. Note that occasionally a new pad is porous), etc, etc.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Anji
Date: 2001-10-06 22:32
Methinks Gordo maybe onto something...
When this happens, what does the reed look like?
"frazz" could be moisture between the reed and the table, or in the mouthpiece.
I wonder if this instrument is making you work harder? There might be some accomodation in your playing that effects your embouchure?
anji
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2001-10-07 19:44
Gordon is on the right path. I would also like to suggest that sometimes an excess of moisture on the reed can cause this. Try sucking the moisture out of the tip of the mouthpiece, continue to play and see if the "gurgling" sound continues. If it does then wipe off the reed and try again. If the "gurgling" sound disappears then this could be your problem - excessive moisture on the reed. This is a control problem of excessive saliva on the reed. By not encouraging this by eating, chewing gum, thinking food or any other stimulating action you can usualy eliminate the problem.
Good luck,
Bob Curtis
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Steve
Date: 2001-10-07 21:48
Many good inputs to my question. I did not see any cracks along any of the tone holes. Regarding Gordon's question, the problem applies mostly in the upper register A and B, but is also noticable as I go down to G,F and E. When this sound starts (about 20 minutes after I start) I dry off the reed and swab the bore. This helps for about five minutes, then the sound returns. Curiously, I played a long session yesterday (about 4 hours) and the sound eventually went away! I'm baffled.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-10-08 10:34
I wonder if this could also be an inordinately large gap between the end of a tenon and the end of the tenon socket.
It could collect water and gurgle. If you removed the mouthpiece to do the drying this could account for why it corrected for a while.
You could test for this source by making cardboard washers, (or use Blu-Tack) to fill these gaps.
If that is the solution then you could purchase or have made a set of more permanent plastic washers that fit.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
