The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: janlynn
Date: 2001-11-28 12:51
hey guys,
the strangest thing happend last night. after rehearsal another clarinetist came up to me and asked me to try her clarinet. she said it was fine and then after the break she could not play the lower notes and it would just squeak. so i put on my barrel and mouthpiece and played it and it worked just fine. i gave it back and told her to try again. it wouldnt play. so i asked if she wouldnt mind me using her mouthpiece...she didnt, and i played again. still, just fine. she tried, not a sound. what could be wrong? could there be a loose pad or screw...where should she look for the problem and how come i could play it ok but nothing comes out when she tries? we have a concert on sunday, what if it happens in the middle of the concert?
JL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: janlynn
Date: 2001-11-28 13:13
btw...i had her play my clarinet with her mouthpiece and she could play mine so i dont know why she cant play hers.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2001-11-28 13:24
She (your friend) is probably not covering all of the tones wholes. This is a common problem among beginning clarinetists and is most likely why you can play the clarinet and she cannot. Try this: put her mouthpiece on backwards so that you can finger her instrument while she does the blowing. If her clarinet still works with her blowing the sound, then her fingers are the culperts--one is not covering its tone whole. Once the offending finger is found, this problem will pass quickly and your concert will be saved. Good Clarineting!!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2001-11-28 13:27
Just read your BTW. If that is the case, then perhaps the jumper mechanizm between the lower and upper joint has become damaged making the lower rings harder to push down on her clarinet. If you have strong fingers and she doesn't, perhaps that could also be a problem. Good Luck.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: janlynn
Date: 2001-11-28 13:29
ok, will give it a try, but shes not a beginner. she played in high school and returned to playing about 3 or 4 years ago. we play in a community wind symphony.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: janlynn
Date: 2001-11-28 13:34
william....ok, sorry i dont know this but what is a jumper mechanism? do you mean the bridge key?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: janlynn
Date: 2001-11-28 13:38
lol i'll have her check it.
thank you!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-11-28 18:05
Yes, the bridge key "corking" might interefere if too "tight". Its principal use is for the "long" [both first fingers] Eb/Bb, which is quite useful [for me] . Also if either first finger knuckle is touching the G# [left] or Eb/Bb , this might cause non-speaking problems. Luck, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Katfish
Date: 2001-11-28 20:30
Check the adjustment screw on the A key, there should be a little "play".
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-11-29 13:01
My thoughts exactly William.
This can be checked thus:
Turn the centre tenon so that the bridge key mechanism no longer engages. It will be an awkward hand position, but see if it plays now.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-11-29 13:04
Another possibility is that the ring keys are too high. If your fingers are daintier then they bulge more through the rings and close the tone holes. If she presses more gently, or has bulkier fingers they may contact the rings without actually sealing the tone holes. This is a very common fault in new student instruments. Many pro instruments are not exempt either!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
|