 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: george
Date: 2002-02-26 04:02
Hi, just wondering if anyone here knows how I can go about fixing the lefthand C# key on the lower portion of my clarinet. The key does not pop back up when I play it. I am pretty sure that it is the C# key, because, the part it connects to, the right hand Eb key comes back up.
Also, I was wondering if the part that connects the C# to the Eb part is supposed to be alligned. (this part is hard to explain, but its the part where the Eb key pushes back down the C# key).
I hope somebody knows what I am talking about.
thank you
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Author: george
Date: 2002-02-26 05:46
i mean the C key, not the C#
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-02-26 14:16
George, let's try to clear things a bit. First of all, you appear to be speaking of notes produced by operating certain keys *in the upper (Clarion) register*. Is this correct? If it is, then let's go on. If it isn't, then everything else I have to say is not relevant, and I suggest you rephrase your question.
If the C key you have in mind is the one on the lower (right hand) joint which is operated by fourth finger left hand, it should not be connected at all to the E-flat key (D# key), the "upper left" key of the four operated by the fourth finger right hand. The fourth finger left hand C key, when pressed, should cause the fourth finger right hand "upper right" C key to go down, and no other one. If you press on the left hand C key and then hold down the right hand C key, the left C key should return upward when you remove your left little finger. If it does not, its spring is either broken or disengaged. Alternatively, perhaps the instrument is very inexpensively made and never had such a spring, in which case you deserve a higher-quality Clarinet.
If anything is not operating as I have described it (excepting perhaps a disengaged spring), the Clarinet needs serious repair and should be taken to a good technician. The lower joint little finger key mechanism is the most difficult to adjust properly on the entire instrument. This area is not a candidate for alignment by an inexperienced person.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-02-26 14:30
Good try, J Mc A, my "take" is that it is the return spring [disconnected or broken] on the left hand little finger alternate F/C lever being described. YES, take it to a repairer!! Don
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Author: Michael
Date: 2002-02-26 19:55
My marching clarinet has a tendency for the lh C key to stick when it gets really cold (below 40). This probably isn't the problem, just an observation.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-02-26 20:27
It sounds to me like you are describing the left hand "pinky" F/C lever and its linkage to the right hand F/C lever. The problem you are describing could be caused by a disconnected or broken spring as Don pointed out. In this case you should be able to tell by looking at the spring through a magnifying glass. It could also be that one or both of the pivot screws is binding. A binding screw could indicate that a post is slightly out of alignment or the lever is slightly bent or the screw is too long, or the socket that the point of the pivot screw sits in is dirty (maybe one of the repair techs who follows this board can suggest other potential causes). To test this, try loosening one of the pivot screws very slightly (less than 1/8 turn) and see if that doesn't free up the lever. If it doesn't, try loosening the other one. If loosening one or both of the screws does work, be aware that the instrument's vibration, can cause screws to loosen themselves further until they fall out.
The lever on the right hand F/C key should align with the left hand lever. If it doesn't, you may have: (a) a bent left-hand F/C lever, (b) a clarinet with less than ideal "fit and finish," (c) a replacement F/C lever that didn't match your clarinet very well, or (d) something else.
Best regards,
jnk
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