 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ed
Date: 2002-06-23 18:28
I recently bought a Lyons Monarch Bass Clarinet and am having problems with middle c and b.
It seems that there's a lot of air coming from the octive key hole when I play these notes on the upper register. The lower e and f notes sound ok, but when I press the octive key they are distorted by the air flow through the octive key hole. I have just replaced the corks to the mouthpiece and neck, and have experimented with different reeds. I also removed the octive key hole sleeve and cleaned it. I did notice that it's size is tuned for the horn.
If anyone has a suggestion for this problem I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Ed
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Author: Al
Date: 2002-06-23 22:51
Hi Ed,
Let's call it the register key since it doesn't create an octave;
rather a 12th.
Since the low E and F "sound okay",it is likely that you may have other small leaks. There are many places that you can check but rather than trying to name all of them you should know that IF the lowest notes emerge successfully,even the slightest leak can affect the upper register.
How do the C# D,Eb etc. sound?
I'm not sure what you mean by "distorted" B and C.
Is the register key pad frayed or torn?
Does it open too much?(Widely)
Best that you get a repairman to check it out.
Best wishes,
AL
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-06-24 06:56
If the register key pad sits on a "pip" check that there is no blockage or fluff in the pip.
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Author: ed
Date: 2002-06-25 01:25
I agree with the register key term, and always heard the sax key called a register key, but felt that it should be called an octive key.
anyway, the d#, eb keys don't sound as bad as the middle c. it sounds like the air is really restricted, is hard to play, and has no tone quality.
I've given the horn the light bulb test--dropping a small bright light down , and looking for the light. I agree that there has to be a leak.
thanks for the reply.
ed
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-06-25 16:01
Ed -I am unfamiliar with your B C, [perhaps Dave Spiegelthal knows about it]. But, does it have the Double Register Key[ing] [DRK] ?[a "bridged" pad/key on the neck] to assist, by more-correct-location of reg. venting, the ease-of-playing/tone-clarity of mid-staff B,C, C#,D, D# as well as the rest of the clarion register. In nearly all of the basses I've seen [please help, Dave], to me, its a necessity, and on my Selmer 32/33 it functions very well [occasional adjusting needed] in "evening-up" the adjacent tonalities. We have discussed this many times before, [here and on the Yahoo bass-clarinet group site] so please Search to see if this available info answers your ?'s, so repetition may not be needed. We have quite a few "knowledgables" for help. Don
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Author: DLE
Date: 2002-06-25 22:18
Don, as you probably already now, I own a 70-year old Bass clarinet which does not have the extra key on the neck, and I find I have no trouble with 'alignment', or whatever you call it these days.
Ed: If it's the B and C in the Clarino(sp?) or 'middle' range then I'd check the padding of the two keys. If you've checked everything then I would not know what to suggest except that Bass Clarinets are quite touchy, and certainly with the one I have, they require a lot of patience. Also, I too have general trouble with these two notes - but I find this is equalised if one pushes more air down the instrument just when playing these notes (Just like on a normal b-flat clarinet, but to a lesser extent). That's how I was taught to it anyway. Though judging on the information you have written already on the subject, you surely know that and have tried that already.
-- Air from the register key hole. Hmmm. Check the ring or 'pip' - if it's not there then you should have your answer. (I Think - Not too sure about LyonsM)
DLE.
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Author: DLE
Date: 2002-06-25 22:20
Oh, and by the way - It's OCTAVE not octive. Perhaps Mark should add that one to the list at the top...
DLE.
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