 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ron Jr.
Date: 2005-11-18 12:52
A friend of mine just sent me a Leblanc Normandy 4 that I had lent her over five years ago. I cleaned it up and played in. The clarinet in general, sounded pretty good. But the clarion C and B notes were EXTREMELY resistant. I tried three mouthpieces (some were very open), different strengh reeds yet the resistance remained the same. Going from throat A to clarion B was like going from lifting a Q-Tip to lifting a Gallon of Milk; the difference in exertion is significant.
Please note that chalumeau E and F are both fine.
Other than a $400 dollar overhaul at the Brannens (which I would never do because I wouldn't want to insult their craftsmanship with a beginner horn) are there any suggestions of what can be done.
Thanks,
Ron Jr.
Post Edited (2005-11-18 18:35)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2005-11-18 13:24
Seems like a leak from one of the pads just above. You would get less of a reaction from the lower 12th so this is where you feel it. My favorite culprit is the Ab/Eb right pinky key. Often this is left too loose and the air pressure of playing raises the pad just enough to make what comes below it sound awful. You can tighten the spring by removing the two keys on that rod, bending (ever so slightly - at about a third of the length from the post) the spring inward with needle nose pliers. That key should have a little resistance to it. Or it's just a bad pad in that cup. If you are adventurous, you can buy some replacement pads for low money and float them in yourself just using an alcohol lamp (should be enough laquer in the cup to use again and again). I often use a BIC lighter just to see the look of horror and disgust on the faces of those around me :-)
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-11-18 17:13
If you don't want to get into smoky pad replacement, try first wrapping the whole pad and lever in a scrap of saran wrap. Just cover the pad and twist the excess around the cup.
If that helps, then you can fix th epad.
Bob Phillips
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