 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: donaldlam
Date: 2010-03-08 17:18
I recently purchased a refurbished R-13 clarinet from the late 60's from eBay (I know...) and had difficulty getting the mid staff B and C to come out going from a G or an A. I had it adjusted and it worked fine for a few weeks and the problem came back. I recently sent another Buffet in for an overhaul, and it came back with the same problem. On this one (fromI also have problems with the mid staff B, C, and D responding--I have to finesse the clarinet to get these out. I recently borrowed a friend's Buffet, which is in great shape and he plays with no problems, and I had the exact same responsiveness problems. My main clarinet is an Evette & Schaeffer I've had for 30 years and still responds beautifully, with no overhaul (or responsiveness issues!). I use a Marcellus M-13 mouthpiece, regular Vandoren reeds (4) and a Rovner ligature. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2010-03-08 18:23
Where are you sending your clarinets for "overhaul"? Yours are the classic symptoms of leaking pads; not every shop that "overhauls" instruments is competent to be trusted with a pro quality horn. Here in Fairfax County Virginia I find that school instruments that are sent out for service usually come back worse than they left. Find yourself a talented and conscientious tech; the extra dollars will be well spent! [If you can get the Brannens, in Evanston, to work on your horns you will be getting the top-of-the-line craftsmanship!]
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Author: William
Date: 2010-03-09 14:59
If you borrowed your friends R13 which he plays with ease, and you still had the same resistance issues, then I would conclude that it is not the clarinet--it's YOU. Buffets do have some resistance going over the "break" that you just have to get used to. And that is increased--or more uniform--breath support. Same problem going from C6 to C#6--a little more air support is needed to make this transition smoothly, especially at a pp slur. Tom Ridenour eliminated these resistance issues in his design of the Concerto & Opus models for Leblanc and this was a big selling point of his for switching from the Buffets. I think you just need to give slurring over the break a lot of extra practice with good even breath support--even a little extra "omph" for those B4's and C5's to pop out with ease. If your friend can do it--so can you.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2010-03-09 15:33
When you are covering G and A, is there any improvement in how accurately the B and C speak?
Get in front of a mirror and watch (in turn) the ring fingers of both hands. If you miss my a hair, the notes in question won't speak.
Also: you might check to see how high the rings on the holes are, you may need them raised fractionally.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Paul Miller
Date: 2010-03-09 16:00
If it was fine for a while after you had it worked on, and now it doesn't respond, then you're probably looking at some pad seating issues. Take it back and have the guy look through the instrument again..
Also, when you're taking the instrument apart, make sure you're not twisting the metal on the bottom joint - you can jack up the instrument real quick by doing that.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-03-10 00:41
Chances are the 'crow's foot' is out of alignment, and/or the Ab/Eb key spring tension is too weak. Either of these will cause the 'long' clarion B and C (and perhaps a few of the notes just above them) to speak with excessive resistance or a delay.
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Author: RoBass
Date: 2010-03-11 06:31
I would state like Paul. If the effect was gone a while after overhaul procedure, I would expect a handling error. But David's hint is not so far away too.
kindly
Roman
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2010-03-11 12:07
If the issue is the instrument itself, than why does the OP experience the same issues on his friend's horn?
"I recently borrowed a friend's Buffet, which is in great shape and he plays with no problems, and I had the exact same responsiveness problems."
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: RoBass
Date: 2010-03-11 12:37
If the player's skill is near to the limit AND the clarinet has some minor lack ... the sum will go wrong ;-)
kindly
Roman
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