The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2011-08-06 16:12
I was given a new reed the other day and absolutely loved it at first play - full bodied, easy blowing etc (I will not reveal the maker). Next day, I could not get it to play middle C (round the break). I explored every which way to get it to sound - clarinet angle, holes not properly covered etc. When I replaced it with my usual 'average' reed (I will not reveal the maker) - hey presto, the C pops up again. I am sufficiently inexperienced to know whether the reed can fail to sound on certain notes. Or whether it is just that moving from B flat to C around the break is hard for comparatively inexperienced players...
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-08-06 16:42
The reed is NOT the culprit..........not really.
If the 'newer' reed is a bit less resistant than you are used to using what may be happening is that you are putting more 'drive' into the move to the clarion register which in turn is closing up the aperture. The reeds will give you more or less usable time, varying response (consistent throughout the horn), brighter/darker sound, but it WON'T prevent specific notes from playing.
.....................Paul Aviles
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Author: Dee
Date: 2011-08-07 16:22
FYI,
If you are speaking of the C just above the break, that is NOT what is referred to as "middle C" in the overall music world. "Middle C" is the note one ledger line below the treble clef. The reference point for the definition is the grand staff used by piano players.
Corrected type "now" to "NOT"
Post Edited (2011-08-07 18:47)
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2011-08-08 12:43
It's possible you've got a tiny pad leak, so small it shows up with one reed and not with another. Often the clarion register note will become difficult while the chalumeau register note on the same key will still sound easily. Try slipping a very thin piece of paper under that key. Close the key. Hold the key down with the same pressure you normally use when playing, while pulling the paper out (very gently -- if it holds tight, don't force it). If the paper slides out easily, with no resistance or with less resistance than you feel under other keys when you try the same thing, then that pad probably needs adjusting by a technician. Very common problem.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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