 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-09-15 19:45
Recently I switched from a no-name mouthpiece to a Yamaha 4C (which was the only beginner-class mpc available at a halfway affordable price).
Now I am unable to get the lower chalumeau tones (C4 and below) right. I can play legato from no-finger G4 down to E3, but as soon as I try from E3 upward I overblow, ie get a "register-keyed" note. No matter how little or how hard I squeeze my lips, use single or double embouchure, I always strand in the clarion register.
The old mouthpiece has a long facing (some 25mm) and an open tip (2mm) and uses soft reeds; (for the Yamaha I got the recommended 2.5 reeds but tried with a 3 reed as well).
I must be doing something terribly wrong.
--
Ben
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-15 19:46
Does the old mouthpiece still work fine from C downwards when you try it?
The only other thing to check is to be sure you're not accidentally touching any side or cross keys, and that the long Bb isn't over-regulated so the right hand rings and the vent pad is possibly being held slightly open.
Check the adjusting screw on the throat G# - make sure there's a bit of play between that and the throat A key, or check you're not touching the A key.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2005-09-15 19:55)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-09-15 19:55
Yes, the old mpc works fine (it has problems in the upper register, possibly due to the long facing, that's why I switched in the first place)
Looks as if the reed cannot vibrate "at length", ie it automatically switches to a harmonic when damped by the larger air column. (sorry for the layperson's wording)
--
Ben
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-09-15 20:02
Have you tried different reeds on your 4C?
I noticed on baritone sax certain reeds kept flying off - the reed wasn't sealing along the side rails at the base of the slot.
Look into the mouthpiece from the reed end with the reed on, with a strong light shining through from the barrel end, and check along the side rails (from the inside) where the reed sits to see if any light shines through between the reed and side rails.
Ok, am I the only one that has bits of text suddenly vanish into thin air on here?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2005-09-15 20:03)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-09-15 21:30
>>>>
Check the adjusting screw on the throat G# - make sure there's a bit of play between that and the throat A key, or check you're not touching the A key.
<<<<
Hmm. Looks as if the G# might need a new pad. Blow test (corked end, fingers on) revealed a very faint hiss. You mean that alone can collapse the whole intonation?
Let's hope for a rainy weekend then... ;-)
--
Ben
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-09-15 22:24
Ben, if the G# needs a new pad, it can function similarly to the register key, simply due to its placement near the top of the air column....I seem to remember something about "nodes" from my "Physics of Music" class I took way back when...but the above is the "clarinetist's way" of explaining it...LOL!
Katrina
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Author: Burt
Date: 2005-09-16 00:25
A 2mm tip opening is gigantic; mine is fairly open at 1.1mm. Perhaps you developed a bad embochure from learning on it.
I agree with the comments that a leaky G3 or A key could cause the problem. A leak in any pad near the top of the instrument could cause the problem.
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Author: graham
Date: 2005-09-16 08:01
As Burt says, 2 mm is ridiculous. It is likely to have assisted in developing fundamental bad habits. Try experimenting with more or less mouthpiece in the mouth (my guess is that it may need more). You have to face the prospect of trying a number of variables before it settles down. Your teacher (if you have one) should be able to assist.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-09-16 11:44
>>>>
As Burt says, 2 mm is ridiculous. It is likely to have assisted in developing fundamental bad habits.
<<<<
This is exactly why I switched mpcs in the first place - before bad habits develop.
The specs of that beast look more like a bass clarinet mpc...
Anyhow, I'll replace the upper pads and see what happens then.
--
Ben
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Author: D
Date: 2005-09-16 17:06
As a quick extra check before you spend money on pads, do you know any other clarinet players? Get them to try their mouthpiece on your instrument, and also, your mouthpiece on your instrument. (You might want to get them to use their own reed and ask them to clean their teeth first......)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-09-16 20:08
I did spend my money on pads. The old ones were brownish (must've been a smokey club where the horn was played) and some would fall off at the mere touch with a finger nail.
Repadded everything. Still the same. Blow-tested, still the hiss at the G# pad. Turned out that the key wasn't exactly moving freely (rod ever so slightly bent), plus the less-than-optimal operation angle. Straightened, oiled, re-seated the pad with a minute layer of cork underneath et voilà! It works.
Keys that open (ie are held closed by a spring) obviously are more trouble-prone than those that are closed with the fingers...
Thank you all for your suggestions.
--
Ben
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