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 Alternate Upper Register Bb Problems
Author: wjk 
Date:   2006-01-08 19:43

The alternate upper register Bb (register key and xoo/x00) is very stuffy and hard to play on my R-13 Bb clarinet--what should be adjusted? When do others use this fingering?
Thanks----



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 Re: Alternate Upper Register Bb Problems
Author: charlie_star_uk 
Date:   2006-01-08 20:07

the pad above the first finger of the right hand might not be covering properly.... experiment and see.... the amount this closes can be affected by the positioning of the two joints. if you look at where they join there is a lever system that only works when the clarinet is together. try twisting the bottom half clockwise (when looking down from a playing position) this should make it close more. i think it is clockwise!! if it gets worse turn it the other way!!!
charlie

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 Re: Alternate Upper Register Bb Problems
Author: Aaron 
Date:   2006-01-08 20:10

this was also a problem on my clarinet, i just cut a small square of bandaid and placed it on the bridge. this allowed everything to seal correctly and the note spoke.

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 Re: Alternate Upper Register Bb Problems
Author: Bob Phillips 
Date:   2006-01-08 20:11

Try twisting the lower joint counterclockwise as you look down the horn from the mouthpiece. That will push the upper part of the bridge mechanism up on the ramp that connects it to the lower joint tone hole rings and close the "bis" pad on the upper joint more firmlyagainst its tone hole.

If you have to turn the lower joint so far that it uncomfortable to play, you'll need to thicken the cork on the bridge key.

I find that the adjusting screw up on the "bis" key just punches a dimple in the cork and can't be relied upon to make this adjustment.

Good luck,

And when you have it working, let us know if the alternate bottom line Eb plays in tune.

Bob Phillips

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 Re: Alternate Upper Register Bb Problems
Author: charlie_star_uk 
Date:   2006-01-08 20:15

the note has a more muted, less bright sound. it can be used when wanting to come in very quietly.
charlie

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 Re: Alternate Upper Register Bb Problems
Author: Tom Piercy 
Date:   2006-01-09 19:17

The 1/1 Bb fingering you mentioned is also very good and technically useful in some fast "arpeggio" sections; a few examples: coming from or going to the F below the 1/1 Bb; coming from or going to the D above the 1/1 Bb; going from the Bb 2 octaves lower than the mentioned Bb.

There are many other places where that fingering is very useful.

Tom Piercy

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 Re: Alternate Upper Register Bb Problems
Author: TheButler 
Date:   2006-01-09 19:49

I didn't know about that fingering... it's very useful for a spot in Adagio-Tarantella where you go from middle D to F - 1/1 Bb - high D
I have to perform the piece in 2,5 weeks so thanks for mentioning this!

- Koen



Post Edited (2018-07-16 17:58)

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 Re: Alternate Upper Register Bb Problems
Author: David Peacham 
Date:   2006-01-09 19:56

As others have said, the problem is almost certainly the bridge mechanism. Hold down the right-hand rings. If there is any play in the pad between the left-hand first and second rings, then the bridge mechanism is out of adjustment.

I find that fingering to be distinctly flat on my Leblanc: I use x00/0x0 instead, or, better still, x00/x00+RH sliver key. In the lower register, however, it is so sharp as to be unusable other than in very fast passages.

-----------

If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.

To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.


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 Re: Alternate Upper Register Bb Problems
Author: SVClarinet09 
Date:   2006-01-09 20:09

usually a piece of cork on the bridge works...same thing happened to me last friday

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 Re: Alternate Upper Register Bb Problems
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2006-01-09 20:39

It also could be a tonehole which wasn't made quite straight. My first R-13 had just that and the 1/1 Bb had a bit of a warble.

Cool effect when needed, just that I never did need it.......



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 Re: Alternate Upper Register Bb Problems
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2006-01-09 20:39


[ Portions deleted. Chris P. is an employee of Howarth's and did not disclose such until much later. My apologies for missing this and letting Chris P. misuse this BBoard. Mark Charette ]

Anyone here know why some flute players are a bit snotty about seeing adjusting screws on expensive flutes? I think they're vital for precise adjustment rather than shims (or bending!), and if anything, they could do with more of them!

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