The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

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Re: Throat Bb

Author: GBK
Date: 2006-01-23 05:11

The throat Bb is one of the weakest notes on the clarinet, due to the compromise location of the register key vent. Resonance fingerings are often used to help focus this note.

First, make certain that the vent tube is clean and free of debris. Remove the register key and carefully clean out the tube with a pipe cleaner.

Make sure the clarinet is adjusted correctly

Check the opening of the register key. It should be open to about the thickness of a (US) nickel.

If the register key has a cork pad, beveling the pad to a truncated cone shape may help.

Check the opening of the throat A key - is that note also stuffy?

Check all pads on the upper joint for loose or torn membranes.

Try some of the standard resonance fingerings for throat Bb

Here are 3 resonance fingerings to try:

The Bb resonance fingering which for my R-13's produces the most pleasing tonality and focus is:

R + A key o o x / o o x +F/C key

When possible, that is my preferred choice in exposed Bb passages.

Another good choice is:

R + A key o x x / o x x

Both fingerings above will clear up the Bb, with the first one raising the pitch a bit more.

There are a number of other possibilities, including this one (which I have always thought produces too much resonance):

R + A key o x x +C#/G# key / o o o

There are also slight variations for all of the above fingerings. Experiment and find the one that works with your set up ...GBK

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