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Re: Quick question: What is a hasty pad?

Author: Brad Behn
Date: 2006-11-14 16:35
Attachment: Hasty pad diagram.bmp (900k)
Attachment: Register key Pinocchio.bmp (900k)
Attachment: raised register tube.bmp (900k)
Attachment: raised register tube with bent register key.bmp (900k)
Attachment: open register key with pinochio.bmp (900k)

Buffet A clarinets in particular have been criticized for their grunt issues and for decades repair technicians have tried many different things to “correct” the problem. Possible solutions are:

Shorten the register tube. Bill Brannen did this for me almost twenty years ago and it gave me rather poor results. Although it seems to remain the most common “fix,” unacceptable problems are a result of this compromise. In particular an already sharp upper clarion (B and C) become higher in pitch. Additionally, throat Bb and long B become airy and stuffy sounding. The throat Bb also loses focal power and resonance. However, when Brannen shortened the tube, my response did improve. The tube was shortened to about .515 inch.

Smaller I. D. register tube. By making a tube with the correct length (.581 inch) but reducing the inside volume, one will experience improved response, reduced likelihood of grunting on the high B and C notes, and a more centered sound that is more concentrated with a less spread tonal characteristic in the long tube notes above the break. One issue that may arise is if the inside volume is not large enough, the pitch of the throat Bb my go too low and become flat. Many R13 A clarinets have rather flat throat Bb intonation and this solution will only exasperate the problem.

Stock tube with Hasty pad. This is a very good solution and I don’t know why it isn’t done more often. I believe Stanley Hasty experimented with the register tube on his A clarinet and determined that by reducing the inside volume of the tube, it would help reduce response problems leading to upper clarion grunt issues. By making a conical pad with the pointed end protruding inside the tube (even when the pad is open) inside register tube volume is reduced, the grunt is reduced, and the sound is improved as well. Throat Bb gets a little more focused and the long B natural is not as spread sounding. Upper clarion B and C notes are lowered a touch as well.

Raised register tube and Pinocchio. This technique (it is a variation on the Hasty pad) is my favorite solution. Reset the register tube by floating it with wax so that it sits several millimeters above the body of the clarinet body (on Bb clarinets, this step is not necessary). This will severely reduce register grunt and response problems because it effectively works like a shortened tube, but it doesn’t have the airy stuffy sounding throat notes and long tube B natural because the tube is still long. Please note that the register key will need to be bent much more open to function with the raised register tube tonehole. Add the Hasty effect by making a small stick to the register key’s cork pad. The stick/Pinocchio should be about 5 mm long and have a diameter that is about 1mm at its fattest place (closest to the pad) and taper to a blunt point. I make mine out of Delrin rod because it is rather easily machined and handles climatic change without concern. I have include pictures.

Please note that with the Pinocchio technique one can experiment with a round toothpick. Simply press a toothpick into your cork pad (first, drill a small pilot hole) and try your clarinet. If your pitch of the throat Bb is too flat, just shave the Pinocchio thinner or shorten it with a razor blade. You will notice that the slimmer the Pinocchio becomes, the higher your throat Bb will become, but the compromise here is that your response will be reduced in the upper clarions…and the grunt will creep back in. With a little experimentation, I think you will find an amazing solution that makes for a grunt-free upper register, an in-tune throat Bb, and your long B, throat Bb will sound as clear and resonant as the other notes on your clarinet. Once you have found your ideal length, diameter, and taper of your Pinocchio, you can make one out of Delrin rod.

Delrin rod is available at most plastics distributors (look in your yellow pages under plastic, sheet and rood), and ask for the smallest diameter delrin rod available (probably 1/8 inch). Then simply chuck it in your drill and using sandpaper and a little practice you will easily be able to mill it down to the appropriate size.

The reason why I have spent so much time with this inquiry about the Hasty pad is because I am amazed by the results I am getting and I would like to say that it really works. It is well worth the time to spend an afternoon experimenting. I encourage all of you to give it a try. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Brad Behn
http://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com

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