 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clockwiser
Date: 2007-10-08 19:56
I have a fairly old hard rubber Boosey and Hawkes Edgware (but looks quite new) SN 428902. It has a nice tone and the tuning is pretty good too.
However... the clarion register just squeaks nearly all the time! especially from F to C. It feels very resistant, and when I play quitely the overtones pops out which is very annoying.
Could this be a leak of the instrument? I tried with various leak test but to me it seems fine (the vacuum test), but when I blow alot of air into it the G# key/pad pushes open maybe this is because of loose spring..
Im sure it is the clarinet it self that is causing the squeaks, because I rarely squeak on my other clarinet. I have tried using different reeds and mouthpieces, but none cures the squeak!
Could anybody help me?? Clarinet repair in my area is very very expensive and I can't afford it. What might have caused this? Thank you in advance!!
Clockwiser
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-10-08 20:24
Have you tried having someone else play it? That's where I'd start. From there on it's a case of checking all the pads for proper seating. I'm not familiar with the keywork of your instrument but if there's an adjusting screw on the A-G# pair I'd check its adjustment. And so on. Sorry I can't be more specific.
Bob Draznik
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Author: hans
Date: 2007-10-08 22:23
You have already identified a weak spring, and that should be easy to diagnose by holding it down with an elastic band temporarily.
Then I would start in the same place as BobD recommends above.
Some common causes of squeaks that you could look for are listed below. This list is in no particular order and not exhaustive - it's a place to start.
- a dry reed
- overblowing
- accidentally touching a key
- the middle joint in a clarinet is not properly aligned
- using a "wrong" fingering instead of a better alternate
- a finger not covering a hole
- a pad not seating properly
- a weak spring not holding a key closed
- keys out of adjustment (e.g., the A key)
- unco-ordinated fingering
- a leaking joint
- a cracked instrument (in a wood clarinet)
- too much mouthpiece in the mouth
- a burr on the mouthpiece top rail
- misapplied lip pressure
- a reed is split
- the reed is not perfectly sealed on the mouthpiece
- a reed is too thin at the center of the tip or is stiffer on one side than the other
- a poorly designed, worn, or warped mouthpiece (a warped mouthpiece can be refaced)
- the mouthpiece baffle (the slanted top inside the tip) is too high
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2007-10-08 23:37
Two possibilities worth checking:
When you press firmly (in an attempt to stop leaks) on the thumb ring, does it minutely lift the top side key.
When you press down the right hand ring key (gently), does the A/D ring key close slighlty before the right hand ring key (indicating a bent bridge linkage.) Test with a narrow strip of cassette tape dragged from under the pads.
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Author: bwilber
Date: 2007-10-09 01:35
I would also check to see if the left thumb key on the bottom side might be plugged up. I would use a round toothpick for that job.
Bonnie Wilber
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