 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: hustler08
Date: 2008-03-23 01:10
Hi all.
I'm a (VERY) casual player for 8 years and this problem which I had always had is getting on my nerves. I oftentimes get a big chunky squeak on the B and C over the break. I am able to play them smoothly if I slur them from other notes, but I most often get the squeak if I tongue them. The B is notoriously the worst note (most frequent squeaks). The squeak coming from the B sounds like a flat G over the break.
I don't have any issues with any other notes at all. My fingers aren't the problem as all other notes play fine. My clarinet is also good as I've recently got it overhauled.
My setup:
Buffet RC, Vandoren B45 mouthpiece (recently changed) + 3,5 V12 reed
Thanks so much in advance!!
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Author: jparrette
Date: 2008-03-23 02:09
Hi Hustler08,
The G your squeak is producing is the next pitch above the B in the instrument's overtone series. Two things come to mind......
Thing 1 - You have a leak somewhere, acting as a register key and causing the higher pitch. (Could be a bad pad, a hidden crack, leaking thumb or register tube or bad tenon cork)
Thing 2 - You're causing a leak by not covering a tonehole completely.
I know you mentioned that you didn't think these are the problems, but in my humble opinion they're worth further consideration.
You might also try other mouthpieces, but I'd be surprised if that was the answer.
Good luck,
John
John Parrette
CLARION MUSICAL SERVICES
john@clarionmusical.com
914-805-3388
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Author: Copland
Date: 2008-03-23 02:10
Oh my... are you me?
Seriously, I have this exact same issue, and I play almost the exact same setup as you (RC, B45, and 3 V12s, although I change up the reeds a lot).
I never solved my problem, I've just been dealing with it, but hopefully someone else can shed some light on the issue!
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-03-23 02:50
i think john is on the right track .
can someone else play your instrument and check it out for you?
then have someone else watch you play - check out your hand/finger position.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: hans
Date: 2008-03-23 02:59
hustler08,
Even after an overhaul it's possible to have something go out of adjustment so you may want to find an experienced player to test the instrument to diagnose the cause of the problem. I have had something similar caused by a weak A key spring that allowed that key to open under pressure and it was missed during overhaul.
Also, test the bridge adjustment carefully.
Hans
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Author: hustler08
Date: 2008-03-23 03:31
Hey guys and thanks for the replies!
I have had my clarinet teacher play on my instrument, with her barrel and mouthpiece. She could not get it to squeak. That was when I suspected that my then-6-year-old B40 mouthpiece might be the problem. However changing to a new B45 did not solve the problem (B45 does produce a louder sound with the V12 reed though for me).
She instructed me of a few technical advices, particularly my embouchure and breathing (my airstream was not as focused as it should be), and SOMETIMES I could get the B and C but it was never consistent.
@ jparrette: Thanks for your advice! I had the overhaul a couple months ago having all pads replaced, but the tenon corks weren't changed. Could that be a significant issue? As well, could you explain a bit more on the "hidden cracks"? Is there a way to spot them?
Thanks!
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Author: jparrette
Date: 2008-03-23 04:06
A common place for cracks is under the top two side keys, where they can't be seen without disassembly and careful inspection.
It is also common for air to leak around tenon corks that are too thin or worn out.
I'll also echo Hans' comment about instruments going out of adjustment, even soon after an overhaul. It's possible that the clarinet wasn't set up properly in the first place, or perhaps a key became bent.
Good luck, and let me know if I can be of further help.
John
John Parrette
CLARION MUSICAL SERVICES
john@clarionmusical.com
914-805-3388
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Author: job_man
Date: 2008-03-23 14:56
Hello there, Hustler08
Although all your other respondents may be right, my view is that you are almost bound to have this trouble with the set-up you have: B45 plus a 3.5 Vandoren V12 reed? In my experience of teaching endless pupils over 40 years, this toughness of the reed/mouthpiece combination is causing you to bite (a word that is forbidden in my teaching), and probably to blow (another forbidden word) too hard. Although this can possibly be accommodated over much of the range, I have found that pupils constantly have trouble when ascending into the second register, even when slurred, and certainly when tongued. I bet, also, that you have trouble getting to the third register smoothly from the second, and find it almost impossible to play third register quietly (and impossible to tongue up there)?
I would ditch the expensive Vandoren mouthpiece for a Yamaha cheap 4,5, or 6C mouthpiece (50 dollars or so), and use a 2.5 reed (just a plain Rico would be better than the unreliability of Vandoren cane).
I would nip over to give you a free lesson, but the air fares......
Hope this helps
John (job_man)
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-03-23 16:14
Although you say you've had an overhaul, that doesn't mean it was done perfectly. try this-
press your right hand B with the pressure you normaly would use. Hold that key there and with your other hand press on the pads that close. If there is any play in those pads, that may be the cause of your problem. Repeat with the right hand C, then do the same on the left hand.
To fix this you can apply tape (scotch works best as it blends in well) under the bottom right side B key, between the key and arm attahed to the C key. Try adding one or two layer at a ime until your problem is solved. If that doesn't help then your problem goes a little further.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2008-03-23 17:21
A common problem, I believe. My guess is the lower tone holes / pads do not seal properly, but there are other possible causes as well. Lots of good suggestions in the foregoing responses.
richard smith
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