The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Help with middle B&C

Author: NorbertTheParrot
Date: 2008-11-07 07:06

I have to say that this sounds to me like a very commonly-encountered problem, and I'm surprised nobody has said what I'm about to say.

I think the third-lowest tonehole (the one that closes for C# and below) isn't sealing properly. This commonly happens when the crowsfoot gets out of adjustment. The symptom is that middle-of-stave B sounds properly when you use both little fingers (one on a B key, one on a C key) but fails to sound when you close only the B key and rely on the crowsfoot to close the C key.

I admit that this explanation doesn't account satisfactorily for the failure to sound C, but it's still the first thing I'd look at.

Play B, being very careful that your thumb and fingers aren't allowing air to leak from the holes they cover directly. If the note doesn't sound properly, get someone to press on the third-lowest pad to encourage it to seal completely.

Does the note sound when they press the pad?

If not, get them to press each of the other pads in turn. It has pretty much got to be a leaking pad - there's no other likely explanation - and this is the easiest way to find it.

If you find which pad is causing the problem, then it remains to determine whether:
- the pad is defective
- the tonehole is uneven
- the mechanism is out of adjustment, as I suspect
- your finger technique isn't up to scratch.

Post Edited (2008-11-07 07:07)

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics

Author

Date

Help with middle B&C new

na1965

2008-11-07 02:14