 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: boiler47
Date: 2010-04-20 16:00
There seems to be a lot of knowlege on this forum so I thought I would ask for some insight and help. I am 62 and dedicded to get my old H.S./College days clarinet refurbished. It is a Selmer Signet Soloist. Now that I have it back completely repaded I noticed that when I play the open G it sounds airy to me. I believe that there is no air leaks because of the instrument being completely refurburished. Is there anything I can do to get back to playing the instrument without the airy sound? Also is this a good quality instrument to start playing again? I will probably keep it for awhile after spending $325 on it unless someone tells me it is a very difficult instrument to play. Any help is much appreciated.
Texas
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-04-20 17:11
Sign up with a private teacher and start working on tone production. It may be a problem with the mouthpeice or reeds you are using, too.
Jeff
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2010-04-20 17:31
It's a decent student clarinet. The airy G is probably because the pad underneath the A key is not opening enough. As a temporary fix, and to see if that is actually the problem, I'd scrape off the corks on the thumb ring key and the key that it rubs on. It may be a bit noisy with metal touching metal, but it will work until you can get back to the shop to have them raise the pad properly. If the G is airy it may be flat as well.
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2010-04-20 18:21
GLHopkins is likely right, but you might try a softer reed, also.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2010-04-20 19:31
When in top playing condition, the Selmer Signet is a good performer. There's no need to go for something "better" at this point.
If only the open G is airy, I would return the horn to whomever repadded it for further adjustments. After you spent $325 on the job, they should cheerfully diagnose and repair this fault for you free of further charge.
If other notes are airy, I'd suspect you may have reeds that aren't properly conditioned, and/or not the correct model for you.
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Author: jasperbay
Date: 2010-04-20 19:36
Your Signet Soloist is at least an intermediate level clarinet, many considered it a low end professional in its day. All my Selmer Signets (and wood Bundys, made a little earlier) play very well.
If by "airy" you mean a lot of air for little sound, the reed is probably too hard, or not 'finished' correctly. Tom Ridenaur has an excellent video on U-tube detailing how to get a reed to play. Also, you should try several mouthpieces on your clarinet, that's your best bet for finding a 'quantum level' improvement in how the horn plays and sounds. Your Soloist is plenty good enough, your mouthpiece/reed probably not. If you can find a couple Vandorens to try out, like a B-45 , 5RV lyre, or M13, I'm fairly sure you'll like one of them.
Clark G. Sherwood
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2010-04-20 22:56
The Behn Overture mouthpiece ($35) is worth looking into. It's specifically designed for beginners. I'm using it to "start over" while rebuilding my embouchure, and like it very much. Others on this board have recommended the Fobes Debut, also designed for beginners.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: boiler47
Date: 2010-04-22 19:30
I would like to thank you all for your help. GL Hopkins, I wanted to let you know that I took my instrument in today to the gentleman who had refurbished it and he gladly adjusted the key pad under the A key to open it up a little. The horn sounds much better.
Again thank you to all.
Michael
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