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 Alternate F# on bass?
Author: gsurosey 
Date:   2010-11-20 06:47

Take the thumb F and add the RH lower 2 trill keys and you have an alternate F# fingering (I know, thanks Captain Obvious, but there's a question to follow). Does this work on bass? It doesn't on mine and I don't know if it doesn't work on bass clarinet or just doesn't work on my bass clarinet. I looked at the fingering charts on the site, but it stated that the throat register was the same across the board of clarinets. So, figured I'd ask.

Thanks

Rachel

PS: The clarinet range is so much higher than I thought it was (upon more review of the charts on the site). The highest note I can play consistently (if I remember a fingering) is that written A# at the end of the Copland Concerto (tough to play that at the end of an 18 minute piece, IMO). My teacher can play to the C above that. The amount of stuff in the charts above that amazed me. Of course, I know it's all overblown stuff, but it's still cool. :)

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 Re: Alternate F# on bass?
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2010-11-20 07:11

It works on bass clarinet. What model is your bass clarinet? In what way doesn't this fingering work for F# on your bass?

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 Re: Alternate F# on bass?
Author: tictactux 2017
Date:   2010-11-20 08:11

...because all this alternate fingering is doing is opening a tone hole exactly at the height of the thumb hole.
(and you need your thumb to close the vent under the throat A touchpiece, which would normally be taken care of of the middle finger's ring assembly)

--
Ben

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 Re: Alternate F# on bass?
Author: Ken Shaw 2017
Date:   2010-11-20 14:22

I've never played a bass where the thumb + bottom two side keys F# did not work (though the Leblanc metal contras lacked the side key). You may need a new pad on the second side key or the hole may be blocked with crud.

Ken Shaw

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 Re: Alternate F# on bass?
Author: gsurosey 
Date:   2010-11-21 00:09

@clarnibass: My bass is an older-than-dirt Bundy (serial number 9,xxx; same older Selmer Bundy logo as my 3,xxx eefer). I know it's older than I am.

The F is ok, but when I add the 2 side keys, stuffy sound comes out, but it's not F# (or anything close to a note really). It sounds like a dying animal. I do think something may be blocked; I'll take a closer look with a light.

How would a pad problem effect this since the key is open?

Rachel

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 Re: Alternate F# on bass?
Author: claritoot26 
Date:   2010-11-21 05:09

check the pad that goes down with the thumb ring...is it sealing all the way?

Lori

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 Re: Alternate F# on bass?
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2010-11-21 14:47

Check that the F# trill key pad opens enough, sometimes it just open a tiny bit if it's bent etc.

Check the F# trill key tone hole, maybe something is blocking it.

Maybe the pad is loose, falling a bit off the key but not enough to have a problem to seal, or the skin is loose blocking the hole.

A Bundy bass clarinet, like any other, should play this note normally.

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 Re: Alternate F# on bass?
Author: gsurosey 
Date:   2010-11-22 03:43

I found the problem!

When I hit the 2 bottom side keys, I tend to put enough pressure on them that the pad cup for the 2nd from the bottom hits the key above it and opens that one as well (so the bottom 3 are open instead of just the bottom 2). If I don't hit it as hard, the note plays.

Thanks guys

Rachel

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 Re: Alternate F# on bass?
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2010-11-22 04:08

Sounds like it's a problem of the F# trill key opening a bit too much. It shouldn't open the Bb trill key. Possibly the bumper cork is squishy natrual cork so easy to press too much even after the bumper hits the body (or whatever it is hitting).



Post Edited (2010-11-22 19:53)

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 Re: Alternate F# on bass?
Author: gsurosey 
Date:   2010-11-22 15:02

The key cup on the F# trill key hits the long part of the key above it that leads to its key cup. As long as I don't hit it too hard, it's ok.

Rachel

----------
Rachel

Clarinet Stash:
Bb/A: Buffet R13
Eb: Bundy
Bass: Royal Global Max

Post Edited (2010-11-22 15:02)

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 Re: Alternate F# on bass?
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2010-11-22 15:42

>> The key cup on the F# trill key hits the long part of the key above it that leads to its key cup. <<

Yes, that was already clear in your previous post, the problem and solution is most likely what I described in the post following it.

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 Re: Alternate F# on bass?
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2010-11-22 15:42

Replace the cork on the side F# key with something firmer and of the correct thickness so it doesn't compress. You want the side F# key to open as much as possible, but not so much that it makes contact with the underside of the Bb trill key - set it so there's around 0.5-1mm of a gap between the top of the side F# pad cup and the underside of the Bb trill key when the side F# key is fully open.

That's the one problem with inline side/trill keys - if there isn't enough clearance on the undersides of the F# and both trill keys, the pad cups can make contact with them which will either restrict the venting or open up the key that's above the one being operated. If venting is restricted (ie. pad cups make contact with the undersides of the keys) and there's enough metal in the key arms, the undersides of the offending keys can be filed to allow for more clearance.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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