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Re: Why does my clarinet squeak on the middle b, d, and c?

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2012-05-06 22:15

pandaplane wrote:

> I have a Buffet E11 clarinet, and I've heard that a lot of
> people have trouble with going over the register on this
> clarinet, so do you think that my clarinet it the problem? I
> also use a 4 rico reed; should I try to get a different reed?

I'm assuming you mean the long B4, C5 and D5 at the clarinet bell.

It probably *is* the clarinet, but not because it's an E11 or that "a lot of people have trouble with going over the register on this clarinet." You've probably either developed a new major leak from a pad in the lower section or had a lot of small leaks gradually get worse until the cumulative effect is the same as a big leak. Have a tech go over it.

You can get an idea of where a problem might be and how much of leak is involved by holding each section separately as if you were playing it (with all of the holes covered), closing the end with the other hand and then sucking all the air (or as much as you can) out of the closed up section. If you can't get a strong suction for a few seconds, there's an air leak somewhere in that section, maybe because of a failing pad. It's also possible that you've managed to bend one or more of the long rods at the bottom of the clarinet, maybe when putting it together, which might push a pad and its cup out of position and cause an air leak.

Reeds could certainly be an issue, especially if you've changed reed strength or brand recently or the reeds you've been using are suddenly different. But if you've only had this problem recently and haven't changed anything, the most likely cause is a leaky pad and the fix (replace the pad or pads or straighten any bent key rods) is very easy for a competent repair tech.

Good luck,
Karl

Post Edited (2012-05-06 22:17)

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