 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kazza3
Date: 2012-09-01 09:24
When I practiced today, my chalumeau and throat notes in particular were much flatter than usual, complete with that particular kind of tone flat notes there tend to get. This is the first time this has happened, and did not happen in the previous week's practices or in a performance in that week. I couldn't see anything notably wrong upon inspection of the clarinet, the only explanation I could think of was that the reed I was using was softer than usual (well, the same kind and grade as usual, but very obviously softer within that grade). However, I'm not that kind of pitch effect is possible solely from a reed, and it hasn't happened upon previous uses of the reed. I didn't have time to try another reed, or, to be honest, do serious problem solving before asking here, but I have an orchestral performance tomorrow. Any other possible explanations to look into?
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-09-01 10:28
When I'm going flat and dull, it's usually the reed that's about to roll over and die. Easiest thing to do is to take a fresh reed and see if things improve.
With an upcoming performance, it'd be wise to have two or maybe three playable reeds at hand anyway.
--
Ben
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2012-09-01 14:32
Have you cleaned the register key tube recently? Take off the register key and clean out any gunk in there. I have had the same issue and this fixed it.
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-09-01 15:28
The obvious thing is to try another reed or two, it only takes a few seconds. If the problem persists, come back here.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Phurster
Date: 2012-09-02 03:03
Take of the A and G# keys as well as the resister key and gently clean the holes with a pipe cleaner.
Chris.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2012-09-02 04:15
How low into the chalumeau does the flatness continue? If below throat G or F#, it isn't likely to be dirty tone holes - the G#, A and register keys are all closed and even the little hole above the LH 1st finger ring closes once you reach F#. It might be different if only the throat notes were affected.
By this time, you've probably changed reeds and fixed the problem.
Karl
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Author: Kazza3
Date: 2012-09-03 05:51
Thanks all- indeed, it was the reed, and so the performance was fine, but it's all good advice for another occasion. And Mr Palanker, I know, but something urgent came up during the beginning of my practice before I could try, and I knew I wouldn't have another chance before my performance, so I thought I should have some other ideas up my sleeve in case it wasn't the reed.
So, what could cause a reed to do this? I've never experienced or heard of such a profound pitch change from a reed before, and it was broken in, etc. The flatness was mainly down from the throat notes to middle C, but did also affect the lower chalumeau too.
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2012-09-04 15:27
How new are you to playing? It could be that you are getting the swing of it and need to move up in your reed strength.
Otherwise, try making sure that you are putting the right amount of pressure on the reed by playing with only the top two pieces and a tuner. The pitch should be a written Ab (concert F#/Gb) and should stay nice and steady. Play long, steady tones. Start with4 beats, then 8, then 16, then... well... that's probably enough for now.
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-09-05 08:23
Reeds collapse. Sometimes the reeds die right away, some can last a few weeks or much longer. When the reed collapses and starts to die the actual strength of your reed can take a huge dip.
Lets say you play a 3 strength reed. When the reed or reeds I should say start dying, that 3 strength reed can fall to a 1 1/2 strength or less. When this happens the notes will go flat. There's not too much you can do to save a dead reed. The fibers have broken down.
At the butt end of your reed you can see the fibers and with a magnifying glass you can actually see inside the fiber and you will notice that the center is hollow. Oh, you will probably have to sand the butt end smooth with 600 grade sandpaper. You can use 400 or 1000 grit. Doesn't really matter as long as its smooth. When you look at the butt end of the reed I find that the more fibers you see the better the reed. You will also notice that the fibers can be thicker or thinner compared to other reeds. I like the fibers with larger holes, because in general the larger holes indicate more mature cane.
Here's something fun to do with a new reed. Dip the reed in water and don't wipe off the water. Now blow into the butt end of the reed. You may have to blow pretty hard. Just past the bark of the reed look at the vamp, the vamp means where the bark ends and the cut of the reed starts. Look at the reed when blowing into it and you will see air bubbles popping out of the reed!!! This doesn't mean anything other then reed fibers are hollow and when you blow into the butt end of the reed there is air going completely through these long fibers! Kind of cool to show off these bubbles to your friends! You may get that WOW look from your friends!
When you replace an old reed and slap on a new reed have you ever noticed how the new reed is a bit stiffer compared to the old one? Well it's pretty hard to support a weak reed, thus your sound will go flat on you.
Hope this helps.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2012-09-05 08:30)
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Author: Kazza3
Date: 2012-09-07 10:18
Yeah, I assumed it was some kind of unusually quick fibre fatigue/degradation. I'm afraid, Sean, that I've been playing for 9 years, but don't have a proper teacher at the moment and thus come here to ask stupid questions.. and pitch is usually fine, but thankyou. And haha, that's some interesting stuff, Bob.
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