 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Library Geek
Date: 2012-09-08 20:13
Hello. I have a Bundy low Eb bass clarinet, and when I play low G, it often sounds 'higher' or if I'm playing 2 notes. I started looking closely at the keys, and I noticed that the key that I put my fourth finger on has no pad. I'm wondering: is that key supposed to have a pad? Also, the key doesn't fit all the way over the hole, but touches the side of the hole. I'm thinking this is my problem (this has actually been an ongoing problem ever since I got my bass clarinet. The low G, F, and F# often sound 'higher' or like I'm playing 2 notes. Its been fixed a number of times, but always goes back to sounding like that. I know that at least a few times, it was me holding it wrong when putting my instrument together, and I put the keys out of alignment. I just got it back from being fixed--there was another key/pad clearly out of joint, so that has been fixed. When I picked it up from being fixed today, I just played a few low notes, but didn't notice anything wrong).
Thank,
Ann
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-09-08 21:42
When you say fourth finger, do you mean your right ring finger? On clarinets and other woodwinds, you don't include your thumb when numbering your fingers (and the thumb isn't a finger anyway!).
So your index fingers are numbered 1, your middle fingers are numbered 2 and your ring fingers are numbered 3. If you do happen to number your little finger/pinkie, then that would be numbered 4.
But back to the matter - the RH3 fingerplate doesn't have a pad or a tonehole directly underneath it as it remotely operates a key running along the side of the lower joint under the RH pinky keys. What could be happening here is the fingerplate is making contact with the body of the instrument directly beneath it directly under your RH ring finger (or RH finger 3 or RH3) and the pad isn't closing properly preventing the lower notes to respond properly, or the pad itself isn't seating properly.
The RH3 fingerplate can bend downwards in towards the body of the instrument as there's nothing directly beneath it to stop it apart from the actual pad (and there should always be a gap between the underside of the RH3 fingerplate and the body), so the touchpiece arm can bend down over time.
Basses are notorious for keys being bent and are far more fragile than regular Bb clarinets due to the lengths of the keys, so knowing how to hold the joints securely and without risk of bending anything during assembly/disassembly are vitally important on any clarinet, but even more important on bass and other large clarinets.
What I suggest you do is hold the lower joint with the fingerplates on top in your right hand palm downwards with your thumb hoding the low F pad cups closed and your fingers wrapped around the joint. The top joint with the main action fingerplates on top is held in your right hand with the palm upwards so your fingers close around the main action fingerplates holding them closed which also raises the linkage, then fit the joints together and twist them (back and forth) until the joints are together properly and line them up so your long Bb (xoo|xoo) works.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Library Geek
Date: 2012-09-08 22:21
Thanks for this. Yes, it is my right hand ringer finger, sorry. And, I forgot to add that it is a one-piece clarinet. I will be more careful putting on the bell, etc.
Ann
Post Edited (2012-09-08 22:23)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-09-08 22:24
Chris - Ann talks about a Bundy bass...no two joints to assemble (otherwise your suggestions are spot on).
Yes, the right ring finger touchpiece isn't padded. But it shouldn't ever touch the body. Quite possible that this prevents the corresponding tone hole from being closed.
(I remember that one vividly as it's operated by a mix of pressing and sliding against the key cup's arm, and I had an entertaining evening getting it to work as I wanted)
--
Ben
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