 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetgirl1022
Date: 2013-09-24 06:35
My clarinet has been acting really weird. The notes up through the throat tones are really fuzzy and everything above the break is extremely resistant. I have gone through almost three boxes of reeds but that isn't making a difference. I had two pads replaced on the upper joint which helped a little but the problem is still there. I also had it tested and it isn't leaking. So far, everyone I have taken it to says that it sounds fine and that there isn't anything wrong with it. But I know it's not the same and this has been going on for a month now. If anyone has any ideas of what could be wrong please let me know! I would appreciate any suggestions. I have a Selmer Odyssey and I am playing on the Vandoren MO mouthpiece with V12 3.5 reeds.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2013-09-24 09:34
>> The notes up through the throat tones are really fuzzy and everything above the break is extremely resistant. <<
Can you explain what you mean by fussy?
What notes exactly "up through the throat tones"? From the low E? Or? Is it sudden or gradual i.e. becomes worse the closest you are to throat notes or from low E or any specific note it is different?
Is the entire range above the break resistan i.e. middle B and above? Does it vary? Are some notes fine like they've always been?
It's usually hard to tell anything like this from a forum post but with more details it might help.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-09-24 14:22
You definitely have a hardware problem. If you're lucky, it's that the adjusting screw on the throat A key is screwed down too far, causing the Ab pad to rise slightly off the hole. It could be a crack in the barrel or upper joint or a problem with the mouthpiece. Other less likely causes could be a leak around the register tube or thumb tube.
Try a different mouthpiece on your clarinet, and try your mouthpiece on a different clarinet.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2013-09-25 23:27
You say there are no leaks, so that would eliminate adjustment of the throat regulator screw.
Have you taken some keys off to check if there is a birds-nest-like lint build up at the bottom of the small tone holes?
One source of problems often not picked up by leak detection, is if the top side key is slightly bent down at its weak point in the middle, such that the harder you press down on the thumb ring in efforts to get good sealing, the more it minutely lifts that side key.
And a source of intermittent leaks is when the tip of the throat A key spring does not move freely. This can be caused by rust, or a groove worn into the timber where it contacts the timber.
Yes, as has been said, check the register vent for build-up of lint or other contaminant. To be certain, take the key off, put some light in the bore, and look down the vent. (A pipe cleaner, used for cleaning, can easily push a plug of lint through, then re-lodge it as the pipe cleaner is removed.)
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-09-26 00:42
I agree with Ken about the screw on the top of the A key but that usually causes squeaks through out the instrument. Try a different barrel. Does your tech have a presure instrument to make sure there's really not a small leak on one of the upper side keys? Though that would probably cause other problems instead of stuffiness. It's possible there's something wrong with your mouthpiece, have you tried the suction test on your MP to make sure your reeds are sealing? If your reeds are not sealing, fault of the reeds or the MP, that will cause all types of resistance problems. Play your MP on a different clarinet to eliminate that and then try a different MP on your clarinet. If your MP - reeds are sealing there has to be a problem with the clarinet. Also, have a friend play your clarinet and see if they notice the same problem.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-09-26 00:49
See if it plays any better when using a softer reed, so try it with a 3 instead of a 3.5.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2013-09-26 07:48
Leaks can cause your situation. Is the thumb tube or the register tube loose?
Sometimes there are leaks through tiny pores into the tone hole from the outside and these can be fixed with laquer or fingernail polish. How long can the upper joint hold a suction with a cork plugging the bottom of it's bore while you suck a vacuum on the top? Less than 5 seconds indicates a small leak.
Or could one of the springs be a little too weak? Good luck!
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-09-26 11:56
clarinetgirl1022 wrote:
> ...I also had it tested and it isn't
> leaking.
How was it tested for leaks?
It's still hard after all the questions and answers to know how much if the clarinet doesn't feel right. If it's the whole instrument, both chalumeau and clarion, and there truly are no leaks (depending on the answer to my first question), it suggests the problem is somehow with the mouthpiece or the reeds themselves. Maybe some hard-to-see damage to one of the mouthpiece rails?
Karl
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2013-09-26 12:08
Lots of good replies already. Put the barrel on the upper joint and test together for leaks. The suction test is unreliable. Many shops use a magnehelic gage which puts pressure in the instrument.
Steve Ocone
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