 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Matt74
Date: 2014-04-02 21:42
Why does a reed, that has a good tone, and seems to be balanced, also squeak? Occasionally I get these reeds, which seem fine, except they are just a bit unstable and want to make little random squeaks. If there is anything wrong with them I would say they tend to be a bit edgy. I'm not big honking squeaks, little tiny squeaks, kind of like a scratching noise, rather than a chirp.
Thank you!
- Matthew Simington
Post Edited (2014-04-02 21:45)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-04-03 00:15
Sounds as though they are "heavier" to one side over another. You should try tooting both just turning one side to the other as well as playing with clarinet at correct attitude but angled off to one side then the other.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2014-04-03 00:26
If the tip rails or tip baffle on your mouthpiece are unbalanced, a high percentage of reeds will tend to squeak. If however the mouthpiece facing and baffle are reasonably symmetrical as they should be, then only reeds with a really poor cut or 'grain defect' (incipient split at the tip) will squeak.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-04-03 01:36
Could also be that your reeds are not "sealing" well against the mouthpiece. Do the sealing test to check. Holding the palm of your hand on the opening at the bottom of the mouthpiece suck the air out of the mouthpiece to see if the reeds seals. If it doesn't creat a vacuum it means it's not sealing. Then see my website to see what to do.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-04-03 02:28
These kinds of squeaks happen when the reed tip is curved more than the mouthpiece tip, leaving the corners of the tip open. A quick test is to move the reed a tiny amount higher on the mouthpiece.
Tiny fibers split off from the edges at the tip can also cause squeaks, as can the corner of the reed being too sharp.
Warping on the bottom surface of the reed causes leaks and squeaks. Put the reed on 600 grit sandpaper over a plate of sheet glass and sand the bottom flat, pressing down hard on the bark and not at all on the vamp.
Ken Shaw
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2014-04-03 02:55
Matt74 wrote:
Occasionally I get these reeds, which
> seem fine, except they are just a bit unstable and want to make
> little random squeaks.
It really depends on what you mean by "occasionally." Although all the advice you've gotten so far may be helpful, if it really happens with any regularity at all, I'd look very carefully at your mouthpiece for a distorted table, a nicked tip or side rail or any other irregularity that could interfere with a reed's vibration.
Reeds may squeak most often because of a hard spike of grain going into the tip, a weak spot in the grain, or a warped back - any irregularity that causes the vibrating surface to divide into partials. If it truly is a rare thing, then for me personally, although one or another of the suggestions you've gotten might improve a specific reed, it would be easier to just chuck it and use one that doesn't squeak. Life is too short.
Karl
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