 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ben Shaffer
Date: 2014-09-14 18:05
I'm an Adult learner and have been playing the Clarinet under a year. My main Horn is a Wood Normandy 4. The Horn generally sounds pretty clear when playing. The last day we've gotten some rain here in NC. The Humidity is pretty high with impending Rain.
My Clarinet now seems to have for want of a better word a bit of a stuffy sound. Ive been very vigilant about drying the bore as well as using a host of different reeds.... but it just doesn't sound as " clear" as it usually does... so is it likely the Humidity causing this? something else maybe?
Ive allowed a bit of time between playing sessions as well
Ben Shaffer
Normandy 4 grenadilla Clarinet
David Hite Mouthpiece
Micheal Laurie Reeds...2 1/2
Rovner Lig
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-09-14 18:32
How regularly do you have it serviced?
Only reason I'm asking is that over time, the top joint toneholes can become occluded with fluff and condensation that dries out and sits where the toneholes meet the bore causing the left hand and throat notes to become stuffy. You can only see this once you have the keys removed, so best having them cleaned during a service (which should be the norm) if you're unsure about removing keys and cleaning toneholes. I've only just serviced a Selmer clarinet where the toneholes were really badly occluded, so the owner should be pleased with how it plays now they've been cleared.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-09-14 18:37
Generally "stuffiness" says to me that there is a leak. Leaks can be caused by many things. Perhaps the change in weather caused some expansion or contraction that caused some binding somewhere that in turn causes a pad to not come down all the way.
First thing I check when I pick up a horn though is the "A" Key clearance under the "G#" Key. Make sure there is just a little play here. If not, just back off the adjustment screw there until there is. If these two keys are on top of one another with no clearance, often times the "A" Key pad can expand, causing the "G#" Key to raise off the tone hole slightly.
Now just to get a general sense if there are any leaks at all, you want to perform a "suction test." You do this one joint at a time; take the top joint and cover the holes with the respective fingers; place the heel of your right hand over the bottom opening; now place your lips upon the top opening as if you were going to play it like a trumpet, but instead just suck the air out of the joint. It should hold for a few moments, or ideally until you pull it off your lips with an accompanying "pop" of air rushing back into the joint. If the joint does not allow for this negative pressure - you have a leak and the resulting stuffiness.
Do the same for the bottom joint (you'll have to use a pinky to hold down the "B/E" key as well).
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: BobD
Date: 2014-09-14 18:52
Although I've never given it any thought I suppose that room humidity can affect resonances in the room.
Bob Draznik
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