The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Is this normal adjustment?

Author: clarnibass
Date: 2023-02-23 12:58

>> the lower 1 and 1 Eb is often sharp <<

This fingering is pretty much always sharp. It is mostly used for clarion Bb as an actual note, or for Eb in some cases (fast line where it's much more comfortable, etc.).

>> although there is slight play in the bridge when I push on that ring while holding down the right hand rings <<

If you mean that, when you only press the right hand ring keys, and then when you physically press the left hand D/A key (second ring) you see it moving down (i.e. pressing the right ring keys doesn't close the D/A key) then it is out of adjustment. Play the 1-1 fingering Eb and Bb and while playing press the key itself (not the ring - the part with pad on it) with your left hand finger. Does the tone improve? If it's out of adjustment it can make it sharper, weaker or not even come out sometimes.

This is a separate issue from the ring/key height when not assembled and it's best to have this adjusted if it's not. The best adjustment for this is for the D/A key to completely close by the right hand key with slightly less pressure than when closing it with your finger.

Also check that the sections are aligned correctly. Having them misalign can cause this to be out of adjustment on most clarinets (very few clarinet have a better design but most don't).

>> But my main question was whether the height of the second ring unassembled is normal and just part of the way this instrument is designed, or whether it is something to have adjusted? <<

See the last two paragraphs in my previous answer, they answer exactly that. In short it is normal. It's not really a part of the "design" so much, but whether they put a bumper to stop it from moving more or not. As long as you never bump the bridge keys when assembling it doesn't matter. It's more convenient to have a bumper there for the reason already mentioned.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics