Hialite
11/4/2023, 3:04 AM Type: B-Flat Soprano Clarinet
Model: Artley Prelude (Modified)
When playing written middle B with the lower tone hole cluster (see image), the note starts normally then degenerates into an abnormal deep buzz or honking sound. No amount of reed adjustment has alleviated this. All other notes sound normal.
I doubt it's the pads on the lower cluster because releasing the register key and using those holes causes no issue. I think it's humidity or temperature related because it comes and goes at random. Some days it never happens, other days, this note is unplayable.
I have been playing for years and I have seen other clarinetists have issue with this and there was never an easy solution. Often, they just ditched that instrument then came back to it to find it "magically" fixed. Obviously, there is a real cause and I want to get to the bottom of it. Any ideas?
Model: Artley Prelude (Modified)
When playing written middle B with the lower tone hole cluster (see image), the note starts normally then degenerates into an abnormal deep buzz or honking sound. No amount of reed adjustment has alleviated this. All other notes sound normal.
I doubt it's the pads on the lower cluster because releasing the register key and using those holes causes no issue. I think it's humidity or temperature related because it comes and goes at random. Some days it never happens, other days, this note is unplayable.
I have been playing for years and I have seen other clarinetists have issue with this and there was never an easy solution. Often, they just ditched that instrument then came back to it to find it "magically" fixed. Obviously, there is a real cause and I want to get to the bottom of it. Any ideas?
kdk
11/4/2023, 3:22 AM Hialite wrote:
> When playing written middle B with the lower tone hole cluster
> (see image), the note starts normally then degenerates into an
> abnormal deep buzz or honking sound. No amount of reed
> adjustment has alleviated this. All other notes sound normal.
>
> I doubt it's the pads on the lower cluster because releasing
> the register key and using those holes causes no issue. I think
> it's humidity or temperature related because it comes and goes
> at random. Some days it never happens, other days, this note is
> unplayable.
Check the register vent. When you play long B (B4), the only hole that's open is the register tube. If something is blocking it - a torn pad cover hanging into the tube, dirt, water or any other partial obstruction - the sound of B4 will be distorted. Low E3 won't be affected because the resister key is closed.
Karl
> When playing written middle B with the lower tone hole cluster
> (see image), the note starts normally then degenerates into an
> abnormal deep buzz or honking sound. No amount of reed
> adjustment has alleviated this. All other notes sound normal.
>
> I doubt it's the pads on the lower cluster because releasing
> the register key and using those holes causes no issue. I think
> it's humidity or temperature related because it comes and goes
> at random. Some days it never happens, other days, this note is
> unplayable.
Check the register vent. When you play long B (B4), the only hole that's open is the register tube. If something is blocking it - a torn pad cover hanging into the tube, dirt, water or any other partial obstruction - the sound of B4 will be distorted. Low E3 won't be affected because the resister key is closed.
Karl
Fuzzy
11/4/2023, 4:03 AM I second what Karl said. Additionally, I've seen faulty "glue" let the register pad fall or flutter during play - only to have the air stream push the pad back into place for a bit...then repeat the process.
Fuzzy
;^)>>>
Fuzzy
;^)>>>
crazyclari
11/7/2023, 1:43 AM I would agree with above and add. I have had a number of the cheaper Yamahas that had some interesting behaviour like this. Fundamentally with these Yamahas it seemed to be an acoustic event which I could not attribute to any pads or seating. One really old one and a C100. I got the impression they were the same design, just decades apart.