May 30, 2008

I used to have a student who could not play squeak-free no matter what.  Every single note was a squeak or a squeal.  Hopefully you don’t have that same problem, but the reality is, squeaks happen to everyone from time to time.  Some are caused by reeds, embouchure, bad karma, whatever, and others by a malfunction of some kind with your instrument.

First, rule out the obvious.  Check your reed; is it centered properly?  Is it chipped, split, or warped?  Check your ligature.  Is it in the right position?  Did your brother step on it and try to bend it back into shape without you noticing?   Is your mouthpiece in all the way?  Check your hand positions.  Make sure all the holes are covered and you are pressing down the keys firmly.

Look inside the bell, up the bore.  Is there any foreign body inside your clarinet?

Assuming all those check out ok, it could be a leak.  Here’s a quick way to find out:

1. Take the clarinet apart.  
2. Hold the top joint in your left hand (as if it’s in playing position).  Cover all of the open holes (i.e., finger a middle ‘C’).  Press the bottom end to your right palm.  Blow into the top.  If air escapes, you have a leak.
3. Repeat the process for the bottom joint except hold it in your right hand (playing position), cover the open holes plus press down the alternate ‘E/B’ key.  Press the bottom end to your left palm, and blow.  If air escapes, there’s a leak.

Leaks can be the result of a bent key, missing or damaged pads or a weak/broken spring.  If a key is obviously bent, you could try to bend it back yourself but I don’t recommend it (unless you’re on stage and the conductor’s baton is up.)  Take it to a decent repair person in your area; they can fix it relatively quickly and cheaply.

Speaking of repair, here is a very high-level comparison of average repair costs from around the country:

Are you surprised at the regional difference (or lack of it)?

Have fun!

The clarinet clairvoyant

Comment (0) Read More...