3 clarinet repair ideas that will improve your playing

[@Stew5B]

I lost a 1/4 inch off the end of the middle finger of my right hand and I have to bend the C/G flat key slightly of every clarinet because this finger is much wider than it used to be and it catches that key and it squeals. It took a couple of years to work out what was happening. I was very lucky the Dr decided not to take that finger down to the first knuckle or I would never have been able to play this wonderful instrument. Thanks for the video.

[@HouseLightProduction]

What is really frustrating is when you send your clarinet off for repairs and when it gets back it has issues and I finally tracked it down to one of your fixes that I figured out on my own and since I hadn’t played in years I was certain it was me so it took time to figure out.

[@clarinetninja]

I am glad I helped confirm the problem! Clarinet repair is a frustrating thing. Often times, it can be hard to find someone with the availability at the time the work needs to be done. I keep a spare clarinet around as a “just in case” measure. I played it for about six months just recently. Happy practicing! Let me know if I can be of help at any point:)

[@terrisserose]

This is why I am here Ugh $125 blown

[@picashlio3361]

Yes, im storming through your library and watching all your videos. They're very informative!😊 I need to have my second octave A flat key adjusted. It sticks out too far, and I constantly bump it when changing from F to anything below F, or when playing A. I have small hands lol. This is the only clarinet I've had this issue with, and the same model as my beginner. I also need a new register key since I've worn it down to the copper over the years.😂

[@clarinetninja]

Storm through!:) I love it. There is a surprising amount of variation in how a clarinet can feel (even if it is the same model from the same company). I think you are talking about second space Ab? I love that you have worn through the plating on your register key! When an instrument shows the signs of loving use it’s just another reminder of the important role it’s playing in our life:)

[@think2023]

G# A adj Synthetic pad on A Tiny tiny bit of high viscosity grease on contact. Adjust to virtually zero play. The adjustment will hold because synthetic doesn't swell with moisture.

[@andrewtaylor1189]

To demonstrate the problem with the little pinky on the B and C# / C key is to take a POSTIT note and the sticky part and tear off a couple of 1cm pieces. Put the post it note piece/s under the linking piece to create the miss-alignment by a fraction of a millimeter and th keys will not seat correctly without damaging the instrument.

[@lillianhusbymelien5471]

Thank you for this useful video that emphasizes what you should not do if you don’t know how to do it. I wasn’t aware of this,so it cost me a lot of money. Then about cleaning the holes: how can we clean the holes under the pads?

[@clarinetninja]

Cleaning the holes under the pads requires taking the keys off the instrument. That is a borderline idea for most people. It’s not incredibly difficult, but it takes time, organization, and patience. The keys need to come off in a particular order and the screws can be easy to lose or get mixed up.

[@61mab]

Really great tip, thanks, I have been focused on aligning the end posts of each section (guess I forgot after doing cork rebuilds) Thanks for that pertinent reminder. One of those sounds is very familiar. Took out one to prove it and definitely obvious when slightly askew. I have a collection of corks I use to check the seal and to remove points of light ingress checking for pad leaks with a barrel light.

[@Matchamiplays]

How to fix the do and re and ti second octive key problem its not working 😢😢😢

[@clarinetninja]

When you say it’s not working what is happening? Do you mean above the staff or in the middle of the staff?

[@twirls0]

hi so recently i changed some of the worn off pads of the upper joint of my clarinet specifically the pad of a key kinda hidden under the A-key and also the trill keys since i tried the suck test to determine if theres a leakage, and in fact there is so i changed it. so i tried again the test and it went well, i heard a click sound after performing the test but now i find my clarinet struggling to sound a G note its kinda resistant to blow i dont know what happened, could you try and help me with this? thank you!

[@twirls0]

aside from G note everything is decent, and also im kinda puzzled 'cause i can play a D, D# by pressing the little key in the bottom joint of the clarinet and C# (all are from altissimo register) but when it comes to E, man i've never heard myself play that note since the first time i learned the clarinet, i only hear squeak in that note

[@clarinetninja]

I have some guesses….but I want to make you see them as just guesses:) The click could be from a lot of things. Could be a pad with torn skin, spring popping off….I would think that the problem is in the G#\Ab key potentially in the spring there. There are only a few pads directly a part of making a G (second line G right?) that narrows it down. The next thing to look at is the cause of the problem. Pad or mechanism? Hope this helps:)

[@clarinetninja]

@@twirls0 I think it is definitely the G#. Check the screw on top of the A key and back it out a quarter turn

[@michaelshelley1289]

THE ONLY thing i drink before and during playing is water......I'm not putting all that gunk in my horn!!! ANY of my horns!!! I play many instruments....and I was taught as a young child learning to not eat or drink when you are going to play without brushing your teeth! I know someone who plays the French Horn....has had her horn for YEARS (it's a good horn) and is a Dr. Pepper fanatic....she drinks it WHILE she is playing and the instrument has NEVER had a bath!!!! I can't even imagine!!!! Just want to say one more thing......on squeaking......and no video I've watched has covered this...which is just unreal to me......BUT......in MY experience....if your chops aren't ready.....YOU WILL SQUEAK!!!! I play the alto clarinet in one of my bands........I can get through 2 songs before my jaw is completely gone!!! The Bb clarinet isn't a problem but the alto is....I thought it was the instrument....then after it was fixed I had no clue until I had air coming out of the sides of my mouth because my embouchure was shot....but surprisingly not ONE video mentions this....PRACTICE people.....that's the only way to improve that problem!!!!

[@clarinetninja]

I will make a video on the phenomenon of squeaking. That’s a great idea. Unrelated, I used to have a bit about pepper flavored soda that I did in my short lived stand up comedy career. It didn’t relate to the clarinet so it would not be relevant to this channel:)

[@ootlattle5450]

Ha! Very helpful….. so, clarinet manufacturers can’t radius the bridge key? Go figure.

[@clarinetninja]

I have to be honest - I don't know what radius the bridge key means! lol but there must be some reason they don't do it. It is very easy to accidentally take out of adjustment

[@ootlattle5450]

@@clarinetninja oops, years in engineering have tainted my perception.. I meant to follow the curve ( basically same center as the clarinet but larger radius).. on mine the ends are radiused in the opposite direction, easer to mate, harder to position.

[@mocatz1963]

I'm scared to buy a wood Clarinet now..

[@clarinetninja]

Don't be scared! you are now armed with the information you need to take care of it :) It's when you don't know to be scared that you should be scared!

[@wyrmcat8640]

Encouraging people to avoid clarinet repair if they have no experience only perpetuates their ongoing lack of repair knowledge. No risk, no reward. Learning through failure is ok. Nothing is undoable in clarinet repair. If you can turn a screwdriver, you can repair a clarinet.

[@clarinetninja]

I have never seen any evidence that what you are suggesting is true. Certainly, nothing is undoable. however, it's more expensive to have somebody undo it than fix it right the first time. Surmising that repairing clarinet is primarily about turning screws is far from what I have witnessed technicians do. If it's working for you - I suggest you keep it going.