Clarinet Problems! The Most Common Mechanical Problem...

[@shellyfedako3495]

Thank you so much!! Homeschooling mom of 7 who doesn’t have the $$ to take my clarinet to a repair shop. I’ve been so frustrated, and I won’t be anymore because you helped me solve my problem!! Thanks so much.

[@lydiaking6680]

This was so incredibly helpful. I’ve spent three or so years just believing that the middle b was hard for some reason. I can’t believe I fixed it so fast. Thank you!

[@provokemecambridge]

Like so many others have said - I have been struggling with middle b for years, in fact since buying my second hand clarinet. I even took it a highly regarded specialist in Cambridge who just wacked a new cork on the mid-joint. Then after trying your suggestion, hey presto! The problem is fixed. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@muchnessmama]

Played from 5th to 12th grade and 4 years in the Marine Corps band. It is amazing how many little things like this I never learned in all those years. I'm about to pick it up again after not touching an instrument since 2005. Wish me luck!

[@itsmeredithbridges]

I was in the Marine Band too!!! 29 Palms!!

[@fredpeitzman1862]

Thanks so much! I played in a July 4 concert yesterday and half way through couldn't get any sound out on middle B and C. Found your video today and it works! Thanks so much. Nice to know that at 82 I can still be taught!

[@juliehebert9582]

Hi Michelle, excuse the pic. That is my son. I have been playing clarinet for over 30 years. But it's been sitting in the case for several years as my profession has taken me in a new direction. Tomorrow I'm going to be performing in an alumni concert with my youth orchestra. I got my instrument out today to practice the music. And I could not play B. No time to get a repair before tomorrow. So I went to youtube thinking I might find an answer. Low and behold, your video popped up. And your suggestion on the bent key is exactly the problem I was having. I used your tips and now my B works. Hooray! I'll be able to play the concert without faking every time B appears in the music. Thanks!

[@christineahn2216]

OMG FINALLY SOMETHING WORKED YOUR A LIFE SAVER!!!!!! My lower F wasn't working it sounded so flat and croaky! I was so angry cause I couldn't fix it!😣😡😠 but now it's fixed I think you've earned your self a new sub!😄😊

[@bellellie98]

I know this video is 10 yrs old, but girl, you just saved me a long wait on having my clarinet repaired!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

[@MrDlm44]

Yup, most of our problems we cause ourselves.

[@ClarinetMentors]

Sigh....So true...At least we (theoretically) have the means to correct them.

[@jessielynch5225]

I've had this problem for a few years and I thought it was just me!! This is a life saver thank you sooo much!!

[@wierdtakeover]

This is so helpful, thank you so much! I'm constantly having the problem with the top pad not being closed all the way so I'd only get a squeak or nothing at all when I try to play B. Now I know how to fix it if there's a problem with my B before a competition! Thank you!

[@ClarinetMentors]

+Weirdtakeover On many clarinets, these keys seem to go out of adjustment every few weeks. Some players will wrap a rubber band around them to hold them closed in the case, and that helps. At any rate, knowing how to tweak it when you need to can really help!

[@user-fp6jh2os5m]

Im not able to play c. The c thats in the F A C E staff. I have all my fingers down and I'm blowing hard but no sound comes out. Helppp

[@zoeelizabeth2167]

Try fixing you mouth

[@theadventuresofdownsyndrom1016]

Try pressing harder on the c key

[@rainw2482]

Make sure all your fingers are covering the holes. Talk to your director or take it to a shop nearby. It might be an instrumental problem. Don’t listen the the other dude, you shouldn’t press harder on the keys because you can bend or damage them.

[@4punkstar]

@@rainw2482 I cant play the C in the F A C E either.. I try to go from B (In the E G {B} D F) but they both sound the same.. what do I do @-@

[@rainw2482]

Sorry for the block of text, I can’t skip a line on my phone :(

[@PatBellenie]

Hi Michelle, a great video which gave me confidence to try a small adjustment to retrieve my B! It worked, thankyou. We are so lucky to have you at hand for all your clarinet advice.

[@zc38860]

OMG!!!! Thank you sooooo much!!! This key hasn't been right since my clarinet came back from a major service. A little tweak and it's all good again!! You have saved me a journey and probably money too!!

[@randyking9489]

Gets out of adjustment so easily like you said. Took my clarinet to tech every 2 to 3 months for just this one adjustment. Rest of clarinet played fine and high D played fine. Thanks Clarinet Goddess

[@nigelmattock8112]

I am an absolute beginner ( although ripe in years ) and the several videos you have posted, which I have been avidly watching, give me much hope ! Thank you for the clear and pleasant way in which you present each topic.

[@ClarinetMentors]

Nigel Mattock Hi Nigel - There is lots of hope! You can improve on clarinet quite quickly if you understand the basics. Just in case you haven't seen it - I have a pdf for beginners, that includes a set of videos just to help get started. You can find it at: www.clarinetmentors.com/resources/HowToPlayClarinetForBeginners.pdf

[@janlabij7302]

Hi, Ms. Anderson. I tried to get the videos on How to Play Clarinet for Beginners, but my screen only said "error 404"

[@barryw9473]

Wonderful. Your advice was spot on. At first I thought it was me, but the lowest pad had a bit of movement, I tried your fix and now all is well.

[@RatPfink66]

Thanks for the tip. I'd been doing it wrong all these years and trying to change the height of the bottom E/B pad. I did it your way and got better results in minutes.

[@clydeforland5638]

LIFE SAVER! If I would have had this knowledge while teaching band, it would allowed my students to have more playing time! I appreciate this more than know!

[@bluefrank2413]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER! I HAVE AUDITIONS IN A FEW WEEKS AND MY B KEY HAD ISSUES!!!

[@debbiekingston5166]

Thank you for the helpful hints. I am a new clarinet player under Raymond Lacroix.

[@ronflynn383]

Great tip! I did have a delay when playing B that I had not even noticed. Such a tiny adjustment with great results.

[@belibeki]

Thank you Michelle, I solve the proplem with my B key, as you said. Very efficient, without help of my repairman. Very useful clip!

[@allennoftz6610]

Thank You so much. I had my clarinet to the music store twice and they did not fix this. I have several solos to play in our christmas program and I was about to pass this part onto someone else that had a better working clarinet. You saved me !

[@absolutetruthgirl]

Thank you so much!! With your helpful tutorial I was able to fix 2 broken clarinets! 💞

[@mikegomes3856]

Thank you for the video. I have an old centered tone selmer clarinet that was recently repadded. Middle B and C can be hard to play. I am going to attempt your repair method that I saw on the video. If it doesn't work. no choice but back to the repair shop.

[@craigphillipson2892]

Thanks for this video. This was so helpful in knowing it is the clarinet and not me that needs adjusting.

[@jilljarrell]

That was exactly the note that was giving me issue and your little adjustment tip fixed it. Thank you! Now back to playing Song of India!

[@profitleads]

I've restored clarinets (and some flutes) for kids for over 40 years now (I give them away. I do not sell them) and the problem here is one of the most common that I find. The timing between the C and B pad closures is critical to making the upper B easy to blow. Nobody can wreck a clarinet faster than a young kid who is just starting his or her journey into the clarinet world. The quick fix suggested here is a good one and a likely technique for a band director to use when a clarinet student complains about the difficulty of hitting that B note.

[@jan4052]

Thank you so much for this. I was finding it almost impossible to play the alternate fingering of middle b. I did the check you suggested of the pads and the higher one did have play in it and I adjusted as you showed and it is so easy now!

[@abby-cm8nb]

Thank you sooo much!!!! This recently has happened to me and I did not know it had to do with one of the pads not closing down all the way, but now I am aware and getting my clarinet adjusted today!

[@tarajernigan2353]

Thank you! That solved my problem. I bought a super cheap B-flat clarinet for the purposes of learning (my real goal is the E-flat but it is harder to follow lessons that are usually in B-flat with that instrument) and am also using it to learn to make my own repairs (since it was a cheapie and intended for learning). The alternate fingering for B wasn't sounding at all, and you helped me fix it right up, and learn a trick, too.

[@nigelmattock8112]

Thank you, Michelle, for pointing me in the direction of the pdf for beginners. A couple of days ago your first newsletter ( well, the first to me ) arrived; I must say, having studied many of your videos, I am quite staggered that such top quality tutorials are free. That is a very generous attitude towards aspiring players. As I wrote in my earlier message, your teaching technique is remarkably clear ( particularly and especially for a novice ) and you give huge encouragement with your most pleasant and engaging style. If, by the end of this year, I am unable to play the simplest tune, it will be entirely my lack of application. I have no plans other than to be able to pick up a tune solely for my amusement and to have one of my daughters 'recognise' what it is ! That would be my simple goal. Nigel ( Nottingham, England, in weak end-of-summer sunshine )

[@ClarinetMentors]

+Nigel Mattock Thanks for the kind words Nigel! I'm sure you'll be able to give your daughters a few tunes with your positive attitude! Good luck with it.

[@pekoV]

oh my god, thank you so much!!!! this was so helpful… was about to send this to repair because i thought something was jammed, then i found this video! (its a school clarinet and our band has a budget. im glad i was able to fix it)

[@peterrogers4170]

A wonderfully clear explanation. Thanks so much, x

[@jannepunski-hoogervorst634]

Wow I actually can’t believe this. I didn’t even know my clarinet had this problem, really just thought it was me... fixed it with your small tips, thank you so much Michelle.

[@nr3rful]

Great tip, as usual. Thank You Michelle

[@paulkafant1008]

I don't know if this makes sense but if anyone sees this I have a concert tomorrow and whenever I'm playing a high note it just stops playing and no air will go through the instrument and it feels like I'm just playing into it closed off at the bottom

[@audreesss]

Paul Kafant I can play all the high notes except b or c and it feels like I’m blowing into both too

[@ethancampbell9096]

Maybe a thicker reed might help

[@audreesss]

My band director said it’s because I need more mouthpiece in my mouth and it helped a lot!

[@ethancampbell9096]

@@audreesss that makes sense. Glad it worked!

[@alana3435]

@刘佳苗 bc he's tagging her. 🤯

[@karasorrell6143]

This saved me, my b would not come out at all, and now it works so easily, it was so frustrating, and now I am so happy

[@Leo01471]

Thank you so muuuch. My B key wasn’t playing at all (the one you use your left pinkey for). I’ve been playing for 6 years and I didn’t know what was wrong with it. I just needed to adjust my fingers

[@olafsteiner3446]

Thanks ever so much for this. I have an extra Vito Resotone 3 clarinet which I'm using as my usual Buffet needs attention but B on the Vito had problems speaking. It only fully worked when I pressed down C as well. Anyway this solver the problem and I need a horn for some recording and sessions coming up.

[@Dongusp]

Great help from this tip. Please give us some more tech tips as they help us save money and headaches.

[@ClarinetMentors]

I'm making a list of further "tech tips". I'm glad they are helpful.

[@devanmurali7059]

Thanks so much. I have been having this problem for so long and couldn’t figure out how to fix it until I watched this video. Now I can play the b perfectly.

[@DelOfTheShire]

Brilliant! Worked a treat on my 50 year old Boosey & Hawkes Regent

[@vinkell0564]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you so much I've been trying to fix this for forever.

[@eljayb67]

Thanks Michelle , this worked a treat!

[@earlsmith1973]

Hi Michelle, from Me again Earl. I found the problem, when I was taking my clarinet apart. The cork, just above the register key was wore out and so when I got a hold of it, it wiggled sideways. I taped it up with some white Teflon tape and now I can get those low notes. In the morning I'll try and get some cork and then get to work on it., and replace all the tendon corks. I do want to get it fixed up, as it is an old wood Normandy Model 10. Thank You again for your wonderful KZbin videos. See Ya and thanks, Earl

[@ClarinetMentors]

Thanks Earl. I'm glad you solved the problem. A leaky cork can cause all kind of strange resistance.

[@earlsmith1973]

Michelle, thank you and please keep up your good work, by helping all of us by the ways you have. Bye for now Earl

[@lilliampumpernickle4655]

Hopefully someone replies to this, but I can't play low E, or second-line B. That bottom keys on the lower clarinet joint won't close all the way unless i use a ton of pressure on the 2 side keys on the lower joint of the clarinet.

[@ClarinetMentors]

THe issue may be similar to what is listed in this video. It will affect the B in the higher register, and the low E, when you are down low. See if you can adjust it as this video recommends. You shouldn't need to push down hard to get a good response. It wouldn't hurt to look in a mirror and ensure that you are not iadvertently pulling one of your bottom fingers off of the hole when you are pushing down the E key.

[@lilliampumpernickle4655]

Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) i think its one(or both) of the side keys thats messed up. It worked fine until the bottom joint fell. Not sure if it has to do with a spring or the pads. The keys dont look bent at all, they just wont close the holes all the way unless i press on the keys really hard. Both of the pads on the bottom wont close all the way and i can still push them down after pressing either of the side keys

[@uchekennedyYT]

I watched this video before, today it came in handy. Thank you so much.

[@eduardoangelgaribaygiordan6546]

Thank you so much, mid pandemic this is the most useful help I’ve received here at KZbin.

[@lorenwoodson9164]

As usual, Michelle's video advice is helpful, wonderfully clear and presented. Thanks!

[@fen3526]

my clarinet gets weird sounds but my hands are in the right space。

[@pinklemoonade6992]

qiu fen same, they have a weird airy and breathy sound to them

[@lucky-o4h]

Maybe just clean them and check your mouth position?

[@arnavsud5230]

Maybe try a harder reed which is what helped me get to the high notes. Try a 2.5 or a 3 reed.

[@simrahq4712]

Check your embouchure and make sure that you have the correct Reed size for you! Also, make sure your Reed is aligned correctly and not too dry.

[@arnavsud5230]

Also remember to get your ring finger on your bottom hand covering the hole which is the most common mistake I see

[@jeannalentz6766]

Awesome!...been having problems with that silly B crossing over...what a difference! Thankyou, your advice is well appreciated;)

[@rickterry8148]

brilliant, it was only the slightest of pressure, but the result was quite pronounced. Thanks.

[@tobiasfatherbornkingthejed1344]

Very cool that’s exactly what was wrong with my clarinet and I fixed it because of your video

[@tobiasfatherbornkingthejed1344]

Thank you

Thanx very much, you've helped us in this pandemic..

[@AnimatorElite]

Thank you so much, i have a concert like right now, you helped soooo much

[@lunartuner2930]

It is worth noting that you should press on the pad cup ARM, not the pad cup itself or you can cause the pad cup to tilt down so that it is no longer level to the tone hole which will cause it to leak in the back. Flexing the pad cup arm will adjust the venting without un-leveling the pad cup.

[@ClarinetMentors]

Thanks for that pointer, Alex.

[@kyotosal]

Thanks again Michelle. I'm going to test mine now.

[@brianlittleton4714]

Thanks Michele, Gosh You sure are appreciated. I'd never seen one (A clarinet) and of course I think that I need to explore all my options , where musical instruments come to my attention. You know? i could do that?

[@brianlittleton4714]

I would sure like to know the difference between the "A" clarinet and the B flat clarinet? I'd apprecaiate some info on this question, again thanks for being there for us all

[@ClarinetMentors]

Hi Brian, the A clarinet plays a semitone lower. It looks almost the same, but is a bit bigger. It uses the same mouthpiece. It is handy when playing with string instruments that like to play in keys that would have multiple sharps on Bb clarinet, but far fewer on A.

[@stiemogo]

Thank yoU! My whole life is instantly better because of you.

[@ClarinetMentors]

I love instant live better moments!

[@miaacworth8376]

Thank you so very much! I live in Dubai, UAE, and it is devoid of friendly neighborhood clarinet repair men! This helped me fix my b perfectly.

[@erinnielson6084]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! This is a life saver, so grateful for this tip!!!!!!!

[@intensead]

Thank you Michelle!

[@peterswenson18]

thank you so much this was my exact problem (upper pad not closing enough on b note)

[@paulineramos2793]

thank you so much! I thought my technique was off but it was actually this!

[@orgelspielerkmd]

It was the top one of the two - many thanks!

[@oreopatz9878]

Idk if this related but when I play low c sometimes it changes to high g and idk if its just me but I'm definately closing the holes properly and there's nothing wrong mechanically. Please help

[@bepishead8524]

OreoPatz probably something with ur embouchure

[@ariagu]

Sometimes that happens to me but we different notes and my band director says it because you might be overblowing the note

[@isabellughhhhh2538]

You might be accidently pushing down the register key. It's the same fingerings as the low C except you add the register key so I would think that's it! :)

[@isabellughhhhh2538]

I don't know if that goes under the "no mechanical issues" but yeah uh

[@kaleidstone8609]

I keep having similar problems. When I play a low note it plays a high note as if I was pushing the register key.

[@AlexIlic]

I have an old clarinet that i got from my brother and the high b key is moving up and down i just put piece of paper between two metals and it works now but i have spend days figuring that out can you make a video on that and maybe show a permanent solution

[@lynnc6746]

Wow! Thank you! This was the source of frustration. I thought it was me...clarinet is my double. Turns out it was the instrument. Thanks for posting this!

[@jhoagland5023]

Hello! I have a bass clarinet that I have started playing. I am not able to play from the high G (above the staff) to the high A. I think it probably has an adjustment issue. I live about 50 minutes from a good repair store, so I don't want to travel needlessly. Is it my embouchure or an adjustment/pad issue? Rhe ability to play between these two notes is significant, and I can hear a leak. Thanks for your help.

[@rainydaysartduo9535]

My clarinet barrel got stuck on my friends clarinet... She just bought hers yesterday Can you help us? 😅

[@ClarinetMentors]

It is very common for new clarinets to have extra thick corks, since they compress over time. Advice #1 (too late now) - use cork grease every time for the first couple of weeks on a new clarinet. #2 - Short back and forth twists, trying not to put pressure on the keys can get it off.

[@rainydaysartduo9535]

thank you so much- we tried #2 and its slowly but surly comming off XD thank you so much! I subscribed!

[@mason4753]

You have saved me. I know of no clarinet repair person near me and I was going to start crying 😂😂

[@Shoinie]

Amazing! Thank you for sharing that! I had the same problem just now that I have easily adjusted thanks to your video :)

[@maxcoletti]

Great video, very useful! Thank you very much.

[@scarletcript4148]

my god thank you so much ive been struggling with this for so long and i thought i was the problem nice fix!

[@bokim1728]

It helps a lot! Currently I think I have a problem with Bb key. When I release the Bb key, it does not close properly. Is there any tip that I can fix it easily? Thanks again

[@ojicollective9280]

Thanks my b wasn’t coming out at all. I did that adjustment and it came out so clear

[@laurakearns2564]

Many thanks for this video! That was the problem!!!

[@susycuriel6697]

You are Amazing!! Thank you the first step to fix it It worked!! Woohoooo thank you very much!! Much blessings

[@briannawilliams1906]

Thank you so much this helped me because I know how to play those notes on my Bb Clarinet but out of nowhere my clarinet couldn't play them. At least I know it is not me thank you so much.

[@ireshasamaranayaka1914]

Thank you!!! This really helped! My clarinet is a Bb clarinet but its so out of tune that it sounds like an Ab clarinet. Is there anything i could do to fix this, apart from getting a new one?

[@bigalinwesttexas]

I'm sorry to say it is probably you. Have a very good player play your instrument to be sure, But a very flat pitch is usually an embouchure problem or not having your tongue high enough, not having your head up, or not getting enough airspeed, or a combination of these. You need a very experienced clarinet teacher to diagnose. Be sure you practice with a tuner/metronome EVERYDAY.

[@gamester6450]

How do you fix the register key not going up on a bass clarinet like when I'm playing scales and go to the high notes the register key is down and it pisses me off.

[@electricCow78]

Thank you so much! This was really helpful!

[@carlnikolov]

Beautiful instrument, is it a backun?

[@Mikalaa6]

Ayeeee my name is Michelle Anderson too!😜

[@tarinacosgriff-old1621]

Fixed my B problem (thank you!!), now any suggestions for the E three notes up?

[@ClarinetMentors]

Hi Tarina, you may have solved this by now. If that note gives you trouble, it may be the top pad that comes down on the right hand above your index finger. Your bridge key can affect this. This may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIG7gKl6lM6pp5Y

[@binman20]

Lovely thanks, Michelle!

[@aapezel]

Thank you for another excellent video. Are they Backun clarinets? They're beautiful! I just checked my clarinet (Leblanc Bliss) and it seems to be properly adjusted. I noticed that there's a small screw on the second from bottom pad (the one you said usually goes out of adjustment) which seems to be to make small changes to the height of the cups, so I suppose I would use that, if necessary? I hadn't paid any attention to it up to now!

[@ClarinetMentors]

The main clarinet that I am using in this video is a Backun Symphonie Clarinet (which are no longer made) - a beautiful instrument. I also always use Backun barrels and bells. I am looking into some of the newer Backun clarinets as well. That adjuster screw on your Bliss is another way to help balance those keys, and is a really smart invention. By raising or lowering the screw, you can ensure that the 2 keys come down more together.

[@heididorschler]

THank you so much. SO helpful!!

[@kharmaviv]

Wow! It worked! Thank you so much! 😊❤

[@Hastings555]

Is that a backun? Beautiful! ❤

[@fleurettesevin673]

Thank you. My B was wonky, the alternate was ok and I though hmmm, probably needs adjusting, but how? googled and found your video. Aha! Easy peasy.

[@ClarinetMentors]

I'm glad this helped. It is very handy to know!

[@clarestinerinestine5761]

Hi, I just purchased a clarinet, and no keys work on it accept for the Bflat and the A key. I replaced the pads on it, and so forth; but now it's not producing sound at all. I've been playing almost a year, as you can see on my channel. I recently just changed clarinets.

[@heidigarcia2014]

I accidentally dropped my clarinet and when I play a G no sound will come out(I'm a biggimer by the way) this is the second time this has happened and the first time my teacher fixed it for me. How do I fix this?

[@justinmozina6986]

YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER!

[@eisha41]

IVE BEEN STRUGGLING FOR SO LONG WOWOWOWOW THANK YOU!!!

[@JSPJML]

Many thanks - low E sorted simply !

[@5060northernmama]

Can you show how to replace pads and corks, but specifically when a pad or cork should be replaced.

[@trevorgordonbarker5673]

Just did this with success....cheers