Diagnosing a Bass Clarinet: Looking for Some of the Common Problems

[@mxmmts]

Thank you for posting this!! I haven’t been able to play high notes on my bass clarinet all year and after watching this, I was finally able to find out what was wrong, and I’m able to play high notes again! :)

[@lotsabirds]

Great overall going over. I haven't held a bass clarinet in a long time!! It's gotta be 40 years! Fun to watch you diagnose the issues!

[@andyking894]

You can tell Art has oodles of experience, because he can easily identify the G/D key. Unless most of us who would identify just about any of them as a G.D. key. 😇

[@PrairieB]

Beautiful instrument.

[@eduardocortes6650]

Good afternoon Art, thank you very much for that useful video, recently I bought the same model to try fixing it by myself, the original problem is that the upper register is a bit unstable, I tried fixing the register key mechanism but it hasn’t solved my problem yet. Also the pads look like they’re not leaking. If you could give me some advice I’ll appreciate it! Again, thank you very much for the video, I really enjoy learning about woodwind instrument repair with your videos!!!

[@TheBrassandWoodwindShop]

Bass clarinets are sort of hard to work on if you do not have a lot of experience on other woodwind instruments first. I do not know your skill level, but if you are just starting, make a feeler gauge. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpiUdX2eeqeNe68 When you are working on an instrument, think of it in sections. (register mechanism section, right hand keys section, etc.) Then try to understand each section and how it works. Once you are confident a section works, move to the next one. I do not know if this helps, but I hope it does. Best regards, Art

[@timbecile]

I learned bass clarinet on that exact model in the mid 1980s. It must have had a similar issue with the low E/B keys, because I had to push down both the pinky levers to get the notes to speak.

[@javierquesada798]

Master thank you again now I can order the part thanks and cheers

[@chaser8gaming536]

My floor peg tightening screw made my peg gets stuck in it but I eventually got it out but now the screw is out do you have any hints on how to put it back in

[@olakunleosho7358]

Hi Mark I need your help please 🙏. I recently overhauled my cheap alto and replaced the pads while dismantled. On reassembly there were leaks all over. I quickly fixed the right hand FED keys leaks but the right upper stack is daunting.Not g# isn’t fully closed. When A is depressed the upper c or aux b won’t close fully but seals when b depressed.. the G also leaks. I know you are thinking- you should have taken it to the tech but I am now t willing to spend money on it as it’s cheap and won’t be played for too long. Please help me understand the upper stack regulation.Please ☹️☹️☹️☹️

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Some Bass Clarinets have the 2nd Register Key on the Neck

[@JensKafe]

Learning this because I play a school owned Yamaha and get to share it so 😩

[@paix2669]

Hi! I was looking around for tips on how to fix some problems of bass clarinets. I "have" a descendent selmer bass clarinet, I can confidently fix problems for my base Bb clarinet (of course I can't fix broken in half keys or cracks, with the tools that I have I won't get into that kind of work😅), i know how to make a useless clarinet to patch it so it can at least play, so I consider my self higher level in knowledge then a big portion of clarinetis when it comes to repairing clarinets, but when it comes to bass clarinets, especially the lower joint, I have to say that it's really hard to sort out. A week ago my bass clarinet teacher kindly gave me his professional bass clarinet as my conservatory was lacking in bass clarinets and my teacher didn't want to give me the scrappy old bass clarinets. So he gave me his, I opened the case (I never saw a low c bass clarinet first hand so close) and it is a old low c mechanism selmer bass clarinet. I immediately noticed just with a first inspection that it wasn't in perfect conditions so I dedided to make a favour to my teacher and clean his bass clarinet: I dismounted a lot of keys, they were filthy with black grease, I cleaned a lot of rods and keys and made a really good job, all as clean as I could make it, BUT one thing, the lower key as I am not at all used to these giant low mechanisms. I really tried my hardest to make them all seal down to the low c but really, some adjustment screws are stuck and some keys some times are sealing and some times are not. After a lot of time of hard work, now they are more or less sealing equal meaning that that they're all mostly not super terrible, so like 60% of the 100% level that they should seal, meaning that they play with a bit of adjustments but they don't seal enough to play istantly, the keys have quite a bit of play, they are hard to press and with that a lot of pads don't seal as strong as they should, and the intonation also tells that, they are quite a bit sharp if i don't press. Can you make a video specifically on how to calibre bass clarinets pads (especially low ones)? Or if you don't have a bass clarinet to make the video on at the moment, if you can send me tips or links on the tools and methods on how to fix this kind of problem. I know it could be easier to go to my repair tech but at least I would like to learn how to fix some of these problems in case of emergencies and stuff like that in the future. Sorry for the long text😅 thank you very much for your attention, I hope you have a pleasant day :)

[@TheBrassandWoodwindShop]

It is hard to know how to proceed without seeing the bass clarinet in person, but in general, when you are closing several keys at the same time, start with the first one in the series where only one of the pads is closed. Make sure the pad is level and seated and then move to the next one. Make sure they both work together and are both seated and adjusted. Keep doing that until they are all seated and in adjustment. I will say that the low C mechanism is very hard to work with because there are so many keys that all need to work together. Any slop in the keys will compound as you work your way down the instrument. I do not know if this helps but I hope it does. Art

[@deara3424]

My low b/f doesn't work, I even switched to a different bass clarinet and the issue doesn't end.

[@Augy600]

🔥💯

[@Jaujau933]

Talking but showing nothing "that should open when you press this key down" ??? What key ??? 😱😱

[@closetraiders8924]

ANNOYING ads early in video. GAG.