Common Repairs for the Clarinet
- Leaks. Leaks can occur at several places on a clarinet. ...
- Pads. To know if your clarinet pads need to be replaced, you need only look. ...
- Noise. There are several reasons why you might be hearing unusual noise from your clarinet. ...
- Springs and Rings. Springs on a clarinet can slip out of place, bend, or break. ...
- Overhaul. ...
How do I Stop my clarinet from cracking?
If any of the rings are loose enough that they can be removed, the clarinet is in danger of cracking. The solution is to place a paper shim between the ring and the wood to keep the rings tight.
What is the purpose of the rings on a clarinet?
Their function is to prevent cracks in the wood. If any of the rings are loose enough that they can be removed, the clarinet is in danger of cracking. The solution is to place a paper shim between the ring and the wood to keep the rings tight.
How much does it cost to overhaul a bass clarinet?
Plastic Bass Clarinet Overhaul- $650.00 I Wood Bass Clarinet- $950.00 However, if all of these were issues this will be a full overhaul. When to Overhaul or Repair Your Clarinet.
How often should I service my clarinet?
Clarinets play dramatically differently once serviced which can lead to the realization you purchased an instrument you did not like as much as you thought unfortunately. We have seen this happen many times which is why we repad them first before you try them. We usually recommend overhauling the instrument in the 2nd or 3rd year.
How to know if clarinet pads need replacing?
Why does my clarinet make a noise?
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How much does it cost to fix a clarinet?
Woodwinds - Standard RepairsStudent Instruments (see below for Professional instruments)Basic Service(details)Repad/ Mechanical Overhaul (details)Clarinet (Eb, Bb or A)$65-$119$255-$350Alto Clarinet w/ring keys$80$450Alto Clarinet w/plateau keys$80$49919 more rows
How do you rebuild a clarinet?
2:047:40clarinet repair and maintenance - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMost of the keys are mounted with pivot screws these are little bitty screws that go into the endMoreMost of the keys are mounted with pivot screws these are little bitty screws that go into the end and just end in a short point now take a look at this clarinet. And listen to this.
Can an old clarinet be restored?
As a retirement hobby I buy old clarinets, mostly from that auction site or garage sales, and restore them to good playable condition. This generally involves repadding, recorking, often swedging and occasionally a spring replacement or key repair.
How do you fix a clarinet that won't play?
4:089:47Clarinet Problems! The Most Common Mechanical Problem... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou have to get it fixed now of course the ideal situation would be to have your friendlyMoreYou have to get it fixed now of course the ideal situation would be to have your friendly neighborhood repair person do a quick and easy adjustment for you and fix it perfectly.
Can a cracked clarinet be repaired?
1:354:06Fixing Cracks: Clarinet Instrument Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe area a little bit where you're going to let the superglue go. Make sure that it's dry. And againMoreThe area a little bit where you're going to let the superglue go. Make sure that it's dry. And again we put our superglue on another surface. You could take a piece of tape in a box piece of plastic.
Can clarinets be repaired?
To know if your clarinet pads need to be replaced, you need only look. If the pad is starting to look old, discolored, or tattered, you can assume that it's probably leaking. If the pads on your clarinet have become loose or unattached, you can easily glue them back into place.
How do you clean an old clarinet?
DO NOT WASH the rest of the clarinet using water — this can damage the pads that cover the tone holes. Instead, take off the mouthpiece, drop a cleaning swab down the bell and pull it through the instrument a couple of times. This should be done after each and every use.Instrument Care - Clarinets - HCPSShttps://www.hcpss.org › arts › music › care-clarinethttps://www.hcpss.org › arts › music › care-clarinetSearch for: How do you clean an old clarinet?
How do you polish an old clarinet?
1:593:36How to Clean a Clarinet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe care kit also comes with a polish cloth you can use for the nickel-plated keys or the wood toMoreThe care kit also comes with a polish cloth you can use for the nickel-plated keys or the wood to get fingerprints. And oils from your hands off of the instrument.How to Clean a Clarinet - YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com › watchhttps://www.youtube.com › watchSearch for: How do you polish an old clarinet?
How do you disassemble a clarinet?
3:055:25Clarinet Lesson 2: Disassembly & Cleaning - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we're gonna start with the barrel carefully twist it apart back and forth until it comes out andMoreSo we're gonna start with the barrel carefully twist it apart back and forth until it comes out and that goes back in your case exactly where it was next we're gonna go to the bottom.
How do you clean an old clarinet?
DO NOT WASH the rest of the clarinet using water — this can damage the pads that cover the tone holes. Instead, take off the mouthpiece, drop a cleaning swab down the bell and pull it through the instrument a couple of times. This should be done after each and every use.
How long do clarinet pads last?
A complete re-pad is recommended every 2-3 years. The Bore and body require oil once every 8-10 years. In general, pads, keys, springs, and tenon corks are replaced or adjusted as needed.
How do you repair a leaking clarinet?
5:107:15Leaky Pads: Clarinet Instrument Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMove one of our things is a cake decorating spatula known as a pad slick. On the smaller padsMoreMove one of our things is a cake decorating spatula known as a pad slick. On the smaller pads popsicle sticks work fine I've made these from all manner of things.
How to tell if a clarinet pad needs replacing?
Common pads we use are cork, synthetic, leather and bladder pads. The first way to recognize if a pad needs to be replaced is through visual inspection. If a pad looks old, tattered, bloated, or discolored it should be replaced because it is probably leaking.
What are the rings on a clarinet?
Tenon Rings. Tenon rings are the circular pieces of metal that surround the wood at the barrel, lower joint, and bell sections of the clarinet. Their function is to prevent cracks in the wood. If any of the rings are loose enough that they can be removed, the clarinet is in danger of cracking.
How does spring tension affect the way an instrument plays?
Spring tension can greatly affect the way an instrument plays and feels. If the springs are often too heavy, it will make it harder to press down the keys. If they are too light you may find that the instrument does not respond well consistently. The proper spring tension is soft enough to not have to push too hard, but stiff enough to return the pad to its seat quickly and maintain adequate pressure on the pad.
Why is it easy to bend a key?
When this happens, and you don’t fix it, it can spread tension to other fingers and starts to erode your playing technique. When this happens, it’s a slippery slope because it will also begin to affect your enjoyment and performing abilities.
Do you have to have your clarinet overhauled?
While most professional players will have their clarinet overhauled within a few months of purchase, because the instrument was not properly set up, if you purchase from us, you won’t have to. Having spring tensions and ring heights properly adjusted, along with good clarinet pads is essential.
What happens after you put pins in a clarinet?
After the pins are inserted, the crack is sealed.
How to seal a crack in a clarinet?
To properly seal the crack, we use a technique called “pinning”. We insert metal pins into the body of the clarinet. These pins are carefully placed so that they do not enter the bore of the instrument . These pins will force the wood back together in to its original position. This ensures that the inner bore shape of the clarinet is restored and the performance of the clarinet will be returned to its original design.
Why does my clarinet crack?
This means that it can absorb and release moisture. If your clarinet absorbs this moisture unevenly (perhaps through not properly breaking in your clarinet when it was new or when picking it back up after a period of not using it), this can create a stress pressure that builds up in the wood and just like an earthquake, that pressure has to be released.
Dirt
Dust and sludge can build up in every nook and cranny on your instrument, greatly affecting its playability. Buildup in the tone holes can alter the pitch dramatically, and dirty mechanisms can slow key response. If you are comfortable taking your instrument apart, this repair can easily be done at home with cotton swabs and water.
Noise
Clicking keys can be a product of three things: First, a cork bumper has fallen off, allowing metal on metal or metal on wood contact. Obviously this should be immediately corrected. Second, bent keys can contact other keys and produce noise. Again, your instrument should be serviced immediately.
Clarinet Pads
The first way to recognize if a pad needs to be replaced is through visual inspection. If a pad looks old, tattered, bloated, or discolored it should be replaced because it is probably leaking. I recommend replacing the trill-key pads which collect the most water with cork pads because cork is less affected by water.
Bent Keys
It is obvious when some keys are bent because of clicking noises when contacting other keys. However, some keys can become bent by resting in a case or being handled too roughly. The right hand low E lever is usually the first to bend.
Spring Tension
Spring tension will greatly affect the way an instrument plays and feels. Springs are often too heavy, making the player press the keys harder. This can spread tension to the rest of the body and affect playing.
Tenon Rings
Tenon rings are the circular pieces of metal that surround the wood at the barrel, lower joint, and bell sections of the clarinet. Their function is to prevent cracks in the wood. If any of the rings are loose enough that they can be removed, the clarinet is in danger of cracking.
Binding Tenons
Tenons or joints of the clarinet are cut to certain dimensions at the factory, but over time the wood can absorb moisture and expand. This expansion will cause the tenons to bind, making them excessively difficult to assemble or disassemble.
How to know if clarinet pads need replacing?
To know if your clarinet pads need to be replaced, you need only look. If the pad is starting to look old, discolored, or tattered, you can assume that it’s probably leaking. If the pads on your clarinet have become loose or unattached, you can easily glue them back into place. There are many different adhesives that you can use, including sealing wax, hot glue, or micro cement. If you need to replace your pads, some experts recommend using cork pads because cork is less affected by water. All of the pads on the top joint except the middle ring pad should be cork because they will help you to project a better sound. Cork pads also last much longer than skin pads.
Why does my clarinet make a noise?
There are several reasons why you might be hearing unusual noise from your clarinet. If a cork bumper has fallen off, then pieces of your instrument may be coming into contact that aren’t supposed to. Any metal on metal or wood on wood contact will cause a noise and should be immediately corrected. If your keys are bent, they can contact other keys and produce a noise. This, too, should be immediately corrected. The most common cause of noise, however, occurs when the layer of skin which connects the pins which connect the left-hand levers to the right-hand keys wears out or falls out. This can be expected to occur about once per year and can be noticed when playing the low E and low F# notes. When this occurs, simply take your clarinet in to a qualified professional, and they should be able to rectify the situation cheaply and quickly. You’ll notice that your instrument will feel much tighter and the excess noise should have gone away.
