Is your clarinet Blown Out? Here's how you would know!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ค. 2024
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Is it possible for a clarinet to get "blown out"? What does that even mean anyway? Melanie Wong, expert technician, joins us to talk about what it means when a clarinet is "blown out"
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Links are affiliate links - a great way to support the channel!
Mouthpieces:
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Vandoren Traditional (Blue box)
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Thanks for having me Jay! It was great chatting!!
Because of this video, I have switched the way I swap. Thanks for your videos. I am a new subscriber. 😃 🎶
Wow. Fantastic interview Jay. Thanks for bringing an expert’s opinion to this question. I too, am team ‘swab from the bell’. My repair person told me this was because most of the moisture accumulates at the top of the instrument, and if you swab from the barrel end, then you just pull all the moisture through the entire instrument. My solution to the ‘stuck’ problem is to swab gently, but Melanie’s logic makes sense here.
My repairman also works in NY, and I wish I lived closer! Thanks again for bringing this to us- these interview videos are fascinating and do a great service to the clarinet community! 🙌
Thanks John! Next time you are here getting stuff done let me know:) I would imagine it’s mostly by mail though. It was nice to talk to Melanie while she wasn’t trying to work on a clarinet lol
@@clarinetninja Will do! I haven't come to NY since right before COVID, but am itching to come up and visit Tomoji to have a bit of fine tuning done, plus it's always cool to visit the shop. BTW, I thought the other portion of the interview that was really great was the gentle reminder about the etiquette of working with a repair artist like Melanie-about talking to your repair technician while they're doing work. One thing I learned from working with my first repair technician (now retired, and of course, one of my favorite people to talk to, because they always had a bevy of new jokes to tell)... is that if I talked to them while working on my horns, they took longer and because they charged by the hour, my bill went up. 🤣 Fortunately, since they were right up the road from me, they had several good restaurant recommendations while working on my instruments. Thanks again for the great video.
@@john.kurokawa Tomoji is amazing. There was a brief perfect moment (couple of years) when Tomoji worked for himself and was available to all. I am sure his life is better since moving to Yamaha...but the rest of us not as much!
I have to say I'm with you I usually do it Bell to Barrel
Knowing that I'm wrong but I still feel it better that way
since making this video, it is clear how deep the habit is. I turn my clarinet upside down instinctively every time a start to swab lol
Jay! this is awesome! thank you
Thanks for watching! :)
Excellent video, and some great advice - although I am too old and set in my ways to start swabbing top-down :-/
I think you could have spent more time on the psychological attachment we build with our instruments and how that can lead to denial that our instrument is blown out.
I bought a pair of second-hand professional clarinets when I was at university in the 80s - they were a massive step up from my previous student instrument and had (have) a lovely tone. When I went back to playing seriously in the 00s I never gave a thought to changing them. But the contortions I went through to try to play in tune were sheer madness. In the end my fingerings were so bizarre that I just couldn’t play efficiently (‘resonance’ fingerings was always a good justification...). The B-flat was utterly blown out. I played one terrible recital and nearly gave up.
Investing in new instruments a couple of years later was a total revelation, and my playing massively improved - although it took some time to unlearn all the compensatory habits I had formed.
Thanks for sharing that perspective. Melanie and I didn't get into the emotional bond we make with our instruments. While its a real thing, having a person who knows as much as she does on the technical side made it hard to get to that conversation. I hear people defend their old instruments all the time. I never take a position that a person should not play them. Your experience yields what I think is important to consider - old clarinets can make playing clarinet at a high level more challenging and can create many compensatory habits that cause as many problems as they solve. The introduction of a new instrument makes the reason for those habits irrelevant so the habits only have the set of problems they created without having the set of problems they solve still present.
I still turn my clarinet upside down every time I am about to swab....old habits die hard.
I am about to tell the world about my new site. Clarinetninja.com I would love it if you were on my mailing list. I am trying to create a community and your perspective would be welcome in it:)
Great video. I have swabbed from the bell since 1988 and luckily never had an issue, because I took my time! This was how I was taught and then reinforced by the repair person I had in high school and college. Learned a lot just sitting and watching them.
I fall in the boat of having a clarinet that sat and saw very little use over 25 years from college until last fall. I did some practicing with it until I could get it into the repair shop where it could be overhauled. When they overhauled it the main issue besides tarnish on the keys was a few stuck rods from sitting that long.
The issue of clarinets being "blown out" is a new one to me, and something that I have been trying to learn more about. As I hear more about it, I wonder if some of the issues couldn't be addressed by overhauling the instrument. I think this is a much more critical thing for the life of the instrument and should be done on a much more regular basis than we have previously thought.
Thanks! The "blown out" situation (assuming Melanie is correct - and I think she is) is something that is the inevitable end of the arch after being played and swabbed for so many years.
I am glad your clarinet has been put back to use! Its a wonderful thing to get back to. What are you working on?
@@clarinetninja I think it might be the inevitable end, but maybe staved off or slowed down with more comprehensive routine maintenance. But alas, the costs most likely outweighs the benefit, and in turn those funds could be put towards a new instrument.
I am currently playing 2nd Part in Community Band that plays 14 to 15 concerts a year. I have broken out my Klose, Rose, and the Fantiestucke, Op. 73 by Schumann, which was my audition piece years ago. I am working with my 15 year old son teaching him to play tenor sax and my 13 year old daughter to play clarinet. Volunteering as an assistant to the High School Band Director when I am in town, and debating returning to school to add a music degree so I could possibly teach at the secondary school level.
So thank you for your videos! I appreciate the knowledge.
@@martinconsulting5483 I think that it is inevitable, particularly if it comes from swabbing. Oboists move on to new oboes much faster than we move on to new clarinets. Their bore is smaller and more responsive to even minor changes. If you are not on my mailing list , and want to be, let me know. I am trying to get more happening and things out into the world.
I am building small community of adults that work together a couple of times a week. It has been amazing to this point. I won't give you the sales pitch here - but let me know if you want to hear it :) Your kids are lucky to have parental involvement like you give to them!
Can you possibly make a video about repertoire for different levels of ability? I've been lost in trying to find pieces to play that aren't impossible but will out up a challenge.
I would love to do that. Can you give me an idea of what you think is achievable vs what I kinda of things you find to be too much of a challenge?
@@clarinetninja I'm a high school student for reference; I would say everything around intermediate level is achievable. things I find achievable specifically would be chromatics, and nothing too fast. Only problem would be speed. I have auditions for a youth orchestra in June and I have no clue what to play. Tysm!
Harold Wright talks about this in an interview with him, which is uploaded on TH-cam
cool! I have not seen that. I will check it out for sure
@@clarinetninja th-cam.com/video/AO7-Ur8BWeQ/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
Minute 3.05
I recently replaced my old blown out Yamaha 61 clarinet that I bought new in 1986. I first noticed it being blown out maybe 12 years ago but kept tolerating it as a doubler for way too long. The issue I had was actually not intonation. The intonation is good as ever, but I really noticed a difference in the core of the sound, especially in the lower register, where there was a lack of focus to the tone and a lack of resonance. This was especially noticeable when I started play testing new clarinets, and now I'm the proud owner of a new Yamaha CSVR. As far as my old YCL 61, the cost of a re-pad is more than the value of the horn so I'm noticing the clarinet lamp behind you with a new interest.
Jim (Your old Cantina Band section mate)
Jim! how are you? I hope well. The CSVR is a killer instrument! I tried a few over the summer at the clarinet convention. When I think of it, a person who plays other instruments that resonate more than the clarinet might be more able to discern a resonance issue with an old clarinet.
The lamp is the very first clarinet that I ever played - an Armstrong 4000. Certainly not worth the money to repad! It's not plugged in at the moment. My mom made it for me a long time ago. It's funny you mention it because she called with a complaint that the shade was crooked in this video lol.
Thanks for participating in the discourse! An honor that you watched the video.
You have to swab from the bell to break the stream, otherwise water will go to the holes and stay here.
Wow Mr hassler
I have a tosca and have noticed the throat tones going flat for several years. Now, they seem to have lost their center of sound as well. It’s almost as if the throat tones are no longer in focus. The right hand clarion register is also sharper than it used to be. It’s my first experience with a blown out instrument and I feel like I am mourning the loss of a child!
I know that feeling. I think of it more like the loss of a person that has lived a long life and given us incredible joy and value. We were lucky to have them. Painful no matter what!
Oboe players use the fancy swabs.
Oboe players also swab from the bell because its far easier to get the swab in that direction. They have no register tube though. They do use a swab with a pull on both ends as well (at least a lot of them do)
sew a "string" on both ends of the swab - then you can always pull it back out, whichever way you go in!
This is a brilliant solution. I have been trying very diligently to change my swabbing habits since Melanie told me what to do:)
Is it really scientific fact that silk is less abrasive than microfiber? Another reason to swab from the top down is to lessen the chance of any remaining moisture being left at the top, from where it can then migrate down to the tone holes.
I don’t know if there is science to prove it. I don’t remember saying that, if Melanie said it he believe in her experience and conclusions. I have been using silk swabs for years
so its physical abrasion Not just playing
Yes, but I think the small change in wording to physical abrasion as a result of playing would exact. When the conversation started, I was sure the bore warping was going to be more of a thing.
DO NOT do anything if the rings are loose. Rehydrate first!
true
30 yr closet horn?
Get a full overhaul cause adhesive on corks , skins on pads etc have reached thier end of life
If you get a rubber clarinet like Ridenour it won’t blow out. Or?
I have no experience with a rubber clarinet - so I have no evidence but I think it would not blow out. Are there more clarinets being produced outside of ridenour that are rubber? I know that there are some super old ones that are, but I don't know of any modern ones outside of ridenour.
I have one now, a Ridenour and it is actually very very good. Lyrique is the modell. It plays just as good as anny Buffet, consistent tuning, nice warm sound focus very even trough the whole scale top to bottom. The sound holds. It felt a little bit different the first two days but now it just play wonderfull. And I pick up the same clarinet every day - so if anything changes it is me not the clarinet.
Ok- it is a long time since I owned a Buffet now- I basicaly play historical clarinets professionally. The price for this rubber clarinet is a fraction of what a new Buffet would cost but it performs wonderfull and don’t crack.
I think I Will get more of them later- he does a few modells. The keywork is very solid. Reminds more of Leblanc.
@@joachimakerlind4453 I know Tom was a big part of working with Leblanc on the Opus and Concerto models back in the early 1990's. In my telling of the story, those clarinets play a big part (in what I think) is the massive improvements and choices we have in clarinets now.
I don't have a lot of experience (like any) with historical clarinets. I have always been interested, but I have had to come to terms with the fact that I can't dive into every single thing I am interested in. I would imagine that one would develop an interesting insight into the ways that the clarinet plays now and how it got there.
Yes, I beleave Tom is very gifted when it comes to clarinet science 😊
I’m quite happy with this Lyrique for now. I could never afford a brand new set of Buffet anymore so..
I also play a Wurlitzer Reform Boehm set- a very old pair actually from 1950!! They play very good still! The Wood is dense and smooth no cracks.
Incredible well tuned- low E F on spot even in ff. The old Fritz Wurlitzer solved a lot of problems long before Buffet even understood them.. 😮
Here the big topic on blown out clarinets comes in to the picture ! These old clarinets seem to have kept the sound tuning resistance etc the play wonderfull- I think the Wood must part of the secret but also the Bore. It is a german Bore 15,4 mm and you use another kind of aproach- softer reeds german emboushyre etc which doesn’t weare out the clarinet like on a Buffet. Wurlitzer are also 100 % handcrafted.
The play with german reeds etc.. so I am used to change emboushyre very fast - also on the historical set up I use german very soft reeds on the smaller wooden mouthpieces.
It IS difficult to do it all I know- you need so much time you do not have.
@@joachimakerlind4453 Yes indeed Tom Ridenour knows how to design a fine clarinet (like his Leblanc Opus)
Manage Chinese quality control...or customer service stateside....well...not nearly in same league as his design work.
Take-away lesson: never swab your clarient!
haha! an alternative summation of the facts lolI will have to make a video on the dangers and repulsive nature of that approach haha
Maybe a better look at the variety and quality of swabs. Would be interested to hear take aways on microfiber, cotton, silk, swabit style, etc. Then not only get feedback from the instrument repair side, but from someone that works with antique furniture woods, that might have a little bit different perspective.
@@martinconsulting5483 The furniture repair idea is a great one. Trying to get data about the long term impact of swabbing seems like an information nightmare - partiuclarly when the moment a clarinet gets "blownout" is subjective to begin with.
@@clarinetninja I am an anthropologist/archaeologist and grew up with an uncle that for a while had a high end cabinet and woodworking shop here in Memphis in the 80s and 90s. Together we built my own custom case for my Buffet using the original insert since the case was so worn. It is still a fabulous case, but that's for another discussion.
I think because it is subjective having some parameters like those outlined today helps. I do believe the issue of the reeds could be an issue with the reeds, I can remember going through 3 boxes of Vandoren Traditional and only pulling 5 or 6 that played well. I could get another 5 or 6 that I could make work, and the rest I just set to the side. But again finding reeds are subjective...
@@martinconsulting5483 I was in Memphis 15 years ago with a tour called "Star Wars in Concert" a great town. I only got to be there for a day but had a great time.