Clarinet air problems?

Question:I just got a wood clarinet and when ever I lay the low notes c through a I can hear the air blowing through it. This wasn't the same case with my plastic clarinet.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I just got a wood clarinet and when ever I lay the low notes c through a I can hear the air blowing through it. This wasn't the same case with my plastic clarinet.

The notes "F" through "Bb" are the throat tones and are naturally a bit weak and airy. On "G" through "Bb", put down your 3rd finger of your right hand and press the "C" key with your pinky, right hand. This will help add some body and make these notes more in tune.
Most clarinet players have to work to get these notes to be as even as the rest of the notes on their horns. Like you, when I got my first wood clarinet, I had an annoying airiness from "C" to "A", and it just took some time to figure out my instrument.

To make sure there is nothing else going on, you can check for leaks like this:
Put your clarinet together without the mouthpiece or the bell. Cover all the holes and keys (like playing your lowest "E"). Cross your legs like a guy would (right ankle on left knee) and put the end of the clarinet against your calf, making the clarinet airtight. Now suck on the barrel like a straw. If you get a suction, your clarinet isn't leaking.

Another issue you might be having, is with your "A" key. It might need a little adjustment. If you press "Ab", it goes up on its own, but when you press "A" it pushes that AND the "Ab" key up. Without blowing, press down over the "Ab" PAD to make sure it is down tight. Press the "A" key, and don't allow it to push the "Ab" key up. You should have the tiniest bit of wiggle (like a fraction of a millimeter). If you don't, turn the screw on the top just a tad counterclockwise. If you have a lot of wiggle room, turn the screw clockwise.

It could be your fingers. Place your fingers in the position to play "C", and press down hard for 10 seconds. Take your hand off and look at the pads of your fingers... they should have perfect circles indented on them. If not, you are not fully covering the holes. Next, play a slow chromatic scale and pay attention to if your fingers are accidentally rubbing or pressing the "A" key, octacve key, or any of the right hand side keys. If not, then you may have a crack and you will need to take it to an instrument repair shop.

Cracks can be fixed sometimes, but not always. And you may want to take it to a shop anyways, and have the pads of the top joint changed to cork... it lasts longer and gives your wood clarinet a beautiful resonance. When's the last time you had the cork on the joints looked at?

Another idea: when you got your clarinet, did you get a new mouthpiece? If you changed your set up (mouthpiece, reed, ligature, etc.), it may just take time to learn to control it. And by the way- don't use the mouthpiece that came with your clarinet. Even if it is a Buffet mouthpiece, it does not mean that it is the best. You don't have to pay a ton of money- just go to a music store with some reeds and ask to try a bunch of mouthpieces. Find one that's right for you, that you can get a good sound on, and that is easy for you to play.

I know I just wrote a small book, but I hope it helps!
Good luck!

Is there a crack?? I hope not. Of course it could need recorked & repadded which would be my guess.

Have you checked (or had someone check) for air leaks? This is especially likely if you bought your clarinet used. Also, check to make sure you're covering all the holes. Try pushing a bit harder on the keys when you play a C through an A, and/or have someone press on the closed pads while you're playing these notes. If the airiness goes away, the clarinet may need new pads.

try changing the reed. if they have the smallest, most microscopic chip in them, that could be the problem.

also make sure that there are no holes in the pads.

good luck!

Lady Prism gives a good answer for this one.

Also know that this is a wooden clarinet--it's not going to produce the same bright and piercing tone quality as a plastic clarinet. Middle C and third-line B-flat are the weakest notes in terms of tone quality for all clarinets and it's especially obvious for wooden clarinets, which is why if you watch--most professional clarinets use an alternate fingering for that third line b-flat or press down extra keys for the middle C.

If your clarinet is brand new and you follow the advice of Lady Prism (check your fingering, mouthpiece, reed, air support, etc.), also recruit a veteran clarinet player to give it a once over and check it for leaks. If it's new I doubt it has a problem, but another set of eyes is useful.