Clarinet

How do I put my clarinet together?

Note: When holding the clarinet during assembly do not grasp tightly over the keys they are delicate and damage easy.  Try to grab the clarinet by the sections where there are no keys!  When connecting the joints, always twist and push, also use plenty of cork-grease.

• First the tenon-corks on the mouthpiece, upper and lower joints need to be well lubricated with cork-grease.
• Connect the upper joint to the lower join by twisting and pushing together. Be sure to align the tone holes of both joints.
• Next attach the bell to the lower joint by twisting and pushing together. Align the logo & icon with the tone holes of the lower joint.
• Attach the barrel to the upper joint and align the icon with the tone holes of the upper joint.
• Finally connect the mouthpiece to the barrel.

How do I put the reed on the mouthpiece?

• Moisten the reed in your mouth or in a cup of water.
• Remove the ligature from the mouthpiece.
• Place the flat side of the reed to the mouthpiece.
• Align the tip of the reed so that it rests just under the edge of the mouthpiece.
• Slide the ligature over the reed and mouthpiece and tighten to hold in place.

Some of the keys don't open or close. What do I do?

Sometimes a spring can come out of place during shipping and regular use, or a screw might be too tight.  The worst scenario could be that something is bent or broken, and is preventing the keys from functioning properly.  Follow these simple directions to find the problem:

• Make sure that all the shipping corks have been removed
• Check the upper and lower joints and look very closely between the keys. Make sure that all the springs are hooked in place.  If not, you can push them back into position.
• Check all the post, look for screws that have worked their way out and screw them back into place.  If a screw is too tight, you can loosen it to insure that the keys move freely.

When I play my clarinet there is not sound. What is wrong?

If there is no sound produced from the clarinet, there might be a tone hole that is not completely covered.  The clarinets unique combination of pads and open-hole design requires proper finger placement to insure the best possible seal.  Be sure to check your technique to eliminate user-error.  The next possiblity is an air leak caused from a pad not sealing completely.  An adjustment may be needed or a pad needs to be replaced.  If so, contact your local instrument repair shop for assistance.

How do I tune my clarinet?

• Use a chromatic type tuner.
• The tuning pitch for the Bb clarinet is C and open G
• Adjust the intonation by pulling out or pushing in the barrel and middle joint.
• Not every pitch is in tune on the clarinet and the intonation must further be adjusted with the embouchure.

Table of Contents