Procedure in detail:
(#'s below refer to #'s above)
- There should be slight lost motion
between the throat A key and the G# key. In other words, the A key will travel
slightly when opened before it makes contact with the regulation screw attached
to the G# key. Turn this screw counter clockwise to achieve lost motion. Use
the feeler gauge to make certain both the throat A and the throat G# are
closing. Insert the feeler under the A key pad, allow the key to close on the
feeler and remove the feeler, noting the drag. The same is done for the G#. The
drag should feel the same for both keys.
- The rings on the clarinet that
surround the raised tone holes (chimneys) should be slightly higher (.5mm) than
the surface of the chimneys when the key is in the closed position. If the ring
is too high, insert the pad slick between the pad of the key and its tone hole
and flex downward on the ring. If you are adjusting the lower rings, make sure
you flex all three at once. If the ring is too low (the chimney is sticking up
past the ring when the key is closed), hold the ring(s) up while flexing the
pad cup downward. If the Thumb ring key is too high, hold the arm extending off
of the back of the F#/B ring key down while flexing the thumb ring key down. If
the ring is too low, pry the thumb ring key up carefully. Ring height is
subjective, varying from player to player.
- The bridge mechanism must be in for
this step. The bridge arm and foot must be parallel with the hinge rods they
extend from. To adjust the bridge so that the D/A ring key and the lower ring
key close together, insert the feeler under the pad of the D/A ring key and
close the key from the lower ring key. Note the drag (if any) while pulling the
feeler out. Insert the feeler under the pad of the lower ring key, close the
key and note the drag. Both keys should have equal drag. If the D/A ring key
pad has more drag than the lower ring key pad, flex the upper bridge upward.
Check the drag again as above. If the lower ring key has more drag, hold the
D/A ring key pad cup down firmly against the tone hole while flexing the upper
bridge downward.
- Insert the feeler under the pad of the
E/B key and close the key from the left E/B touchpiece (lever). Pull the feeler
out, noting the drag. Insert the feeler under the pad of the F/C key and again
close the key from the left E/B touchpiece and pull the feeler out, noting the
drag. The drag should be equal between the two keys. If the drag of the F/C key
is heavier, push down firmly on the right hand F/C touchpiece, flexing it past
the point where the pad hits the tone hole. If the drag is heavier under the
E/B key, close the E/B key from the pad cup and flex the crow's foot upward.
- Play the instrument.
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