Trouble with my A clarinet!!!?

Question

So, I play clarinet and I own a Bb and an A clarinet.

Usually when I play my A clarinet, it sounds a bit airy.

(Like when you blow through the clarinet without blowing hard enough, you can only hear the air blowing out)

Well, when I play, the notes come out, but i can also hear some air noises coming out with it.

It's not that i'm letting air come out of the mouthpiece, cause i can hear it and it's on the lower part of the clarinet.

I have no idea why it's sounding like this, cause when I play my Bb clarinet, I don't have this problem.

So, if somebody knows, PLEASE!!! I need to fix this!!! THANK YOU!!!!! in advance...xD

Answer 1

hmm it sounds like one of your pads might be leaking air and not closing all the way. like maybe if a key is bent then it would cause that.. but that problem also usually effects certain notes not coming out.. and idk if that might be happening too.. but definately take it into the shop to get it checked if it keeps giving you a problem. see if they can find anything wrong with it. maybe get them to tune it up, change the pads out and get new corks and stuff.. i dont know if it could be a reed problem at all... but whenever the reed is bad, its always alot harder to play.. so maybe make sure you've got a really good reed on it too.

Answer 2

Maybe theres a loose pad and it's not closing all the way.

Answer 3

a lot of old clarinets are joined with cork. you should have your instrument reconditioned, not necessarily to replace the cork, just oil it so it swells enough to make a seal. Perhaps get a lesson on how to keep it up.

Answer 4

sounds like a pad leak in the lower joint.

try this experiment to diagnose the problem;

1. take just the lower joint in your left hand

2. cover the holes normally with the right hand/fingers

3. cover the bottom with the palm of your left hand

4. put your mouth over the top (sealing any air from getting out) & blow into the joint HARD!!!

5. watch/feel for where air escapes or a weak spring allows a pad to come up

6. repeat the process while you hold down the pad that leaked (you may need a third hand)

this test will give you an idea of where the problem is, then you can take it to a repair technician.

if your pads & springs are in good condition, nothing should leak!