How To Find a Leaky Clarinet Pad

When you play your clarinet and find that some notes just won’t play, or the overall sound is airy, leaky, stuffy or squeaky…chances are you have one or more pads that aren’t sealing well and air is leaking. Here are some steps that will help you find the leak.

First inspect every pad (there are 17 of them on the clarinet) for any wear, splits, looseness, or a lopsided fit in the cup. Some problems may be very obvious and the pad may need replacing.
But if after inspection, you still can’t find the source, you can check for leaks by using the following very simple tool.

• First you’ll need a supply of a very thin material like cigarette papers or old cassette tape.
• Cut the paper or tape into 1.5 inches length and about ¼ inch wide.
• Then you will need a handle to hold the paper or tape.
• You can make one or buy one on-line at places like Music Medic or Ferree’s.
• Start on either the upper or lower joint and place the paper under every pad at various angles: 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock (on the larger pads on the lower joint you may have to check even smaller intervals).
• Wherever the paper or tape isn’t ‘grabbed’ by the pad when you close the key, and you can pull it out with slight pressure, that’s where a leak is.
• Sometimes just heating up the glue and reseating the pad will take care of it.
• If that doesn’t work, then you may need to replace the pad.
  
  Stay tuned for our upcoming blog on how to replace and reseat pads.
  
  We welcome any comments or suggestion.
  
  Thanks so much, FrannyToo! The Clarinet People
  

Help Your Beginner Get the Most Out of Practice Sessions

Practice Habits for the Beginning Student

• For young beginning students, we strongly recommend that a parent is at the practice sessions
• We also strongly recommend that the beginner have a private music teacher
• Have a consistent practice time, such as right after school or right before dinner
• Also have a special area or room where you won’t be distracted
• Establish a routine – just like an athlete works out every day for excellence, so does a musician or developing student
• A well-rounded practice session could include:
  o The music that a private teacher has assigned
  o Any music the band or orchestra is learning
  o Scales! Pick a scale a day to practice
  o Long tones to develop good tone quality
  o Make up a song, just for fun
  o Play along with a favorite singer or band CD
  
  Remember, Mom and Dad, supportive parental guidance can often be the difference between a student who stays with it and one who drops out.
  
  Check in with us and let us know what you think about our blogs. Are they useful for you?
  
  Thanks so much, FrannyToo!