I've just searched for this and didn't come up with anything, so I'm posting a new thread to ask everyone for help in determining whether my clarinet has a leaky pad somewhere! I've just finished a dreadful practise session, which I've ended up abandoning early because my clarinet is 'whistling' (!) and emitting some dreadful squeaks. I hasten to add that this is not on particularly demanding stuff - haven't played anything above a high C tonight (2 lines above staff) and it's all been music I know very well. Unfortunately, I can't isolate a particular note when it is occurring but amongst several others, I've been doing some octave leaps (C third space on staff to C two ledger lines above in I Know Him So Well) where it was a particular problem and also in the Danzi Allegretto from the ABRSM Grade 4 book - not so much a squeak here, more of an annoying whistle when moving from first line G to the higher C in the semiquaver runs.

My clarinet was serviced in June and it's a basic Yamaha with synthetic pads (which I thought were supposed to last forever!) Ideally, I would take it back in for another 'check-up' but I'm playing it tomorrow and I have a lesson next Saturday (I only have them once a month) and if I take it in, I won't get it back in time! Grateful for any suggestions as to what it could be. I hasten to add that I'm certain it's not me, as all of the pieces I've played tonight are played on a regular basis and usually without any problems!

All suggestions and advice very gratefully received, as always.

Does This Thread help at all?

That thread is a useful one Dawn, I'd add a couple of things to this particular problem.

I'd try two things:

1. Play from top C up and down to middle line B, quite slowly, listening for any regular squeaks on any particular notes (I'm getting the sense the C just above middle line B is a problem for you). Have a look at any offending pads, and you may find it needs replacing (any torn/discoloured pad will need immediate or imminent replacement).

2. If you get no joy there, check for leaks. Easiest way is to deal with each joint separately : bung up one end of each joint with blu-tack, and breathe down the other end, covering all the holes on the top joint, and all the holes, plus the E/B key on the bottom joint. If air escapes from any of the pads, you've found the offending pad, and again, the pad may obviously look like it needs replacing.

It is possible that it's not the pad that's the problem (particularly if it looks in good shape), but something like a bent key.

Many thanks for your replies - I knew I could rely on you two!! That thread was really helpful, Dawn - thank you. I've just been out playing my clarinet and haven't had any problems (perhaps it's just playing tricks on me?!) BUT I didn't play any of the pieces I was playing last night. I have inspected the pads carefully and closed them all with a piece of kitchen roll underneath, so I am hoping at this stage that perhaps it was just a piece of dirt or something stuck under one of them. However, I'm not ruling out Barry's suggestion that it might be a key that has been knocked slightly out of alignment - I will keep you posted! Thanks again, both of you.

Just to let you know...the problem was not a leaky pad after all... After much messing around with the clarinet, it seems that my (adjustable) thumb rest had adjusted all by itself and my right forefinger was catching on the upper joint trill keys (high Bb etc) and was just generally not positioned very well... In other words, me rather than instrument Oh well, we live and learn...!

It's something else to check for another time clarijo. Thanks for letting us know the outcome.