Got my new clarinet tonight. The girl I bought it off is an amazing player and one of the `cool kids` around band in the area (into which I`ve just been accepted... I mean the `cool group`).

She got it `fixed` for me (the long Bb key didn`t close properly and another key apparently wasn`t great) but I was playing it tonight and still, the long Bb doesn`t close properly. It`s only tiny, but enough to stop the notes coming out when I use it. And i`ve gotten used to using it a LOT. The bar which sticks down off the upper joint to connect to the lower joint wobbles side to side by a few millimetres and moves the C ring and Bb cover above it... could this be the problem? If I simply tightened the screw slightly would that work?

Also, middle B is really hard to get out...

Would those problems be easy to fix myself or should I take it back to the girl I got it off? Since it`s `mine` now would it still be her responsibility to get it fixed or will she most likely tell me to pay for it to get done myself?

I can`t make a major fuss or my parents will flip!

The best thing to do is to take it to the local repairman.

Or the band director if your im high school or a university

"Also, middle B is really hard to get out... "

B in the middle of the treble clef? i think that`s a sign of a faulty pad.

get your band director to check to see what`s wrong and if you really need to go to a repairman, go to a repairman. and if you don`t want your parents to know, ask your band director if he can get it fixed for you.

Help! Must learn to play Contralto clarinet for school. What fingerings do I use? Does anyone know a site that will show me a chart?

try the standard fingerings or go to
http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/clarinet

i hope this helps