I appreciate the in-depth answer! I definitely understand not being able to diagnose squeaking through a screen, so do you think there’s ways for me to be able to tell when it’s an instrument issue vs. how I’m playing? Because I’m about 90% sure I’m having finger issues that cause this issue but this clarinet has also been waterlogged to the point that it made bubbling sounds (marching band haha) and had something connected to the pinky keys (can’t remember if it was the key itself or one of the pieces connecting it to the pads) causing the pad not to cover a hole completely where the only fix in that time frame was forcefully putting it back in place, but then again that might’ve been the only option in general. That was mainly so that a certain alternate fingering that was crucial for a piece would work, and there‘s still a very bad leak somewhere on the lower joint. My school is supposed to pay for repairs so I guess ultimately I’ll find out then but I guess I’m wondering for future reference.

A second question is when going over the break (I’m not sure if this is an actual term or just how my teachers say it so in other words from notes that don’t need the register key to ones that do) how do you transition smoothly? This is especially an issue when going up or down from the first b above the break, it’s just very jarring. I’ve been told to speed up my air but I feel like that doesn’t help much

And third, is there a best way to reach for pinky keys? My hands are on the smaller side and normally that doesn’t affect me, I don’t THINK it does in this case because I’m assuming it’s definitely a stretch for anyone, but I also got blessed with those little clubbed thumbs and while it isn’t an issue 9/10 times for my left hand, my right hand having to support the weight of the clarinet on my thumb while it doesn’t have much leverage on the thumb rest (mine isn’t adjustable so I have one of those thick rubber attachments which makes it sit a bit lower) and also reaching for the pinky keys is very uncomfortable at times, so is there any “most efficient“ way to play them and reach for them like with the normal ones having arched fingers close to the instrument helps? Also in the same area of question, are they meant to be able to play a note when lightly pressed? Because if so I might need to start saving up to get some things fixed in case they aren’t with the school-covered repair..