Klarinet Archive - Posting 000190.txt from 1994/03

From: Lindsay Williams <lyws@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: barrel question
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 1994 22:58:48 -0500

>
> I recently purchased a new Portnoy mouthpiece on my return to school.
> Wonderful piece, and after some practice, I am growing very fond of it.
> However, I have a problem.
>
> The Portnoy plays much flatter than my previous Combs mouthpiece. For me,
this
> is a boon - my Buffet plays EXTREMELY sharp, such that at times with the Combs
> I had to pull out in the middle joint. The Portnoy seemed to solve this
> admirably.
>
> Yet, I get into Symphonic Band rehearsal, and the tuner they have - admittedly
> an older one - still shows me at quite sharp, and STILL having to pull out my
> middle joint. Yet the mouthpiece plays FLATTER than my last one. I'm still
> scratching my head over that one...
>
> In any event, I would like to solve the problem once and for all. My
> professor owns a Buffet also - the serial #'s are very close together, and he
> says the instruments play almost exactly the same. His also plays very sharp,
> but he doesn't have to yank on barrel joints half as bad as I do. The #'s
fall
> in the 62,000 range - around the late 50's, if I remember right.
>
> Do I need to buy a longer barrel? Or is there something I can do to the
> clarinet to bring me "down to pitch"? Or am I simply destined to be out of
> tune?
>
> HELP!!!!
>
> -- Scott
>

Dear Scott,

I have been having intonation problems with my horn as well, only my
instrument has been flat, and my clarinet has a 50,000 serial number. To
fix intonation problems, my teacher obtained a shorter barrel. The pitch
went up, but I'm still out of tune. We have concluded that I need to try
another mouthpiece.
My suggestion to you is to try a longer barrel. You never know what
might work. I suggest Chadash barrels in New York. I just recently bought
one and I like the way it plays. If you need the address to order one, write
back and I will give it to you.
I hope this helps. Good luck!

Sincerely,

Lindsay Williams
lyws@-----.edu