Klarinet Archive - Posting 000133.txt from 1995/04

From: robert villarreal <rvillarr@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: A good question...
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 1995 08:46:52 -0400

On Mon, 10 Apr 1995, CLARK FOBES wrote:

> Robert Villarreal wrote:
>
> >
> >Is there any reason that the 'A' just above the staff is the first note
> >(while going up the chromatic scale) that has a tendency to refuse to
> >sound with good tone from the very start of its attack? It seems that
> if
> >I have a reed that does not respond at its optimum level in a certain
> >octave, the 'A' is at the lowermost or uppermost end of that octave.
> >
> >I doubt that the problem is in my playing (I'm working on my Master's
> in
> >Clarinet Performance). Could it be characteristic of the six-finger
> >instruments?
> >
> >Incidentally, I seem to recall a similar problem on my tenor recorder.
> >
> >Thank you.
> >Robert
> >
> >This problem is very common on Buffet A clarinets, but not so common on
> the Bb. The best position for the register tube to excite the interval
> of the twelfth is one third the distance between the tone hole and the
> mouthpiece (The calculation is probably made from the top of the bore
> inside the mouthpiece) If you look at your clarinet you can readily see
> that the most appropriately placed tone hole is the one that produces
> the Bb/F. In most cases this interval is the most in tune and the
> twelfths become wider as you approach either the bell or the mouthpiece.
> This would be especially true if the tube remained perfectly cylindrical
> and there was no bell flare.
>
> Even more problematic is the fact that the register tube must
> function as a tone hole for throat Bb. The diameter is not really wide
> enough to produce a clear Bb, but if it were it would not be
> sufficiently small enough to excite the twelfth. I have done a lot of
> experimenting with register tubes and have pretty much come to the
> conclusion that Buffet has a pretty good compromise. Both the RC and the
> Festival models have the tube placed about 2mm higher and the problem
> with the resistant "A" seems to be much less.
>
> In the case of the Buffet A clarinets I think that this area is
> in need of attention on the R-13 models. The configuration of the upper
> bore is slightly different than the Bb and this may have an adverse
> acoustical effect as well. I usually cut the "A" clarinet tubes .020".
> This helps the stuffy A and brings the Throat Bb up in pitch a bit. If
> you choose to shorten the register tube on your A clarinet be precise.
> Too much shortening will cause the left hand clarion notes to rise in
> pitch.
>
> I have also had some success with enlarging the D/A tone hole
> slightly. This has to be done with a special tool, so don't try this one
> at home.

Now we're talking! I really does seem that the construction of my
clarinet (which happens to be a B-flat R-13) or the clarinet in general
is at fault.
Two questions: 1) What's "tubes" are you talking about?
2) Does adjusting the D/A tone hole affect the D/A or the
notes just above it (that I've been told blow the sound
through that tone hole)?

>
> Because the problem is rare on Bb clarinets I would suggest
> making certain that :
>
> a: the tone hole is clean
> b: the register tube is clean
> c: the instrument is sealing properly

I had my clarinet completely worked over at Brannen Woodwinds (Evanston,
IL) in September, so I doubt that I have any of those sorts of problems.
Eureka! I don't recall having a problem since then, so maybe the
problem WAS in the maintenence of my clarinet! I'm sorry I didn't take
that into account...The fact that this problem arose in the tenor
recorder as well had me convinced that it was a characteristic among
6-finger combination instruments.

> d: if you are not using a reverse cone tapered barrel already
> try one. This can have a very positive effect on focusing
> in tones in the upper left hand clarion.

I play on a Bay built for an R-13 (it actually fits funny). I bought it for
its length and resistence. Is it a reverse cone tapered barrel? Just
wondering...

Thanks!

Robert
University of Notre Dame