Klarinet Archive - Posting 000084.txt from 1996/03

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Intonation
Date: Mon, 4 Mar 1996 12:28:36 -0500

Nancy,
There are generally three reasons for being flat on the clarinet:
1) Too soft reed/insufficiently firm embouchure
2) Unusually flat mouthpiece
3) Unusually flat instrument
It seems that you have already dealt with at least one of these. The
solution to the other two are another mouthpiece and a shorter barrel.
That being said, there are one or two other considerations: have you
checked your instrument against a TUNER or just against the other
musicians at the rehearsal? I say this because if they are not good
musicians you may find the pitch has risen enormously because they have
mediocre instruments and mediocre ears which are not aware of the problem.
Are you sure you are supporting correctly? I have had two students who, despite
having standard mouthpieces/clarinets
and nice, strong reeds (at least 3 1/2's) were flat in the high register.
It turned out that they simply weren't supporting enough, even though
their tone was decent enough. Could this be the case here? You don't
mention a teacher's advice. Do you have one? If not, it's time to spend
a little money and seek out a knowledgeable professional. I mean, if
you're having chest pains do you call all your friends and ask what they
think is going on or call a doctor (even if it costs)?

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet, Sax instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Thu, 29 Feb 1996, Nancy Barlar (MUSIC) wrote:

> I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me with an intonation
> problem I've been having. It seems that no matter how long I have
> played, I am very flat. I have gone up a strength in reeds from a V12
> 3and a half to a 4. This reed type has seemed to get me the best tone.
> I have checked my instrument and it doesn't seem to have any leaks or
> anything. As far as I can tell and the others I play with regularly I
> don't seem to have changed my embouchure. Has anyone else ever had this
> problem? I've played 3 or 4 hour rehearsals and just barely gotten up to
> pitch. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
>