Klarinet Archive - Posting 000592.txt from 1997/02

From: Adam Michlin <amichlin@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: R13 Intonation
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 1997 13:55:08 -0500

>Why is it that the R13 intonation has to be so bad? I recently bought a
>couple of discontinued LeBlanc LX's (new at a great price) to use when I
>travel for business (not wanting to take my R13's) and they play so well
>in tune (and easily) that I find myself playing them instead!
>
>Are we brainwashed? Has this been gone over before? I read vague
>references to "can't screw around with bore design to improve intonation >
>without interfering with tone... yada yada yada" But it appears that
>manufacturers can indeed split the intonation errors more evenly. The bore
>design on an R13 (reverse taper on top joint) is not even a "classical"
>cylinder design, so they are not pursuing an absolute purist design.
>
>Does Buffet care? Somebody take up the challenge and explain this to me.
>When I go back to play my R13's I cannot believe how out of tune they >
play...

I've never tried the LeBlanc clarinets, but I did have an opportunity to
try a Yamaha. I found it also to play much more in tune than my R13. Why
didn't I buy it? Well, I also felt it lacked character (now there's a
nebulous concept). The sound lacked life, but it was much more naturally
in tune.

R13s (especially good R13s) *can* be played in tune, but on the average it
takes a lot more effort and pitch awareness. I've always found them to
have that life and character I found missing in the Yamaha. I'm willing to
put in the work to get the R13 to play in tune to get that sound. And
remember, a lot of R13 players are oblivios to the fact that they're
playing out of tune. I spent more time oblivious to this than I'd care to
admit.

My repairman (who had prompted me to try the Yamaha for an opinion)
suggested that it was exactly the imperfections in the R13 thatgave the
clarinet it's character and individual sound. Unfortunately, this also
messes with the intonation.

One totally unscientific opinion,

-Adam
amichlin@-----.edu
amichlin@-----.com