Klarinet Archive - Posting 000261.txt from 1997/04

From: Jacqueline Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Wide twelfths
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 1997 08:56:32 -0400

On Mon, 7 Apr 1997, Gary Van Cott wrote:

> Gary VanCott = NHIN
> 04/07/97 04:33 PM
> I have a relatively new Buffet R-13. When I bought it I had tuner in hand
> and don't remember any particular problems.
>
> Now, I have noticed that the twelfths are a bit wide and a few notes are
> further out than the rest. The worst is the first line E, which is at least
> 15 cents flat. Middle C is a bit on the flat side too. The clarion register
> notes are pretty consistent.
>
> Questions: Can the twelfths change over this rather short period of time?
> Can the E be fixed without messing up the clarion B?
>
> Gary
> Las Vegas, NV
>
> Gary_VanCott@-----.com
>
The fingering I routinely use for first-line E (first finger & thumb,
right?) is adding the left-hand pinky C# key. Of course, I can't use it
in rapid passages, but then if it's that fast, no-one should be able to
tell that the note is out.

I don't know about the suspicious "widening" of the twelfths, but in my
experience, Buffets are known for this "tuning". I don't know why, but it
has something to do with optimal placement of the tone holes.

Jacqueline Eastwood
University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
eastwooj@-----.edu