Klarinet Archive - Posting 000388.txt from 1997/04

From: "L. BORCHERT" <lborcher@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Barrels
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 1997 08:58:25 -0400

On Mon, 7 Apr 1997, Thomas Lankford wrote:

> On the same note, since I need a new barrel, (mine cracked). Why do we buy
> barrels at 64 mm when we always pull it out some to tune with everyone else??
> Just curious.
>
> Thomas
> Reedman2@-----.com
>

I know this reply is a few days late, months in pony express time and
about right for snail mail, but . . .
On Buffets, and many of the other brands, 66 mm is standard for B
flat and 65 mm is standard for A. If you are forced to play on a 64 mm
for correct intonation, I would also check in the following order (forgive
me if I inadvertently step on your toes):

1) your embouchure for proper formation
2) your breath support mechanism (Is it proper to call a biological
system a mechanism)?
3) overall mouthpiece length
4) speaker tube length or condition
5) type and measurements of your barrel (reverse taper bore or straight
and how large is the bore size in comparison to the bore of your clarinet

Perhaps some of the barrel makers on this list can be of more help to you.
I know Clark Fobes is on the list. What about Bob Scott (Michigan),
Charlie Bay (California), or Paul Covey (Baltimore)?

Just for your own information, I play on Buffet Vintage 66 mm on B flat
and 65 on A. I also have a Scott aa2 64 and 67 that I use occasionally.

Good luck!

Laroy

Dr. Laroy Borchert
Professor of Clarinet
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003

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