Klarinet Archive - Posting 000425.txt from 1997/10

From: Dee Hays <deerich@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Intonation (I think)
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 1997 01:51:23 -0400

Janet McNaught wrote:

> ..... My question is this; Over the range of the clarinet, are there certain
> notes with markedly different harmonics from those immediately above and
> below in the scale? (I think that is what I mean - sets of undertones and
> overtones). I am finding that the full B natural (middle of the staff)
> sounds different than the C above it, and the throat B flat. I first
> thought that the intonation was flat, but had it checked by my repair man,
> and he says it's fine. So, is it possible that there are fewer overtones or
> undertones on that note? It is not just my clarinet, (a Selmer series 9) as
> by teacher played the same thing on his Buffet and I think I heard the same
> effect. And I don't think its the way I hear that frequency, because I heard
> the same thing on his A clarinet.
>
> And does this make any difference? Am I just hearing things? Is there some
> weakness in the voicing of the clarinet for which I should be trying to
> compensate?
>
> Janet McNaught

You are not just hearing things. The throat Bb is probably the most noticeably
different sounding note on the clarinet. Matter of fact it can sound different
between the chromatic fingering and using the long side key fingering. You
might want to try out these two on your clarinet, listening for the difference.

The throat Bb uses a very short amount of the clarinet tube. This alone will
affect its tonal "color". Then there are the compromises that are necessary in
making a clarinet. The optimum size and location of the hole for the register
key hole is actually different than the optimum size and location of the hole
for playing Bb. If you select for the Bb, it will throw the tuning off on the
registers. If you select it for correct register intonation, it makes the Bb
sound poor (generally a stuffy sound in addition to being out of tune). So
every maker compromises. I believe experimental clarinets have been built with
separate keys for the Bb and register key but they never caught on.

On my clarinet, the register key hole runs to the small side. This is good for
keeping the registers in tune, but I have to pay special attention to the Bb.
On slow passages, I typically opt for the side Bb where practical. Also, I
clean the hole regularly. Since it is small to start with, the slightest bit of
buildup makes a big difference in the sound.

Dee Hays
deerich@-----.net
Canton, SD