Klarinet Archive - Posting 000235.txt from 1997/11

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: barrels
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 1997 10:16:08 -0500

On Thu, 6 Nov 1997, Lou Polcari wrote:

> Just a few week ago I played an audition to for principle clarinet for the
> Central Coast Symphony and was offered the post. The problem is Barrels...

Well first of all, congratulations!

> I need a 64mm barrel now, and have some questions, one will it effect the
> tuning of the throat tones? Do you think I will need a short barrel for my
> Bb and an other for the A, or will the same barrel be Ok for both? What
> makers would you suggest... An old teacher suggested Muncy music's 64mm
> barrel.

The definitive answers to your questions depend on pieces of information
which only you possess. Basically, though, it's safe to say that you
*can* find a barrel which will raise your pitch and allow the throat
tones to remain in tune. Barrel acoustics and dimensions are as varied
as mouthpiece configurations, which means that you're bound to find
one with just the right taper and design which will manipulate your
sound the way you need it, given some time spent on trials and testing.
You might also consider a custom job, where somebody like Clark Fobes
might be willing to design a barrel specifically suited to your
instrument's idiosycracies. Maybe I'm suggesting something novel
here (custom-adapted barrels), but it seems like it should be
possible. With regard to the need for a different barrel for
each instrument, this again depends on your particular instruments.
By a freak of luck, I'm able to use the same 65mm barrell on both
my Bb and A clarinets, making switches during orchestra rehearsals
and performances a snap. But then, I think this "luck" has much
to do with the fact that I spent appreciable time developing flexibility
in my embouchure and breathing technique in order to ensure that
both instruments are in tune on that barrell. Given two different
instruments, I would have to adapt all over again, assuming they
were close enough in resistance and intonation to allow it.

Best of luck to you and, again, congrats on your new position.

Neil