Klarinet Archive - Posting 000244.txt from 1997/11

From: "Lou Polcari" <polcari@-----.net>
Subj: Re: barrels
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 1997 12:12:56 -0500

Hello Neil

>Well first of all, congratulations!

Thank you very very much... This is my first time for playing the part, and
I thought it would never happen.

>> 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

Neil this is great info, and I do agree with you on the barrel design. I
play on a hand made Borbeck German mp... and love it. I also agree that the
barrel is very important... So, I have decided to have one made by Phil
Muncy in N.C... I filled him in on the problems and let him know what set up
I use et and he said he would send one ASAP if I did not like it I could
send it back and we could work from there.

Again thanks for the kind words and great information.

Lou Polcari
polcari@-----.net

   
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