Klarinet Archive - Posting 000896.txt from 1998/05

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] intonation in large groups
Date: Fri, 15 May 1998 17:13:01 -0400

On Fri, 15 May 1998, Mark Bradley wrote:

> Open G - adjust the barrel
> Chalumeau C and clarion G - adjust the middle
> Chalumeau _E_ and clarion B - adjust the bell {I edited this - I know
there was a typo in it. E.L.}

Mark, I like your procedure, but I recommend a couple of alterations in
it.

E natural, first line - adjust the barrel
Chalumeau C and Clarion G - adjust the middle joint, just as you have it
Low _F_ and clarion C - adjust the bell

The reasons I prefer the above are that I find the E more stable than the
open G, which can have intonation problems of its own aside from the
question of the general pitch level of the instrument. Also, I think the
low F/clarion C combination is easier to hear and more stable than the low
E/clarion B. It is true that any adjustments to the bell have
considerably more effect on the E and B than on the F and C. But again,
the lowest notes in each register have a different resistance from the
pitches just a half-tone higher, and young players in particular can be
misled by the different feel and tone quality of the notes. Naturally,
more advanced players can use any procedure, and after they have developed
their technique and their pitch perception and become familiar with the
intonation tendencies of their instruments, they probably will use only a
much simplified method of tuning. At that point, a single tone will
suffice.

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu

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