Klarinet Archive - Posting 001139.txt from 1999/03

From: Jack Kissinger <kissingerjn@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: [kl] Tuners - what's a good one to buy?
Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 08:48:43 -0500

Hi Jim,

I think I had better clarify what I was getting at. As Joshua pointed out,
because the clarinet is a Bb instrument, it plays two half-steps below
concert pitch. In other words, when you play a C on your instrument, the
note it plays actually corresponds to a Bb in concert pitch (e.g., a Bb on
piano, flute or other C instrument). If the tuner is OK, then when you play
a C you should be reading a Bb on the tuner. If the tuner shows an Ab when
you play C, then the tuner is indeed registering a note low.

As far as the 50 cents issue is concerned, I don't have the same tuner as
you. I just have a "cheapo" Qwik Tune. Its meter only registers to 50 cents
on either side and, I suspect, is not as accurate when it gets into that area
-- at that point, it's trying to decide "Am I hearing a very flat C or a very
sharp B?" Particularly if your instrument is (perhaps) a little sharp to
begin with, when you set the meter to look for a C, then play a C on your
clarinet, the meter *thinks* it is supposed to be hearing a C when it is
actually hearing a Bb and concludes "this is really a flat C" and registers
it as flat as it can -- the alternative would be not to register anything at
all which may not be an option for your meter -- I haven't tried it on mine

Some things to try out after you've had your morning coffee. ;^)

Best regards,
Jack

James P Reed wrote:

> Yes, now that I think about it, I believe that's what I'm doing. I need
> to set up my horn and try again this morning but that seems to be what I
> recall from last night.
>
> I'm having the reverse problem, it's early and I haven't had my quota of
> coffee, since I usually drink it and read my mail when I first crawl out
> in the morning.

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