Klarinet Archive - Posting 001007.txt from 2000/02

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Eb Clarinets
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2000 20:47:33 -0500

----- Original Message -----
From: "Erin Hart" <eri_faery@-----.com>
Subject: [kl] Eb Clarinets

> Hi!
> On a different topic, I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about
Eb
> Clarinets,(are there many differences in playing them compared to Bb
> claris?) and which are the best Eb clarinets to get, as I have heard
people
> play ones that can be really out of tune.
> Thanks,
> Erin H
>

Eb clarinets must be *played* in tune. The ratio of bore diameter to length
is unfavorable for tuning purposes although, of course, some instruments are
better than others.

I'd suggest sticking with one from one of the major makers (Selmer, Buffet,
Leblanc, Yamaha) or one of the smaller, highly reputed makers such as
Patricola, etc.

Everything that affects a Bb clarinet is magnified on the Eb. If pad
heights are off, there goes your tuning. If your embouchure is off, the
results are far more noticeable. Even the height of your fingers above the
holes will have a noticeable impact on the tuning.

The altissimo register is more tricky on the Bb. There is a very strong
tendency to be flat and you really have to work on it to be in tune and not
shrill.

The mouthpiece is *absolutely critical*. I couldn't justify putting any
major money into an Eb so I bought a very used Selmer Bundy at a pawn shop.
With the stock Bundy mouthpiece (designed for beginners no doubt), I ran up
to 50 cents sharp on my tuner. I replaced that with a Vandoren 5RV and it
came right down into tune.

The Eb requires more discipline in embouchure, breath support, finger
motion, etc than the Bb.

However the Eb is really fun.

Dee Hays
Canton, SD

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