Klarinet Archive - Posting 001034.txt from 2000/02

From: "Diane Karius, Ph.D." <dikarius@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Eb Clarinets
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 03:48:06 -0500

Dee:

Regarding your Eb - did the 5RV have the same affect on the altissimo
range? If so, how did you counter that?

I'm curious because my Selmer/bundy Eb with a Fobes mouthpiece is
generally sharp without a lot of work on my part, but the altissimo
is so flat I've hesitated to try other mouthpieces - Short of a
mouthpiece driving the altissmo so flat that I could lip down from
half a step up, I'm not sure I could control the sound and still
bring up the pitch.

>
> > 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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>
Diane R. Karius, Ph.D.
Department of Physiology
University of Health Sciences
1750 Independence Ave.
Kansas City, MO 641o6-1453
email: dikarius@-----.EDU
http://uhsweb.edu/physio

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