Klarinet Archive - Posting 000446.txt from 2001/10

From: "Andrew J Middup" <Middup@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Bass Clarinet Side Trill Keys
Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2001 12:04:10 -0400

After reading favourable comments about the Buffet model 1193 bass clarinet
on this list and elsewhere, I had the opportunity to try one recently. It
was a lovely instrument and the tuning was generally very good as others
have reported but I did have problems with the intonation of the side trill
keys. I have the same problem with my current bass, a Leblanc low C single
register key model which is about 13 years old.

On both instruments I was using a Vandoren B40 mouthpiece with a No 3 reed.
After warming up I tuned the first space F using the crook and then the top
line F using the centre joint. This tuning process usually allows me to
control the tuning on all other notes as I play. However on both basses the
throat C and B were very flat and I was unable to bring them up. On the
Leblanc I find that the throat Bb using the side trill and A keys is in tune
but on the Buffet this Bb was also unusably flat. On further experimentation
on my Leblanc I find that the upper break alternative fingerings for the
altissimo are very sharp so there is probably a compromise tuning but I
don't seem to have a comparable problem on my soprano Buffet RC instruments.

It seems unlikely that two different models would have the same fault and I
wondered therefore if this is a problem which others have or is it more
likely something in my technique or set up which anyone can give me advice
about? Whilst I almost never use the altissimo alternative fingerings on the
bass, there are passages for which the throat B and C are ideal and it would
be very helpful to be able to use them.

Other than the tone which is very subjective, the main difference that I
noted between the two instruments was the stability in the clarion register
with the Buffet requiring much less coaxing when articulating the difficult
mid register notes. Can anyone tell me if this stability is directly
attributable to the double register key?

I would be very grateful for any advice or comments on these two points as I
consider whether to change instruments.

Andrew

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