Klarinet Archive - Posting 000454.txt from 2001/10

From: rgarrett@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [kl] Bass Clarinet Side Trill Keys
Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2001 16:32:26 -0400

At 05:04 PM 10/14/2001 +0100, you wrote:
>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.

I would urge you to tune the low C, the open G, and the long C (third space
C) first. The thumb F is not a reliable note to tune on any clarinet that
I am aware of - especially the Buffet line. They have a tendency to be low
in the first place, and the first trill key is opened to bring the pitch up.

>However on both basses the throat C and B were very flat and I was unable
>to bring them up.

Andrew,

I am not sure which C and B you are referring to - as the throat tones
involve open G, G#, A and Bb. I have never heard of B or C in any register
referred to as "throat" B and C. Which ones do you mean?

>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.

Is the A natural also flat or just the Bb? If the former, double check the
height of the pad on the A and Bb cups (throat) and see if there is
suitable clearance. Use the adjustment screw on the top of the A key to
adjust if necessary. If the latter, you may need to have these tone holes
undercut by someone with the proper undercutting tool.

>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.

I would need exact fingerings and note examples to answer clearly - but the
pitch relationships of the altissimo register using the "false" or
overblown fingerings (throat) are not going to be similar in any way to
your Bb instrument. The overblown throat G, G#, A and Bb (being altissimo
D, D#, E and F) will have more of a tendency to be flat than sharp on most
basses. You need to describe which fingerings you are using in order to
know why the notes are sharp on your Leblanc.

>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?

It is not the double register key - because most other pro models have the
double octave mechanism. It is my understanding that the redesign of this
instrument in terms of the bore size, taper, and placement of tone holes
(size of holes also) contributed to a better centering of the pitch and
tone in the area you describe.

Best,
Roger Garrett

Illinois Wesleyan University
PO Box 2900
Bloomington, IL 61702-2900

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