Klarinet Archive - Posting 000660.txt from 2002/01

From: "CLARK FOBES " <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Gaps in clarinets
Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2002 11:55:54 -0500

Before all of you geniuses out there pat yourselves on the back I would like
to point out that sometimes a gap in a tenon is desireable in some areas of
the instrument.

I prefer mouthpiece tenons to fit snugly into the barrel joint. This insures
proper intonation and good response. As for the rest of the instrument, this
is a matter of taste.

Generally we do not play with barrels pushed all of the way in, so the
slight "lacuna" that results creates some turbulence that can be noticed as
a slight "cushion" to the sound. A gap that approaches 1mm will affect the
throat tones negatively (lower in pitch) by causing a localized enlargement
of the bore. (F and E seem to be affected the most).

The gap between the center joints is interesting. If you were to measure the
bore of the upper and lower joint where they meet you may find that these
two numbers do not match. I have measured many Buffet clarinets and found
that the general measurement
is usually around .577" or 14.65mm. Some clarinets are a bit larger and some
a bit smaller. In the case of a clarinet where the upper bore measures .575
and the lower bore.577 there is a slight choke. If the opposite occurs there
is sudden enlargement of the bore. In the first case a slight gap would
increase the turbulence and in the second case a slight gap might create
some needed turbulence to increase resitance. This , as I said is a matter
of taste and worth experimenting with.

I have always used tuning rings at the middle joint of Buffet clarinets,
because they are just too sharp in the right hand clarion. I use the
standard Buffet .5mm tuning rings. These rings are made so that the ID is
larger than the bore diameter. This insures that the ring does not occlude
the bore. My Prestige Bb clarinet measures .577 at both the upper and lower
joint bore, but the very slight enlargement of the bore as a result of the
.5mm tuning ring created a postive resistance IMO. (Note: if you decide to
add a tuning ring to the middle joint tenon it is a good idea to make anothe
r ring to fit around the shoulder of the upper joint tenon so that the
clarinet does not "rock" at the middle joint. I have simply made these rings
out of 1/32" sheet cork.)

There is also a choke where the bell meets the lower joint. I have found
that pulling the bell slightly allow for a gap that seems to mitigate some
of the stuffines on the low "G" of some A clarinets and generally produces a
long "B" that is a bit warmer.

Just some interesting alternate views on the subject.

Clark

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