Klarinet Archive - Posting 000751.txt from 2002/10

From: "James Hobby" <jhobby@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] New intonation problem
Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 13:24:23 -0500

(And I do mean new, as in the lasts month, tops.)

Instrument is a Selmer 9* Bb, built in 1961. Pete Fountain crystal
mouthpiece, replaced in (I think) 1964 when I dropped my first one against
the stand base in the orchestra pit. No new equipment or changes to it. No
screws have been adjusted. It hasn't been banged or bumped. The pads look
okay. Register key has cork. I don't find any obvious leaks. (The
articulated C#/G# is sticking for some reason, but that shouldn't matter,
since the key is closed for all the notes in question. I just noted that
last Thursday, and figured I'd include it as a datum, just in case.)

When I start warm up, throat Bb is in tune, A is very flat, Ab is very flat,
G is in tune. Usual warmup drills. Warmed up, throat Bb is in tune, A is
very sharp, Ab is very sharp, G is in tune.

When I say "very" I don't mean that I can't lip it up or down, but certainly
shouldn't have to. I've never had to before. I've tried a couple of other
mouthpieces that I don't really like, just to compare, and the same problem
exists.

I haven't tried them yet, but I bought a bag of pipe cleaners today.
Anybody else got a suggestion of what would make such a sudden change???

Jim Hobby

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