Klarinet Archive - Posting 000743.txt from 2002/11

From: Karl Krelove <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Tone
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 23:59:31 -0500

There are a lot of possibilities. You didn't say that you're using the same
mouthpiece, but if you aren't, that could explain the new sharpness. There
are several places where changes in bore dimensions could explain it. I
don't know what a Selmer 210 is - is it wood (could have changed in a number
of places from dryness after long disuse)? A wood barrel, especially if it
isn't lined inside with hard rubber, can change drastically as it dries out.
Reeds that are too stiff can cause sharpness (3.5 VanDorens could be light
on some mouthpieces, very heavy for others).

How knowledgeable is the person who "checked" the instrument? Did he only
check for obvious leaks or did he look for other problems? Did you mention
the sharpness to him or did you only notice it after he'd returned it to
you?

Besides any equipment problems, you could be going sharp by clinching or
biting the reed. Tension inside your mouth or jaw could push the pitch up
and have other consequences in your response and tone quality as well.

One method to pinpoint the problem is to eliminate each variable one at a
time. It's easiest to start with the player: have someone else play your
setup and see if he/she has the same problem. You play on the other person's
setup and see if the sharpness follows you or goes away. If it turns out
that you're the source of the sharpness, it's probably time to get yourself
to a competent teacher for a troubleshooting lesson or two (assuming you
aren't interested in returning to regular periodic lessons). If the setup
seems to be sharp no matter who is playing it then your next step could be
to substitute mouthpieces, then barrels, or simply go back to the repair
tech (or to another one if (s)he can't identify the problem).

Of course, I'm assuming that the pitch problem is yours to begin with - you
*have* checked it against a tuner of some kind, haven't you?

Good luck with it.

Karl Krelove

> -----Original Message-----
> From: HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN [mailto:hjpspm@-----.net]
> Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2002 12:15 PM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: [kl] Tone
>
>
> Hi, I am basically new to this forum. I used to be a major in
> college about
> 7 years ago. I have not played very regularly since, but recently, I have
> joined two symphonic bands in my community. Years ago, my tone was pretty
> accurate and I didn't have much problem tuning the instrument.
> However, my
> Selmer 210 is very sharp now when I play it. When I adjust the barrel, it
> is pulled out about the size of a nickel or more.
>
> I recently had the instrument checked, and only had to have a
> cork replaced
> under the right "C" and Eb keys. So I am thinking it probably is me. My
> embrochure is weaker and I am playing on Vandoren 3 1/2 reed. Does anyone
> have any suggestions?
>
> Please Help!
> Heather
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>

---------------------------------------------------------------------