Klarinet Archive - Posting 000805.txt from 2002/11

From: "HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN" <hjpspm@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Tone
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2002 00:00:33 -0500

The clarinet is a wood clarinet, with silver plated keys. It says Selmer
210, although I have visited Selmer's website and could not find the model.
It is not older than ten years. The mouthpiece is the original that came
with the instrument, although I have been browsing for a better one.

The person who looked over the instrument actually stuck his own mouthpiece
on and played it. He is a professional who owns a large and reputable
store. I have been biting the reed a little, but it does not feel too stiff
for me, although a little over an hour after rigorous playing, my mouth is a
little tired.

I have a chromatic tuner and am trying to "open" my throat, this seems to
help the tone, but my barrel is still pulled out significately. I thank
anyone for any suggestions.

Heather a.k.a Sharpie (lol)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Karl Krelove" <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subject: RE: [kl] Tone

> 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
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
>
>
>
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>

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