Klarinet Archive - Posting 000449.txt from 2002/12

From: "Natilius Theresius Visagius" <brazilian_penguins@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Intonation and allergies
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2002 22:52:40 -0500

I have two questions. First of all, my clarinet seems to have odd intonation
problems. My thumb F is almost always flat by about 20-25 cents (though it
is pushed in all the way at the barrel), My middle C is extremely sharp (so
much so that I have to pull the bell out about to the cork), and every other
note seems to have it's own interpretation of "in tune." I'm on Vandoren 3
1/2s with a Vandoren 5RV 13 mouthpiece on a Buffet E-12. I was thinking that
maybe I need a little bit harder reed. It might raise the F a bit (right?),
and I would just have to tolerate having a bell about to fall off the end.
Any suggestions? Is my horn screwed up, maybe?

Secondly, I'm helping out one of my fellow clarinets with her chair audition
tape that we have to make over the holiday break. I noticed today that she
was on a plastic-coated reed (which neither I nor my band director care
for). I told her she should probably play on regualar reeds, but she
explained to me that her skin becomes highly agitated and breaks out, which
causes her great pain (there's even a scar right where the mouthpiece rests
on her lip). Does anyone know if there is a cure (or even what the problem
is)? My band director suggested vasaline, but apparently she's tried it
already with no improvement. Or maybe there is some kind of tape or cover of
some sort that she could place on her lip?

Thanks in advance.
Natalie

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