Klarinet Archive - Posting 000354.txt from 2003/02

From: CBA <clarinet10001@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] r-13 barrel length
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2003 11:37:43 -0500

Vandoren mouthpieces play significantly flatter than most other
mouthpieces, and the 13 series Vandorens play an extra amount
flatter to be for the US market, where we supposedly are A=440
crazy (Europe tends to be more liberal in the A=442 and up
realm.) I would say on the B45 13 mouthpiece alone, I would have
to use a 64 barrel with my setup, which is why I stopped all of
my students from the 13 series. It becomes quite limiting
because of the flatness.

The B45 lyre should be a little better with pitch, but the 65
barrel is not really far off from the norm. That's why barrels
are made from 63-69 mm for Bb and A clarinets, the most
available ones being 64-67. I'd say 65 is right smack in the
center of the norm. Barrel length always depends on the player
anyway, and some players specifically use shorter barrels so
they can use a less tight embouchure, and not have to bite.

The Chadash barrels, in my experience, tend to have a more
projecting sound, but tend to be a little flatter with the
different internal bore taper than the stock Buffet barrels, so
that could be another factor.

As far as the 20 year hiatus since you last played, if you get
back up to playing maybe 45 minute-1 hour a day before you get
tired, I would say your embouchure is the least of your worries.
If your mouth feels weak in 15 minutes, your embouchure would be
a major factor in the flatness.

Kelly Abraham
Woodwinds - New York City
--- Dan Arsenault <danarsenault@-----.net> wrote:
> Here's another newbie r-13 question. To get reasonably in tune
> (clariaon a
> little high, chalumeau a lttle low) i use 65mm chaddish barrel
> with VanDoren
> 13 type mouthpieces (B45 lyre and B45 13) as opposed to the
> stock 66mm
> barrel that came with the instrument. Is this unusual or more
> a sign of my
> haven't-played-in-20-years embrouchure weakness?

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