Klarinet Archive - Posting 000694.txt from 2003/03

From: EClarinet@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] intonation
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 00:44:35 -0500

In a message dated 3/17/03 4:17:37 AM EST, Barb writes:

<< Which brings me to a new question... After have spent the greater part
of this season playing on various professional instruments going back
to my yamaha has been quite the culture shock. I am surprised by the
amount that I do have to pull out. Now, our director is forever tuning
us sharp so it's normal for me to pull out but i am pulling out to the
cork. Is this normal? For me yes, but only on the yamaha. Is this a
design thing with yamahas or plastic instruments in general?

thanks,
Barb >>

Hi Barb and all--

Yes, it is normal for plastic student clarinets to be very sharp. The
manufacturers do this on purpose, because most the people who play these
instruments are kids who play very flat---air too slow, bad voicing, and bad
embouchure---and so the sharpness of the horn automatically compensates for
this.

I would never pull all the way out to the cork at any joint. Try 'splitting
the difference', and pull at barrel AND mouthpiece.

Elise Curran
Orlando

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