Klarinet Archive - Posting 000329.txt from 2005/06

From: Pat Flannery <pjfnefro@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] A voice from the past with a question for today
Date: Sun, 19 Jun 2005 17:28:02 -0400

Hi there-

I'm a long-time member who rarely posts but I've got a question about
barrels. I just came across a Simba CL-200 Bb Soprano clarinet with two
barrels. One is short and fat (wide bore) and the other is long and
thin (narrow bore). They both fit the same mouthpiece (the connections
are the same, the bores are different). The owner's manual says two
barrels are included for a "choice of tone." This is the first time
I've seen this and wonder what you guys think of it. I should say this
is a Chinese clarinet. Try not to laugh, it blows easier than any I've
tried and, with the short fat barrel, sounds kind of extra reedy; it
looks like it's modeled after a Yamaha, judging by the key work and
general appearance.

What effect does shape of barrel have on tone, playability, and most
importantly, tuning? This is a gross generalization I know, but most
French (or faux French) clarinets I've seen have had the short fat
barrel while German (or faux German) clarinets seem to have the long
slim type barrel. Am I making any sense here?

-Pat Flannery
Duke Med Center (obviously an amature)

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