Klarinet Archive - Posting 000335.txt from 2005/06

From: Karl Krelove <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] A voice from the past with a question for today
Date: Sun, 19 Jun 2005 20:25:21 -0400

Have you actually measured the *bores* (inside diameter) or are you
describing outside dimensions? Most of the time extra barrels are
included to deal with pitch variations in different playing
environments. And sometimes translations from Asian manuals to English
(and I assume other languages as well) are not very accurate - I suppose
they use Asian translators who speak English rather than English
speaking translators who understand the original language. In any case
the barrel you use will be the one that works best wherever you play the
clarinet. If you only play alone in your practice room, use the one that
produces the tone you like best. If you're playing in ensembles, pitch
becomes a primary issue and, if the one that gives you the easiest shot
at being in tune makes it harder to produce a tone you like, maybe
you'll be shopping for a third barrel soon.

Good luck with it.

Karl Krelove

Pat Flannery wrote:

> 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

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org