Klarinet Archive - Posting 000238.txt from 2005/08

From: Robert Howe <arehow@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Sharp alto clarinet
Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 20:13:15 -0400

Gary Smith wrote:

"I can think of a lot of ways to flatten an alto clarinet (broad wink
to the peanut gallery), but is it by chance a really, really old
instrument? The pitch standard in the early 20th century was a bit
higher for band instruments..."

Vito did not begin business until after 1950, by which date the old "sharp
pitch" (ie, a quarter tone high, A = 452) British days had ended. So this
instrument is certainly built to A = 440. I have an F alto clarinet by
Boosey from 1900 or so, and a soprano sax by Conn from 1912, both of which
are clearly sharp pitch (and are so marked!) and trust me you, there is NO
confusing the issue. It is unmistakable, this is FAR beyond the pale of an
instrument being a little high or a little low. Hell, an Austrian oboe
built to A = 444 is unmistakable!

I have noted that many fine clarinettists play sharp on my bassett horns at
first--this is across brands, Selmer, Buffet, LeBlanc--but that blowing
scales for half hour with a tuner sounding a continuous A = 440 corrects
things, the "instrument" is no longer "built sharp"--rather, the player has
to adjust to a different horn. Analogous to the bass clarinettists who
squeeeek on every note above the break for the first half hour.

Get a David Hite alto clarinet mouthpiece, use a lighter reed and pull the
barrel out. It will work.

Ciao

Robert Howe

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