Klarinet Archive - Posting 000095.txt from 2005/10

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Pruefer Clarinet
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2005 20:32:21 -0400

At 03:03 PM 10/10/2005 -0700, you wrote:
>Have you determined the pitch of the note that comes out when you
>finger a C? Without something more specific, it sounds as if you
>have a "LOW PITCH" B-flat clarinet, but the identification of the
>pitch of the clarinet is not possible without you condirming what
>note comes out when you play a C. You'll have to find an in tune
>piano to answer that question.

And further information for Don Morris:

In case you did not know, "Low Pitch" is a GOOD thing. It means the
instrument is tuned to A=440 Hz, rather than the "High Pitch" standard
around A=451 that was fairly common before they fixed the pitch
internationally. (I still cannot for the life of me understand why they
are now tinkering with this perfectly acceptable and well-entrenched
solution to the pitch problem!) During the time when both standards were
in use, all new instruments had to be marked so you would know which was
which. I concur with Dan that the "B" really means Bb, but it would be
best to prove it with a tuner or some other known reference. The
wrap-around register keys went out with button shoes by the 19-teens or
so. My Carl Fisher A clarinet has one. No register tube is needed, which
seems to improve throat Bb a bit. Pruefer was a decent brand at the time,
so depending on condition and whether you can find a more suitable bell and
barrel, it might be worth some restoration, but don't spend a LOT of money
on it. I did not have the original barrel for my A clarinet either, but
found the plastic Bundy 1400 barrel (with its wide, cylindrical bore,
typical of that era) works perfectly, much better than either of the two
that came with it -- AND it was cheap!

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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