Klarinet Archive - Posting 000172.txt from 2005/10

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Upward Creeping pitch
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 21:32:26 -0400

In a message dated 10/19/2005 5:44:52 PM Central Daylight Time,
dnietham@-----.edu writes:
I know that some mouthpiece makers make mouthpieces that tune at 442.
My question, to which I have never received a satisfactory answer, is -
does this mouthpiece pitch designation imply a clarinet originally
tuned to 440 or 442?>>

Different sizes and shapes of the chamber of a mouthpiece can make a
mouthpiece tune higher or lower. However, there is no way of saying that a
mouthpiece will play at 442, or 440, or whatever until you also take the barrel (and
other factors) into consideration as well.

In general, a mouthpiece with a shorter chamber, or a more conical Vs
cylindrical chamber, WILL play higher all other considerations being the same.

Therefore, given certain assumptions, for example, like these:

use of a Buffet R13,
with a 66 mm barrel,
a well developed embouchure,
and good breath support,

One might state that a specific mouthpiece will play at or near 440, while
another mouthpiece will play higher, say in the 442 level.

Of course, reed strength, room temperature, humidity, etc., will all have
their various effects.

Clear as mud?

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetXpress.com
World-class clarinet mouthpieces
NEW Buffet Clarinets

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