Klarinet Archive - Posting 000045.txt from 2007/09

From: Ed Lowry <edwinlowry@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Low D on Selmer 45 bass clarinet
Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:37:34 -0400

I own a Selmer Low-C model 45 bass clarinet, acquired
early this year, with which I am quite satisfied. I
have a question which has been bugging me for some
time, and I’m hoping one of the experts (or
physicists) out there might be able to answer.

The lowest D on this instrument is quite sharp. I’ve
added beeswax to the appropriate tone hole, and the
sound and tuning are now fine. (Tuning of all notes is
good, (although the midline B is still a bit sharp as
I understand is typical for this model) and the timbre
of the low D is similar to the notes just above and
below it.) However, I had to cover half of the hole
with wax. It doesn’t make sense to me that an
instrument designed, and presumably manufactured, to
tolerances in the hundredths of inches would require a
single tone hole to be lowered, in effect, about half
an inch. Acoustically, how can one vary the dimensions
that much? Shouldn’t all model 45s require their
tone holes be lowered that much as well? Or is it
possible that my embouchure/mouthpiece, or something
else can affect just that one note on the instrument
by such a large amount?

I’m sending this both to the clarinet and bass
clarinet lists – sorry if you get it twice.

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