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transplants

Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-05-14 19:27

This morning I had a rehearsal of a Verdi opera. Several times I had to play a low E on my A clarinet, in unison with the oboe. His note (concert C#) is a bit on the high side. So I was just about to ask him (again) if he could bring the note down for me, when I spotted my C clarinet, and wondered whether the bell would actually fit on my A clarinet. The C clarinet bell is a lot shorter than the A clarinet bell, but it fit on the bottom of my A clarinet perfectly! And guess what? The pitch of my low E came up, but only a little bit! Actually just enough to be in tune with the oboist. I had expected it to be MUCH sharper. Of course the overblown B was then too sharp. But what amazed me was how little difference such a big change made. Which made me question those clarinet players who swear that the exact position of their bell makes a difference...

Fortunately I have a few bars rest before and after these low E's, so I will be able to do the bell switch without any problems.

Perhaps this idea didn't come from nowhere- last week I realised that my B-flat clarinet sounds a lot better when played with my A clarinet barrel. Anybody else tried this kind of transplant?

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Re: transplants

Author: clarinerd
Date: 2004-05-14 21:02

I've tryed those kinds of "transplants" too. I think that sometimes, these things make a huge difference. And sometimes nearly none at all. If you want to see a huge difference, in tone that is, try a bell made by Morrie Backun.

Db flat sharp on oboe? Must not be the one below the staff....If I'm not mistaken, that note is the lowest and worst note on the instrument. Oboists hate that note.

Also, I find the position of my bell makes the biggest difference in overall tone...not intonation. Affects the E and B the most intonation wise.

Good luck with that oboist.

Mark

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Re: transplants

Author: woodwind650
Date: 2004-05-14 21:18

i would agree w/mark, try morrie backun's bells. they're amazing!!!!!

http://www.backunmusical.com

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