The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: potatohead
Date: 2004-06-14 15:00
Hello everyone,
I've already searched this and I didn't exactly come up with what I was looking for so here I go.
I was playing along with the piano on a solo I had when I reached the last note, low E, it was horribly out of tune with the piano. I checked the piano with a tuner (don't ask) and it was pretty much on pitch, but when I checked myself, I was about 25 cents sharp on low E, F, and maybe F#. Any suggestions? I tried loosening my embouchure a little when I got to the bottom, but it doesn't help it enough to bring it closer in tune. It only brings it down about 3 cents. It's always been a problem, but do you have any suggestions?
-MG
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-06-14 15:45
Try pulling the bell out about a quarter-inch. How's the intonation of the low-clarion B,C, and C#?
If simple fixes don't work, perhaps a resonance hole in the bell might work, or rounding (radiussing) of a sharp bell rim, possibly combined with register vent tube modification or replacement, may be required.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-06-14 16:41
CORRECTION: Please disregard my suggestions about adding a vent hole or radiussing the bell rim --- these only help raise FLAT lower chalumeau notes --- the opposite problem! Doh.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-06-14 16:43
I've never tried this on clarinet, but I successfully lowered the pitch of the sharp low-Bb on my soprano sax by lining the inside of the bell rim (near the exit) with a strip of gasket-type material. It's not pretty but it works --- such an approach should also work on clarinet --- as a last resort.
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2004-06-14 17:09
Potatohead,
I'm curious, what clarinet and set up are you using. Any clarinet I've ever played had the opposite intonation problem with the lower chalumeau notes.
John
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Author: Avie
Date: 2004-06-14 19:26
Before warm up my problem is also the opposite with low E, F, G, being flat and gradually comming into pitch in the upper register. When warmed up the upper register becomes sharp and the chalumeau register gradually comes into pitch at which time I have to pull out the barrel to compromise the pitch depending on which register the piece is played in. Is this common with clarinets? I would rather not attempt any hole or bevel modifications for fear of permanently damaging the instrument.
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Author: potatohead
Date: 2004-06-14 20:51
John O'Janpa- I'm using a Buffet E12 with a Vandoren 5RV lyre mpc, Bonade ligature, and Mitchell Lurie 3.5 reeds.
I will try pull out the bell... then we'll see....
Thank you,
MG
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