 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SuzyQ
Date: 2005-05-11 13:05
About 4 monthes ago I purchased a buffet international (also know as c13?) from Woodwind-Brasswind.
I have been very happy with it and it played quite well in tune.
It seems however that ever since about the middle of March it has drastically changed to being SHARP! It is SO sharp, that I must pull out at the barrel, middle joint, and bell.
My teacher told me it was the warmer weather and the only thing to make it flatter was to buy a new barrel.
Now, what would you suggust I do?
I have a RM-10 mouthpiece, vandoren reeds, and bonade ligature. At this point I am not interested in changing around my whole set-up...
If you do suggust a new barrel- what do you recomend? I am totally clueless about barrels. :-) I have tons of questions, but will wait and see what you guys think.
Suzy
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-05-11 15:41
I agree that I would try a longer barrel and see if that helps. You might have to try several before you get the exact fit for your instrument. I would focus on length of barrel first--so you might start out with a "Click" barrel just to see if that helps the tuning. I don't like their tone, but one would work to see if that solves the problem. Perhaps there is a clarinet player around that would loan you one for the day and you could practice with the tuner and see what you think. When you know how far you're going to need to pull out you'll know what length barrel to get.
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Author: lllebret
Date: 2005-05-11 22:38
A longer barrel might be the answer, but why don't you try tuning rings first?
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Author: Fred
Date: 2005-05-12 13:01
Tuning rings are washer-like thingies made in varying thicknesses which are typically designed to fit into the bottom tenon receiver of the barrel. They can be made of various materials - plastic, wood, etc. They act as spacers, simulating pulling out at the barrel, except that there is no gap as there would be if you just pulled the barrel out.
So why not just pull out? Some folks with good ears say that a clarinet sounds better with the gap filled than with it open. Personally, I pull out. "Gap Deficiency" does not appear on my radar screen when evaluating things I could improve. Besides, I got one stuck in the barrel one time and like to have never gotten the thing out.
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Author: lllebret
Date: 2005-05-12 14:12
As explained above tuning rings fill the gap caused by pulling out the barrel and will help with the intonation problems caused by the gap of pulling out farther than 1/2 mm or so. Without the rings inserted pulling will flatten the throat tones much more than the rest of the scale as there is a localized enlargement of the bore caused by the gap. This extra flattening of the throat tones is easily seen when playing with a tunerand is eliminated by using the rings You should be able to get a set of plastic tuning rings for about $4 or so- metal ones cost more. Different barrels can affect intonation ( and also the tone) more because the internal taper can be different as well as the overall legnth, but , of course, cost considerably more than the rings do. Everone should have tuning rings for those hot days when alll your barrels are too short.
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