 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-07-26 18:25
Strangely, I've only recently tried to understand why my R-13 is flat on these three tones just at the top of the staff. They are consistently flat with a variety of mpcs. (some more than others, of course) and, although less so, are still flat with a stiff new reed. Using the RH trill key sharpens them up too much. This is not a special problen on my Series 9 Selmer or any of the other blackwood laying around. Even my Buffet A is more in tune here than the Bb. Help!
Bill
Washington, DC
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Author: William
Date: 2000-07-26 20:24
Sharp to what?? Try pulling the middle joint to lower the right-hand notes. Then, tune your 2nd line open G. If that is flat, try a shorter barrel to raise the pitch of the entire horn (your A barrel may do the trick). By the way, the A barrel is the shorter of the two barrels. Good luck. Let us know what happens.
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Author: William
Date: 2000-07-26 20:27
OOPS!!!! I meant to say, Flat to what. Now my advice should make more sense. Good luck.
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-07-26 20:50
Dear mister president--In regards to your flat notes on a clarinet--I was led to believe that you played the saxaphone. So maybe this is your problem. i know that you are trying to straighten out the mess in washington, d.c. but using a clarinet rather then a saxaphone is not the answer.
Smile.
bob
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-07-26 21:24
This is great! Very funny. I heard a good joke about Mr. Prez and Hillary but it reqires a "hand symbol" for the telling. The joke is on us, however, when Bush becomes president. That's when laughter will combine with tears.
My a-b-c upper clarion is flat (1) as it sounds to me, and (2) according to my tuner. It's quite noticable.
Bill "X"
16th & Pennsylvania Aves.,
Washington, DC
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Author: ken
Date: 2000-07-28 00:19
Bill, thought you could use a more useful suggestion. This might sound bizarre but stranger things have happened. I had sudden pitch problems with those particular notes once with my mechanically perfect 2-year old R-13. First, focus your attention on the upper joint and visibly check the pads to make sure they're seeding properly, not peeling or discolored and aren't leaking...especially the upper cluster/teardrop keys/pads and "side C" pad. Take the upper joint ONLY, cover all the tone holes and connecting hole at the bottom with a finger from your right hand and the top hole with your mouth. Create suction/seal and pressure, sucking up. If there's a leak you'll hear it/feel it coming out of a bad pad. Next troubleshoot is unscrewing/removing your register key and check the hole for dust/lint/built-up crud...there's a remote possibility that could be your pitch culprit right there and a quick fix, especially if it's just those notes, although the clarion A, Bb, B natural and high C would play flat as well. If that's it, try blowing it clean, if that doesn't do the trick get a sewing needle at least 3/4" long and carefully insert it, rotate it around the edges and through the middle to clean it out. You could also dip it in rubbing alcohol to help dissolve anything lodged inside. Also check your thumb hole too, it might contain foreign matter as well.
Another thought, older horns (if you have one and believe in a horn getting "blown-out" over time and use) inherantly
begin going flat in those partials first, usually because that's where the lions-share of condensation/warp-age occurs. Example: Larry Combs does believe in clarinets
blowing-out, becoming dull and lackluster and swaps-out a new horn at least every five years. Of course, it's easy for him because he doesn't have to pay for them...hehe. Another consideration beyond equipment is you could be developing a slight problem with "air stream" and an adjustment or a return to long tones in your practice routine is in order. However, if your an experienced player and established strong fundamentals early on, that's certainly not the case and it really is equipment.
The absolute best! <:-)
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-07-31 21:10
Ken,
Thnx. for the suggestions! This is a pretty new R-13. I will check out the pads and the reg. key area. I just have to laugh when I think the R-13 is touted as such an intonational improvement for players. I have a 1961 Selmer that is so much more in tune in the upper clarion. Thnx. again! --Bill.
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