The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mommaq
Date: 1999-04-15 14:53
The barrel on my daughter's clarinet is too short and she needs to always have it pulled out to achieve the correct pitch.
We have used Marc's suggestion of putting an O-RING on the lip of the lower section to hold the barrel out, but this looks terrible and the problem does not go away. In other words, looks like we need a longer barrel. BUT...how long? How does one measure for the length of the new barrel? AND, she has a Noblet 45...are barrels different bore? What do you folks suggest for her to look into for best sound for her instrument?
AND....where to get it? The local stores don't carry barrels..you have to order them and there's the hassle of returning them if it isn't right.
GOT ANY SUGGESTIONS....on length measurement, type to buy, and where to buy?
Thanks in advance......
mommaq
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Author: George
Date: 1999-04-15 15:59
Barrels are measured overall, in mm., and are available in a range of lengths and designs. Unfortunately, the design and the length interact, so you cannot be sure that a (say) 66 mm length will be right for all barrels.
I would suggest getting a set of tuning rings which are made for the purpose. These are made of flat stock (not like o-rings) with the correct outside and inside diameters to fit the bore. Selmer markets a set of 4 in (if I remember right) 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2 mm thicknesses. If some combination of these does the job, then you can guess as to the length of barrel needed. Or just keep uning the rings.
When you test the intonation, make sure you check a range of pitches. Tuning rings (or barrels) will have the most effect on the notes played high on the instrument. Unfortunately, the standard tuning notes are low on the instrument, so just correcting these could be the wrong thing to do.
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 1999-04-15 16:00
As I understand it, clarinets are designed so that you must pull out the barrel slightly to get it in tune. If it was designed to be in tune with everything pushed in all the way and you found out you were flat with respect to whomever you were playing with, you wouldn't be able to adjust.
If you are saying that she must pull out so far that the barrel is about to fall off, then maybe you need a longer barrel. If it is pulled out just slightly but wants to slide back together when she plays it, perhaps it just needs new cork.
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Author: paul wusow
Date: 1999-04-15 18:11
Mark---
Where can we purchase a set of tuning rings? I actually do not own a set, but I would like a set. (When my corks are freshly greased, my barrel slides all the in...) Rings would help prevent this from happening. Thanks!
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Author: Mark Charette, Webmaster
Date: 1999-04-15 19:24
Any of the major mail order outlets will have a set for the major manufacturers. Check the Resources -> Retail page for mail order houses.
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