 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Michael Kincaid
Date: 2000-05-06 19:56
I was less confused before I bought a tuner. I play a Bb Selmer Signature and it has two barrels--one is labeled 625 and the other 645. I have been using the 625 and I checked it with the tuner and the throat tones are sharp (+20 to +30.) The rest of the notes using the 625 show to be pretty much on the money.
If I switch to the slightly longer barrel I think I can "lip" the rest of the instrument back in tune and it makes the throat tones better. I could just pull the shorter barrel out a little or is this an appropriate use of the longer barrel? I don't mean to ask a stupid question, but I haven't had a music class since 1974.
Michael
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Author: bill
Date: 2000-05-06 22:03
I think that you should try both of the barrels. I'd probably go for the long one first, but if you choose the shorter one here's what i'd do. Pull it out until you see cork. If that is not enough, then pull out your mouthpiece a slight amount. if that still does not do it, then pull the upper and lower joints apart a small amount. If your horn is falling apart then i think you should definately use the longer barrel.
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Author: Michael Kincaid
Date: 2000-05-07 00:44
bill wrote:
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I think that you should try both of the barrels. I'd probably go for the long one first, but if you choose the shorter one here's what i'd do. Pull it out until you see cork. If that is not enough, then pull out your mouthpiece a slight amount. if that still does not do it, then pull the upper and lower joints apart a small amount. If your horn is falling apart then i think you should definately use the longer barrel.
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LOL. Thanks Bill, I think even I would notice if the instrument was getting a little wobbly. I have noticed that after I have been playing for 30 minutes or so, I'm alot sharper than I was at the beginning. Michael
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Author: William
Date: 2000-05-07 03:41
You should first tune your second-line open G. Pull the barrel if it is sharp--if flat, use the shorter barrel. (I use my A barrel on my Bb with my mouthpiece set all the way in to make it easier to switch from Bb to A in orchestral situations--I move both the barrel and the mouthpiece and adjust tuning differencies by pulling the barrel, not the mp) Then, check the G an octave higher. If sharp, pull the middle joint until corrected. Then check your middle-line B. If sharp, pull the bell a bit. Then, worry about the throat tones. Usually, these tones are sharp--here are your options. One--lip them down. Two--vent the A and Bb by adding left-hand fingers two and three with left little finger one the B/E key. (improved sound and better pitch. Three--lower the highth of the A/Ab keys. Four--put some electricians tape on the upper inside of the tone holes themselves. I just vent them and lip them down on my instruments. Good luck.
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Author: Kimberly Nisius
Date: 2000-05-07 13:30
I would guess that you should be on the longer barrel. This is for two reasons. One you didn't mention anything about buying a long mouthpiece special for your instrumentd and you also didn't mention anyting about the ensemble you are in playing sharp for tuning. Given this isn't the only reason to choose the shorter barrel, but this is the biggest factor to choose that first. Second, if you are able to "lip" or voice the instrument on the longer barrel into tune, this probably means that you are not truely playing the instrument itself with the best tone. Most players with a tight classical embouchure have problems bringing pitch up. This is why we are thankful when our instrument plays sharp and not flat. If it is flat there isn't much we can do except get a shorter barrel. If the instrument it shart we can do the tuing process that William mentioned. I would learn to play in tune with the longer barrel and see how this is working in about a month.
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Author: Michael Kincaid
Date: 2000-05-07 15:42
Kimberly Nisius wrote:
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I would guess that you should be on the longer barrel....[snip]...if you are able to "lip" or voice the instrument on the longer barrel into tune, this probably means that you are not truely playing the instrument itself with the best tone. Most players with a tight classical embouchure have problems bringing pitch up. This is why we are thankful when our instrument plays sharp and not flat. If it is flat there isn't much we can do except get a shorter barrel. If the instrument it shart we can do the tuing process that William mentioned. I would learn to play in tune with the longer barrel and see how this is working in about a month.
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I really appreciate all the comments--they have been helpful. Kimberly, I think you are correct about my tone. I probably still have not gotten my lip back completely--I still tire easily. I didn't know about "preferring a little sharp" but it makes sense. I think today I'll just try the technique that William suggested and practice with the longer barrel. Thanks. Michael
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Author: William
Date: 2000-05-07 16:26
Michael--My tuning suggestions will work only if the clarinet is sharp to begin with. I suggest using the shorter barrel, not the longer one.. I am a classical clarinetist using a "modified" embrouchure which is slightly looser than the conventional classic "grip." Therefore, my pitch tends to be slightly lower than normal. I like that because then I can "bend" the pitch both ways to tune to other "out of tune" players. Always listen--good intonation is an ensemble cooperative effort.
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