 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Maarten
Date: 2003-05-19 14:24
Hello,
I saw Synonymous Botch say in the thread below ("Centered tone advice") that you need a large bore mouthpiece on a large bore instrument (I have a pair of Centered Tones as well) in order to play in tune. As I always play sharp this caught my attention.
Is this true and do you expect to play sharper if the mouthpiece has a smaller bore? I would also like to know if anyone could recommend mouthpieces for these clarinets if this is the case.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-05-20 00:02
I, too, always had the problem of playhing too sharp on my Selmer CT as a college freshman, even though I also used a Selmer HS** mpc. We finally decided thqt the CTs were built "sharp" and I switched to a Selmer Series 9* which still had a shapr problem in the upper register. That was solved with the use of a Chicago Kaspar #14, which I purchased from my clarinet professor for $12.00 (I actually bought two). Evenually, I switched to a Buffet R13, but continued using the Kaspar. Later, as a senior, I (and most of my clarinet major peers) switched to Ithica Bay mpcs which gave us more flesability than the Kaspars.
I think that the demension that most affects pitch is the length of the chamber and its taper at the base of the window. My Kaspar is much more tapered than the Selmer which seemed to have an effect on the pitch of the upper register notes, bring them down for more tuning ease. My vintage Bay also has a narrow taper like the Kaspar. This info is NOT based on scientific endevor or study, but just some "by gosh and by golly" old country reckoning--and accoustical results.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-05-20 01:07
One customer got me to machine a very thin-walled plastic sleeve to reduce her favourite mouthpiece's bore to correct intonation for her new clarinet.
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Author: Maarten
Date: 2003-05-21 11:54
Thanks,
it seems I will have to live with a sharp clarinet. I really like my CTs (and I don't have the money to buy new clarinets), so I think I will try a few different mouthpieces to see how much it helps me.
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-05-21 16:46
When I switched from a K10M to a Pete Fountain (which has a slightly larger bore than the K10M) on my Selmer Series 9 (which is similar in bore size to your CTs), I noticed I had an easier time tuning. I also played a B45• on it for a while, and that also made tuning easier.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-05-21 21:25
Another thought, Gregory Smith makes mouthpieces tuned to both A=440 and 442--perhapes he could help. Info for contacting him is in the Sponsers area of this website. His products are a bit pricey, but (as a satisfied customer) worth every penny and certainly cheaper than a new clarinet.
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