 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Vrat
Date: 2003-09-18 12:41
My altissimo E6 is flat. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Vrat.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-18 13:04
Too much unknown information ...
Do you have the right pinky Eb/Ab key depressed?
Are the right hand rings set high enough?
Is the C4 in pitch?
How is the overall tuning of the clarinet?
Are you using a reed with enough resistance to permit your high notes to play in pitch?
Make of clarinet (French?, American?, Taiwanese?, Indian?)
many other questions ... GBK
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Author: William
Date: 2003-09-18 14:43
I had the same problem with my R13 Bb many years ago, and the problem was diagnosed by "Mac" McGibbon (legendary Milwaukee repairman, instrument builder and accoustician) as shrinkage of the upper portion of my upper joint. He reemed it out with a quite scarry appearing hand auger, and the flat E6 regained its correct pitch. This diagnosis was later confirmed by Tom Ridenour (then chief accoustican and clarinet designer for LeBlanc) , who did a similar check on my two year-old Concerto Bb & A clarinets to see if their upper joint bores had shrunk as a result of the ongoing natural wood curing process characteristic of new clarinets. Mine were fine and the E6s tuning was (and, after ten yrs, still is) "right on".
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Author: Vrat
Date: 2003-09-18 15:41
Thank you for responding.
Yes, I do hold the pinky Eb/Ab key, but it doesn't seem to make any difference.
Good point on the right hand rings; I'll check them out tonight.
Yes, both my C4 and G5 are in tune.
I'd say overall tuning of my clarinet is otherwise good.
You think I should try tougher reeds?
My clarinet is Yamaha AE custom.
Regards,
Vrat.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-18 15:47
If after going through some of the checklist I provided above and the problem is only confined to the one note, there are a few alternate E6 fingerings (best used for sustained notes) which will raise the pitch.
Let me know if you need some additional alternate fingering choices...GBK
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Author: Vrat
Date: 2003-09-18 16:20
Yes, I'd appreciate alternate fingering.
BTW, my F6 and F#6 played basic fingering is flat, too; so I use RT123C#|123 for F6, and RT12-123G# for F#; that is ok.
Now when I think about this, that seems to mean the problem is not with low right hand rings...
Thanks again, Vrat.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-18 17:17
The basic/textbook F6 tends to be flat on Buffet R-13's and Yamahas. The pitch can be raised by adding the RH sliver/banana key.
The basic/textbook F#6 is notoriously flat on most clarinets and can be somewhat corrected by using the right pinky F#/C# instead of the right pinky Eb/Ab. Also, by adding the RH sliver/banana key the F#6 can be further raised.
Similarly, the E6 can be raised by adding (you guessed it) the RH sliver/banana key.
Here are 3 additional fingerings for E6 which will raise the pitch:
(no thumb, no register key) throat A key + right side key #3
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(thumb/register key) throat A key 2 3 / 2 + rh sliver/banana key
or
(register key only/no thumb) 1 2 3 / rh sliver/banana key + right pinky Eb
Try all of the above and pick one or two to use for certain situations ...GBK
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Author: Vrat
Date: 2003-09-19 17:44
Thank you, I'll try it all.
I've noticed myself that using sliver/banana key (is it RH B/F# ?) helps, but I've found it kind of difficult. Now when you legitimized it for me, I'll try to practice it more...
Vrat.
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2003-09-19 20:28
How is the tuning of F4 and C6? Check for dirt it the tone hole for LH1.
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