 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SVSorna05
Date: 2004-03-25 01:01
Hey guys really in a crunch here
currently in our Wind Ensembe we're playing An American Elegy by Frank Ticheli for one of our Texass contest pieces, if you've ever played this piece u know that tuning is crucial and right now its not workin for me. Im currently playing on a Buffet 65 mm Moennig barrell, and am consistantly sharp in that upper register. I can bring down the high C for the most part but the B below that and the F# on the top of the staff is extremely sharp, if i pull out nemore on the barrell it will make my lower register flat and thats not desireable, any type of technique to lower the pitch would be extremley helpful thanx guys.
-Dain
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Author: ken
Date: 2004-03-25 02:33
Not much wiggle room on the clarion F sharp and B natural in the first place. The characteristics of these notes using standard fingerings are generally sharp with limited choices on venting tone holes. And, assuming you're playing a serviceable Buffet to go along with the barrel I'm curious why (in band setting) you're using a 65 and not a 66 unless the ensemble or clarinet section consistently tune and ride high??
On the high B natural try:
TR |X00|XXX This fingering tends to be sharp but resonant at all dynamic levels. It's overall stable for lipping down but can produce an undertone. I'ts useful bringing down pitch particularly for soft, exposed passages.
The middle F sharp is "one of those notes". Try this one:
TR |OOO|OXO (LP--left pinky on left E/B cluster key, or right pinky C/F key, or BOTH). The left pinky combo will flatten pitch up to a nickel while the right pinky combo can drop it another 2 to 3 cents (on my horns). After that, bending notes might be the preferred method, however in combination with alternate fingerings, and never alone. v/r Ken
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-03-25 03:43
Hi,
If the F# at the top of the staff (F#5) is high, just pull the middle section a little bit. The preferred tuning method is usually the open G (pull barrel to adjust), the G5 (pull middle section to adjust). Check the F# then. Everything will be a compromise at best.
Remember that temperature plays a huge part in pitch; I posted last year that the actual amount of pitch change per 5 degrees C and it is quite a bit. If you are above or below standard temperature (I guessing about 72 degree F), things get touchy.
I have an assortment of 65mm, 66mm, 67mm, and 68mm Moenning, Scott, and Chadish barrels. In a warm room during the winter, I start with the 66mm and usually get to the 67mm pretty quickly. In the summer outdoors, the 68mm is often used.
HRL
PS It's all about physics and acoustics.
Post Edited (2004-03-26 10:54)
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Author: Wes
Date: 2004-03-25 05:27
Hi!
I've been using a Moennig 67 mm barrell with an old M3 Lurie mouthpiece on a 117,000 Buffet R13 and find the tuning very acceptable. The Moennig barrell tends to lower the upper left hand notes, C and B, as the regular Buffet barrel makes them a little sharp. Even the very top F# and F, which tend to be flat, can be brought up to pitch with a firm embouchure. It never seems necessary for me to pull out at the center as I generally play in clement weather with people in the 440 ballpark.
Are you pulling out the bottom of the barrell and not the top? Pulling out at the top of the barrell will produce greater lowering of the throat tones.
The notes E2 and F2 in the upper part of the low register are often flatish on Buffets and can be raised by careful and expert undercutting of these holes without raising the upper register.
A general checkup of the instrument by a good repairman may be in order. Or you could have it checked by a clarinet tuner. Good luck!
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