 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: nickma
Date: 2004-07-09 22:56
Having just acquired a nice Selmer 9 as a second stringer, I'm struck by the divergence of views of forum members on this instrument.
A given clarinet that plays in tune for some, appears commonly to be (deeply) problematic for others.
Some put tuning and intonation down to the instrument itself, and whether it's design or manufacture is intrinsically 'good' or 'bad'.
Others put it down to a mis-match of mouthpiece, and/ or the barrel used.
On my part part, I can now play my Eaton International in almost perfect tune across all the registers, something that seemed unlikely when I first acquired it. Tonally it seems purer now that at first too, but perhaps I've just improved...I didn't consciously adapt to it, but I guess that's what's happened.
Down to what do we put these wildly differing viewpoints on tuning and intonation? And who's right? Or is it a question of adaption?
Nick
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-07-10 00:07
I'll borrow a few lines from David Hattner, whose thoughts on tuning are better than anyone else that I've read:
"...Clarinets don't play in tune, great musicians who play the clarinet play in tune.
Anyone who thinks there is any such thing as "set it and forget it" in terms of clarinet equipment and playing in tune have no idea what it means to play in tune.
No one "plays in tune" just like that. Anyone who is in tune all the time is working hard at it every second he or she is playing.
If you aren't concentrating on intonation DURING EVERY NOTE YOU PLAY, I'll bet big money you play out of tune a lot of the time. Probably way way out of tune..."
Spend less time looking for the magic bullet - whether it be mouthpiece, barrel or clarinet - and more time using the equipment you already have - your ears ...GBK
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-07-10 00:11
Tuning is a funny subject. The problem ultimately stems from the variation in Western tuning systems. When trying to determine whether a clarinet is "in tune", it is usually compared to equal temperament. However, in practice, depending on the context, the same exact note played the same exact way can be wildly sharp or flat at different parts of the piece in question.
Depending on the variety and key-concentration (as well as the ensemble played with) of music played, different players may have different views of the exact same instrument's intonation, but the effect of this is probably minor compared to other factors. There are, of course, some instruments which are much better in tune than others.
Coupled with variations in the manufacturing process, wood quality, barrels, mouthpieces, bells, instrument maintenance, playing environment, and technique, it becomes very difficult to establish a gold standard of "in tune." Better equipment tends to minimize the discrepancies.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Avie
Date: 2004-07-11 03:02
That seems to be true to me GBK. When I take one or two measures of a piece and play it over several times carefully playing it as musically as possible and in tune it starts to sound great. But I cant do that through the whole piece especially during a fast passage. It seems that the clearer i can hear the note in my mind before i play it the better it sounds when i do. Is this a good way to develope your ear? It seems that my clarinet will play a well as i play it. Its pretty amazing!
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Author: jim S.
Date: 2004-07-11 03:46
There is apparently a great deal of difference in the design of the bore of the series 9 vs. the 9*. This could contribute to the apparent divergence of views if there is confusion concerning which is being discussed.
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