 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brikk
Date: 2005-02-05 02:08
i just started playing e flat clarinet, its about 44 years old, not in the best shape etc. On the lower notes i am very sharp, on the high notes i am flat if i pull out the barrel to correct sharpness, but on the upper notes i am in tune. How can i fix this?
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Author: BassClarinetGirl
Date: 2005-02-05 05:21
Embrochure. You will have to adjust it between the registers. You may also want to take your clarinet to a tech and have it looked at, pads checked, etc., to make sure there isn't any problems that would be causeing it to play out of tune.
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Author: starlight
Date: 2005-02-06 12:56
this may be a bit off topic...
i was asked to double on the eb clarinet in band (i play solo bflat clarinet normallY), and it just happens for a three month period that all songs had eb clarinet parts. just recently the band director gave out a piece that had no eb part, so i was given the solo clarinet part. Weird things started happening, it seems like i forgot how to play the bflat clarinet. i had major problems with tonguing, and my tone is just terrible compared to before *airy
i was taught to change my embochure for eb clarinet, because it's shorter in length and therefore you need to use higher pressure or something. just something i'd like to share, and would appreciate any comments
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Author: Brikk
Date: 2005-02-06 16:56
Yes starlight, i had a similar problem after playing E flat playing my B flat felt different, it only took a second to adjust but i did notice it wasnt perfect. Also as i said the clarinet was old and some of the pads are not in good shape and also my school is cheap and i am using a soprano saxophone reed to play e flat. Another problem i have discovered is that my pinkies are too big to play c sharp and the alternate c, i wind up catching two keys at once. Is this a common problem?
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Author: starlight
Date: 2005-02-07 07:56
hi brikk
it's not a problem for me with regards to playing alternate C - i guess my fingers are small enough
i play on a selmer bundy (the plastic one) and use eb reeds (vandroen strength 3)
Post Edited (2005-02-07 11:32)
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Author: Eileen
Date: 2005-02-07 19:21
I played Eb almost exclusively for 7 years and then switched back to Bb. The positive side of this is that I have no fear of heights on the Bb and can play with ease in the upper register. Struggling with the notorious Eb intonation also vastly improved my intonation skills on the Bb. The down side was the adjustment in embouchure and fingering. I had to really work at learning to relax my embouchure. My technique on the Bb has suffered from a long stint on Eb. My fingers just do not always want to go the greater distance.
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Author: Ken Mills
Date: 2005-02-17 22:55
Dear Brikk; Just listen to Ravel's Bolero. A dark sound there by the best players of that solo. A popular classical work among nonmusicians. I once had one so I know something, no problems. But you might annoy anybody you choose if you play a whole-tone scale ascending for three octaves, Ken Mills
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-02-18 10:48
Hi,
I sit next to a guy that plays Eb and then when there are no Eb part, plays the 1st clarinet part. He has been doing this for a long time and seems to have little trouble. I, on the other hand, played the Eb in another band on one Christmas number and then Bb on everything else. The results were mixed.
I have a very good but very old Penzel Mueller Eb and when I play it, the finger position is the biggest problem. The number that I played on had an Eb part that went to 6 sharps and laid right over the bridge for about 16 measures. Nine times out of ten, I could play it perfectly but the fingers were the problem. As Eileen said, one can have no intonation fears if you practice and listen. The psychmotor and tactile problem are the ones to watch out for, however.
I am used to doubles and on the gig I have tonight will play tenor, flute, soprano sax, and clarinet. These are all rather large instruments in comparison to the eefer. IMHO, the fingers are what you need to be careful of as intonation can be adjusted, for the most part, with ears and embochure.
HRL (I'll never be an eefer soloist)
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Author: earlthomas
Date: 2005-02-19 01:50
What is the brand of the E-flat that you have that you report is 44 years old? My old Penzel-Mueller is proably much older, and is 'way" better than a 1940's new Buffet which had the lowest "open" G you ever heard! IMHO, the proper choice in mouthpiece is crucial. Also, that instrument of yours may need a truly first-rate overhaul. I'd shop around for mouthpieces - trying the VanDoren 2RV, an old Ann Arbor Kaspar - whatever you can find. You may have to shop for another tuning barrel, also. On this website, there are craftsman who could help you with the barrel quest. When I was very active on the E-flat ( a long time ago), I just practiced long tones and slow scales and seriously hunted for the "perfect" reed. I did have success with the 2RV mouthpieces, 'tho.
Good luck - if you play it well, head will turn - hopefully in the right direction!
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-02-19 02:03
Earl,
I have had success with my PM Artist eefer using both a 2RV and a Selmer C** with the nod going to the Selmer. My instrument came with 2 PM barrels and the shorter works in most cases. I have not played the instrumnt much in the summer but suspect the longer barrel will come in handy.
The intonation is very good all across the instrument but as you well know, a good set of ears are extremely important. Ergonomically, I know I have an older instrument but its voice is pretty nice. BTW, I have had a complete overhaul on the little beast.
HRL
PS The stock PM MP was not too bad to begin with so I had a legup.
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Author: Brikk
Date: 2005-02-21 16:46
An update on my clarinet. After prcticing over the weekend, i was practicing a song, Tocatta For Band. In the middle of the song the sound stopped but my air did not. I then noticed 4 pads from my clarinet on the floor, and they looked diseased to say the least. Now its being "sent out" to be fixed which i will probably never see again. I think these pads could have caused the notes to be out of tune, and as far the brand most of the name is gone but i think the second part of the name was paris, it is a wooden clarinet.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-02-21 16:53
Quote:
In the middle of the song the sound stopped but my air did not. I then noticed 4 pads from my clarinet on the floor, and they looked diseased to say the least. ![[whoa]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie10.gif)
Wow. Glad you found that NOW.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Brikk
Date: 2005-02-22 04:17
Im glad also, except that i fear i will not see it for a while. Are there clarinet "Tune Ups", i dont trust my school at all and i would rather fix it myself and buy the thing, it has a better chance in my hands. How much would it cost to replace the pads and just do a overall fixer upper on it?
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