 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chicagoclar
Date: 2005-03-23 02:46
I've decided to upgrade my barrel, but now I have a new question. I see that there are barrels for Bb and A clarinets, but I have also seen people who use the same mouthpiece and barrel for both clarinets. Is there a distinct difference between the two types of barrels?
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Author: hartt
Date: 2005-03-23 03:34
the tapers are different.
And yes, your eyes have not deceived you. Players do use the same mp/bbl from Bb to A. Usually, it's a Bb bbl being used.
It's easier, quicker and 'safer' to use one bbl.
If you 'quick' change just the mp, invariably, you will move the lig/reed and have to reset it (time permitting) once the mp is swapped over.
You may want to first find a good Bb bbl...one that you're happy with relative to intonation(esp throat tones), resistance level, focused sound, etc. Then, try it on your A. If it passes your 'happy with relative to' test, then simply play and enjoy.
Oh and btw.....when trying various bbls, be sure to rotate ea one. One position may produce a louder open 'G' than other positions. Use the logo as a clock reference, turing at 90 degree increments.
toot toot
regards
dennis
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Author: donald
Date: 2005-03-23 04:56
kia ora
for many years i used the same barrel on B flat and A, as both a student and pro player in NZ and USA. Last year, with a change of ligature, i found it possible to swap mouthpiece without as high a risk of messing up the reed placement.... and so started using different barrels for Bflat and A for professional playing.
i found that my tuning improved- partly because i wouldn't have to try to return the barrel to "the right amount of gap" each time i swapped instruments, and partly because a barrel expertly designed for an A clarinet improves the intonation (suprise suprise).
in fact- just last week i experimented, using my favourite Bflat barrel on my A clarinet. The tone was great, many regions of intonation were fine, but in a few crucial places the intonation was worse.
i'd heartily reccomend using two separate barrels, but using one for both instruments won't be a disaster IF you can find one that works ok on both instruments.
donald
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-03-23 13:49
"be sure to rotate ea one. " Yes, when you do this it makes onlookers think you know what your'e doing......
Bob Draznik
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Author: Ed
Date: 2005-03-23 14:34
I have always used different barrels for A and Bb. The bores and sometimes the tapers are different. This affects tuning and response. I have never played one barrel that works as well on both instruments as a barrel designed for the particular instrument.
As to the slipping issue, I have not found that to be a problem as long as I have the cork well greased. BTW- the cork grease that is available from the Doctor's Products is superb. The synthetic one is super slick. I don't think you will have any problem with that one, although either one he sells is great.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-03-23 16:54
The bores ARE different, BUT.....if one is warmed up and the other cold, it is not uncommon that the warmed up one will sound better on both horns.
I know of one "big leaguer" who uses one barrel for both A and Bb, a ringless design, used on his Buffets. There are undoubtedly others who do this.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: luckyclarinettoenla
Date: 2005-03-23 17:28
Is it me, or is there also a length difference? I know that I play on a 66mm b-flat barrel and a 67mm A barrel. If I do play my b-flat barrel on A, it is indeed sharper, as playing the A barrel on my b-flat makes it flatter. I prefer to use 2 complete setups. I usually do an extensive warm-up before a concert or rehearsal, put on a mouthpiece cap and then when it's time to switch, make the switch. If I've warmed up the horn properly (make sure you swab before you put it on the stand that way you don't have condesation in crucial keys like the c#/g#), it tends to be pretty much ready to go, and if not, my ear catches it immediately and I adjust.
Just a little food for thought.
Lucky
Never fool yourself into believing that today's 'good enough' will do tomorrow!
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Author: susieray
Date: 2005-03-24 02:52
I have been using the same barrel on both, a stock Buffet 66mm Bb barrel...since I only play the A for a short time out of the entire rehearsal, I prefer to use the same nicely warmed-up Bb barrel on both....it works fine for me, even though my A is an old 1911 Buffet while the Bb is a 1959 R13. In both cases I have to pull the barrel out a little once the horn is warmed up.
However I have just acquired a beautiful Concerto A, which I plan to actually use one of these days (I am breaking it in gradually right now)
and I won't be using the Buffet barrel on that one ![[happy]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley12.gif)
Sue
Post Edited (2005-03-24 02:53)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-03-24 04:10
From an article by David Hite:
The measurements of the Moennig barrel bore should be: .589" at the top, tapering down to .580" at the bottom for the Bb clarinet. The A clarinet was found to improve greatly in tone, response and tuning balance when it was bored .004" smaller than the Bb. Ideally, therefore, it is necessary to use a different barrel for each clarinet.
...GBK
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-03-24 12:20
Keep in mind that the **original** Moennig is 1mm longer than the stock and he would shorten the bell joint by 1mm to compensate.
Stock Moennigs measure more taper than my 1962 original moennig barrel and there is no mention made of the bell socket adjustment when you get them.
Also, his taper was done in three stages, not just a single taper. (See old post on Klar. pages by Alvin Swiney)
Oddly, the Buffet **stock** barrels for the A clar. measure wider than the Bb.
Apropros to this discussion, a warmed up barrel can measure 0.003" different in bore and 0.1mm in length than a cold one. (my own measurements with a Mitotoyo digimatic bore guage, good to 0.0001")
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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