 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chicagoclar
Date: 2005-04-05 05:54
When I play my clarinet I have to pull out a bit for intonation issues. I was thinking about buying tuning rings. What are the benefits of these rings and should I go ahead and get them?
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Author: luckyclarinettoenla
Date: 2005-04-05 13:21
Chicagoclar,
The quick answer to your question is that tuning rings create more space within the column in your clarinet; usually by 1 mm. The longer the tube, the lower the notes. Tuning rings do help some with intonation, but I ask you this question. How long is your current barrel? If it is a stock Buffet barrel, I'll bet it's 65mm long, which in my experience is 1 mm short of what is needed. You may want to look into investing in a new barrel that is 66mm long if this is the case. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this! Have a great day!
Lucky
Never fool yourself into believing that today's 'good enough' will do tomorrow!
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Author: William
Date: 2005-04-05 14:16
They add stability if your joint corks are a bit worn, but Tom Ridenour--LeBlancs former cheif accoustical expert--told me that improved tuning is not a factor. He said that the space left by pulling any joint does not alter the accousical configuration of the clarinets sound or intonation, other than creating additional length to the resonation colume--length of the clarinet. The space--in and of itself--does not affect tone qulaity or intonation.
If you think you need rings for stability, getting a longer barrel is better than dealing with potentially lost or stuck rings.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-04-05 14:35
Bernard Portnoy says you should always use a tuning ring when you pull out. Contrary to Tom Ridenour's advice, it's been my experience that the extra volume in the bore created by the open slot between the top of the tenon and the bottom of the barrel definitely affects tuning and tone. Portnoy could tell the difference every time with his back turned.
If you pull out only a small amount - 1 or 2 mm., the effect is small. However, for about a year I played a Leblanc Eb that had to be pulled out so the cork showed at both the top and the bottom of the barrel. It wouldn't play at all without tuning rings I made from gatrden hose washers, but with them it worked perfectly.
There is often a slot at the middle joint, even when the tenon is pushed all the way in. Some have found that it helps response (and stabilizes the joint) to put a thin ring of cork on the end of the tenon and sand it down to create a gapless fit.
Tuning rings are cheap, and worth trying. Get the rubber or fiber ones. The metal ones are too small in outside diameter and fall out when you take the instrument apart.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2005-04-05 14:35
Stock Buffet barrels are 66mm for Bb clarinets, aren't they?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-04-05 15:39
Ralph G wrote:
> Stock Buffet barrels are 66mm for Bb clarinets, aren't they?
It depends. For example:
The barrels issued with the R13 Bb (and R13 Prestige Bb) clarinets are 66mm.
The barrels issued with the E11 Bb (and the E11 A) are 64.5mm.
The barrels issued with the B12 Bb clarinet and B10 Bb clarinet are both 65mm...GBK
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Author: donald
Date: 2005-04-06 10:30
i remember Mr Ridenours advice re tuning rings (ie they don't affect intonation) only being in reference to using rings at the middle joint.... but this is a distant memory from some years ago...
donald
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-02-08 15:58
I'd like to experiment with making tuning rings, but have a basic questions since I've never seen them: do they fit inside the socket of the tenons so as to fill the gap inside the bore (rather than filing the outside gap)? Would a soft rubber O ring do the job? They come in a variety of diameters and thicknesses, and are flexible enough that they shouldn't get stuck.
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2012-02-08 16:11
I had a Robert clarinet which had a slip-joint barrel, a thin extension of metal tube concentric with the bore. Tuning rings can help with mechanical stability of the barrel on the upper section. Portnoy must have had extremely sensitive hearing. He told me he not only tried many of the Buffet factory clarinets, but also many combinations of barrels and bells with them as well. All done in a few days!
richard smith
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-02-08 19:15
Oops, I probably should have asked my questions on a new thread instead of reviving this one. I'll give it a little more time first.
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2012-02-08 21:21
Tuning rings are useful if you can be certain you'll never use a given barrel fully pushed in - but this depends on temperature. For example, a Buffet Bb will generally play in tune with a 66mm barrel when warm, but if you pick up a cold instrument of that length you'll probably be so flat you can't lip up to pitch. So when you face regular changes of that sort (in orchestral playing), it makes sense to use more like a 65mm barrel, which you expect to ease out as you warm up. For this reason, I believe Peter Eaton clarinets are intended to play in tune when warm with the barrel pulled out slightly. So in short I'd hesitate to use tuning rings as sometimes pushing a short barrel all the way in is a flexibility you need to have in reserve.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2012-02-08 21:47
All B&H professional clarinets, certainly in the days of Manton-Myatt (up to nid 1950s) and I believe even after that time, were tuned in the factory with the barrels pulled out 1mm.
As noted above it makes sense particularly when making quick changes from a warm Bb to a cold A etc.
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2012-02-09 03:15
Tuning rings are useful if you must pull out more than 1 mm. Pulling out more than that can cause the throat tones to dip non proportionally to the rest of the range of the clarinet. But 1 mm or less, as a practical matter, doesn't make enough difference.
If you are pulling out 2 mm or more, you should probably buy another barrel.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
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Author: salzo
Date: 2012-02-10 13:53
I find tuning rings very helpful with certain set ups, particularly when used between the upper and lower joints. This is especially true when the right e hand tones with the octave key are sharp or bright.
The rings are often too thick, in which case I bring the width down by rubbing on a rough sharpening stone or sandpaper.
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