 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2005-10-19 18:51
hey guys im going nuts trying to get my clarinet to be in tune and i dont know what to do.
my set up is a 3 yr old selmer signature (brannenized)
5 RV lyer mouthpiece
vandoren v12 #3 ( i cannot play on anything stronger)
heres the problem
my concert Bb is almost perfect in tune
but going down the notes become sharp, and going up the notes become flat. ive tried using some alternate fingerings which help some, but not a lot and i cant use those all the time. ive also tried a tighter embouchure, which helps some but not a lot and it is very fatiguing.
when i adjust for one register, it throws off the other register. i dont know what to do. i play in a wind symphony so this really matters.
if there are any repairmen out there who might know what to do, or could take a look at it, please email me.
thanks, jan
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-10-19 19:09
I suggest asking John Butler and/or other of our pro repairers. I know little of the modern Selmers, beyond what a good PRO friend has told me, who plays both the Recital and Signature, but it sounds like a pad-rise , venting problem IMHO. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: William
Date: 2005-10-19 19:54
To make certain your clarinet is in tune with itself, do this:
1--use a tuner and check G4. If sharp (usual), pull barrel joint until ok. If flat, after instrument is warmed up, you need a shorter barrel.
2--check G5. If sharp (usual) pull middle joint until better. If flat, push barrel joint in a bit and lip resulting sharp throat tones down. Many of us have to compensate for sharp throat tones (Ab4, A4 & A#4) by lipping or venting by adding 0XX/000 to the traditional fingerings.
3--check your C5. If sharp, pull your bell joint. You may very well have to have all three tuning joints pulled a bit to insure that you clarinet is in tune with itself, and with A=440.
If this tuning proceedure fails to correct your tuning issues, then something accoustical is wrong with your clarinet and will need experianced, professional attention. As you mentioned that your instrument was "Brannanized", key adjustment and pad heights are probalbly not the problem. Your clarinets bore may need to be resized to original specs and this needs to be done by an accoustical specialist like Tom Ridenour, who worked on my clarinets when he was still working for Leblanc. Definately not your average music store repairperson.
But remember, there is no such thing as a clarinet that plays absolutely "in tune". It is always up to the clarinetist to play the clarinet in tune. Hope this helps get you in tune with your band.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-10-19 20:19
"Aren't Selmers generally sharper in the lower register?"
I don't have much experience with Selmers, but I know someone who plays the Signature and I've tried his clarinet, and it sounds good and in tune to me. The Signature is a great clarinet imo.
Also I agree with William, especially about the clarinet not playing absolutely in tune.
Here is a short and wise quote from Peter Eaton: "The suggestion from some makers that mouthpieces or clarinets have a fixed absolute pitch is unrealistic. A clarinet/mouthpiece/reed combination does not have a precise pitch until a player combines with them, and the pitch resulting from a particular set-up can vary by a surprisingly large degree, depending on who is playing it."
So, in your case it could be you or the instrument, it is hard to tell over the internet. Your best option is try to find a good player that plays in tune and that plays on a Selmer Signature. Let him/her try your clarinet.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2005-10-19 20:52
i do know that each note will note be "right on" and i do use alternate fingers and embouchure adjustments. but some of these notes are more than 20 cents sharp or flat.
william i am going to do what you said ... will you please return to this post to see my findings and maybe give further advice?
thank you everyone for your replies
jan
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-10-20 01:58
Jan,
William has the tuning sequence stated perfectly. Too many players just pull the barrel.
However, do not ignore the effect that temperature can have on pitch problems although this usually effects the entire tube. But you may become more aware of the problem as the heat gets turned on for colder days. Just a thought to factor into your quest.
Here is a thread that might shed some light on the temperature issue.
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=124476&t=124394
HRL
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2005-10-20 02:54
If you take lessons ask your teacher to have a look at it. If he/she can play it in tune without extra effort then the problem is elsewhere, i.e. the mouthpiece/reed combo or you. If you do not have access to a teacher, ask your fellow clarinetists in band. It is impossible to say without seeing you if the problem is related to your equipment or your embouchure.
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2005-10-20 07:30
A friend of mine who plays Signatures has a problem with her low E being sharp, and her long B (over the break) being flat... go figure?
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Author: claril
Date: 2005-10-20 08:30
It's harder to keep in tune in a wind symphony then say for exaple a small chamber group, and especially with piano. More sound makes it harder to hear, and also theres more chance of having to constantly play 3rds or 7th chords and extreme dynamcis such as 'pp'. I find 'pp' really hard to keep in tune when you have clarion register B,C,D.
Experince playing in other groups.
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