 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: FDF
Date: 2006-07-30 20:27
I recently purchased a Selmer C* mouthpiece and a Rovner light ligature for my 1955 Selmer CT. After getting the mouthpiece home, I noticed it sounded sharp. Today, I played an outdoor concert in hot and humid conditions. While tuning up I was about a ½ step sharp and needed to pull the barrel out about 4mm. The original barrel on my Selmer is 67mm. After looking on line for barrels and reading this thread http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=205048&t=205041, I don’t know what to do.
I am pleased with the quality of sound I’m getting with the new mpc and ligature. As I see it my choices are: get yet another new mouthpiece, find an appropriate barrel, or try a tuning ring. Your observations and recommendations will be appreciated.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Vytas
Date: 2006-07-30 23:12
FDF,
I would strongly suggest to use a vintage Selmer Oval HS* or HS** mouthpiece with your CT. I had some tuning problems with my Selmer Centered Tone "Omega" until I switched to one of these oval mouthpieces.
More than 90 degrees temperature can easily rise the pitch up 20-25 cents.
If temperature reaches over 100 degrees with low humidity wooden clarinet might become unplayable.
If your clarinet acts OK in the 70 degrees temperature-you're fine.
Vytas Krass
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2006-07-31 00:17
Hi,
Here is a post I made a couple of years ago that outlines the pitch/temperature relationship and cites an excellent text for your review.
"I went to the libray and got Accoustic Foundations of Music by John Backus, W.W.Norton, 1977 and on page 156 found the following information. "A rise in temperature will flatten the strings. On winds and brass, however, the increased speed of sound at higher temperatures produces a considerable increase in pitch. It amounts to 3.0 cents for each degree Celcius (1.6 cents for each degree Fahrenheit)."
So, it looks like a 10 degree increase in C will raise the pitch 30 cents. I could not find the mention of standard temperature but my recollection is about 72 degrees F. I assume the manufacturers use something like this as a benchmark
Interesting book. Fascinating physics."
HRL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: FDF
Date: 2006-07-31 00:28
Vytas,
Thank you for your recommendation. I will try to find a vintage Selmer Oval HS* or HS** mouthpiece. Who knows, I might even have one in the basement in a box of old musical items. The mouthpiece I recently replaced was a vintage Woodwind C7, and I had no problem with playing in pitch. However, my ligature was bent and one thing led to another and I ended up buying a new mouthpiece and ligature. I do like the sound of the new mpc. Finding a vintage Selmer Oval HS* or HS** won’t be easy. I’ll be patient. I appreciate your considerate response.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: FDF
Date: 2006-07-31 00:43
Mr. Lehrer,
The temperature was 85 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 13*1.6=20.8 cents. I expect that the humidity would factor in some way. I will try tuning again under standard temperature. Maybe my problem is not as drastic as I thought. Thanks very much for your scientific insight.
Post Edited (2006-07-31 00:54)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Vytas
Date: 2006-07-31 01:53
FDF,
Woodwind C7 is a large bore mouthpiece (vintage original series) and it's a very good match with Selmer CT.
Vytas Krass
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: FDF
Date: 2006-07-31 21:07
Vytas wrote:
> FDF,
>
> Woodwind C7 is a large bore mouthpiece (vintage original
> series) and it's a very good match with Selmer CT.
>
> Vytas Krass
>
Vytas,
I gave the Woodwind C7 another try today. There is no question that it plays in pitch on the Selmer CT and sounds better with the new ligature. Unfortunately, I sound better playing the new Selmer C*. Also, I tested the new mpc with an inside temp. of 79 and low humidity, it played sharp, but not as much. I had to adjust the barrel 2mm.
I appreciate your comments, they have given me food for thought.
FDF
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-08-01 01:39
Try splitting the 2-mm length extension between the barrel and the center joint. That is the set-up preferred by my teacher. If he's ever flat, he can push in.
Bob Phillips
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-08-01 06:29
I have one mouthpiece Vandoren of the 13 series which plays very flat that I can't use it. In a cold weather with A=440 it is very flat. Maybe worth it to try one of those.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-08-01 13:27
Several of my old O'Brien glasses [refaced] are large bore, having no "step" when mated to the orig. barrels for my CT. Seem fine to me. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
