 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2006-11-10 17:57
Specifically, the clarity and projection of the altissimo range. Reason I ask is because on my personal clarinet, Leblanc Opus, altissimo G and above sound very strangled and it's dificult to get it to project (sounds more like an accidental squeak that's about the correct pitch than an actual musical note). However on the Buffet R13 (same mouthpiece, lig, etc.) those notes pop out very easily, clear, and in tune.
I'm just wondering if it could be something that a different barrel might fix. Other than that small problem, I love my opus. Much better in-tune, very easy to play, very comfortable, but whenever I have a piece that needs those high altissimos, I'm struggling so much. Thank you.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: DressedToKill
Date: 2006-11-10 17:58
One word, baby:
Backun.
I, too, play a Leblanc Opus, and from C# up, it's a whole different horn since I started playing Backun barrels.
Can't hurt to give a few a try!
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-11-10 18:22
Yes, a barrel CAN and DOES alter the altissimo...as well as the other registers.
The overall effect depends on factors that are built into the individual barrel.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2006-11-10 19:55
Is this a recent occurence, or something that's been going on for a while? Based on where you are in the world, and the fun, dry weather there, it might benefit you to get a delrin barrel as it'll be less subject to problems caused by that climate. I think Allan has mentioned they are more difficult to make though...
Christopher Nichols, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Clarinet
University of Delaware
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-11-10 20:09
Delrin is easy to distort.
Having experimented with hard rubber, I much prefer its stability.
JMO.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Avie
Date: 2006-11-10 21:47
I didnt notice any differance to speak of in the altisimo or the other registers as far as tone quality when I tryed 3 differant barrels. It could be the clarinet, the setup, or the weather if you are playing in differant climates. I dont know if the altisimo register is really tough and can be mastered by only a few. The pro's sound great up there and play there quite often. Artie Shaw could make C7 sing and Ive read that he was one of the only ones that could do it at the time. I think the altisimo is an exciting range to play in when mastered. How do they do it? Please dont say practice? I sincerely doubt its your Lablanc Opus. Practicing on your Opus for as much as your R13 in the altisimo? (Maybe it is practice!) I still cant get the Altisimo to my liking but I am beginning to realize that in my situation its the player Its good to see you posting again Alexi. Good luck with the 1st Calvary Div. Band, ect...........A
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-11-10 22:06
Avie,
just today I had a "show me yours and I'll show you mine" altissimo with my teacher. My G6 was, er, interesting as well, and he mentioned "reed, mouthpiece, embouchure, experience" as the possible culprits (under the premise the clarinet was fit for these notes).
As it's only some fifteen months since the first time I held a clarinet in my hands I just give myself some more time. (I do say "practice" now just to annoy you)
--
Ben
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2006-11-11 04:39
crnichols,
This is something that I noticed back in Texas and also in Virginia. The R13s that were given to me seemed to speak more in the altissimo registers much more than my opus. All with the same setup/climates. So I'm tending to think it might be something with the opus. When I return to the states and get my opus in my hands again, I think I'll experiment with some barrels. Another thing that doesn't help is that the opus tenon is larger than the R13 tenon so I wasn't able to try the R13 barrel on it to see if THAT barrel could have been a factor.
Good news is though that I don't see myself switching clarinets. Ever again (hehehe . . . hope I'm not speaking too early on that one!). It really has outplayed every other clarinet I've tried with the exception of one, but the difference was very nominal. So I'll be able to justify to myself trying a different barrel on it as it's one of the final (hehehe . . . hopefully not to early on THAT one either!) things I'd do to my setup.
Alexi
PS - I do have yet to try it with a GREAT reed. I've been using slightly soft reeds but will need to try it all out with the correct reed size for my mouthpiece. But I won't be able to do that until I get my opus back in about a year.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: awm34
Date: 2006-11-11 13:35
How do Backun barrels play on other instruments, e.g. my Selmer 10g?
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Author: nickma
Date: 2006-11-11 16:00
Go to Ralph Morgan or Walt Grabner for a 10G barrel: Ralph knows the 10G intimitely, Walt plays one and can fine tune on his instrument. Ralph's 10G barrel is extraordinarily good. Not only does it beef up the altimissimo, it also brings it down a few cents: useful for a design that plays endemically a bit sharp at the top. Walt's sweetens the tone up nicely.
Nick
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Author: nickma
Date: 2006-11-11 16:20
I should hgave also said, i've not had a Backun that plays accurately on a 10G.
Nick
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Author: awm34
Date: 2006-11-11 21:43
Nick, many thanks for the tip(s). BTW, you share a favorite name with one of my sons.
Alan
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