 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-07-18 17:06
I have a Buffet Bb Clarinet which I presume is tuned to 442 since the serial number begins with "F" indicating that it is an instrument for the European market. Is there a "conversion" available to bring the instrument more in line with US standards? I suspect that this is a rather complex issue, but I don't really know. Does anyone have any experience with adjustable tuning barrels?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-07-19 01:16
In my limited experience "right here in river city", you should be right at home at 442 most everywhere now. Don
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Author: Eoin McAuley
Date: 2000-07-19 07:34
As far as I know, the only difference between the models made for A=440 and A=442 is the length of the barrel. I think that Buffet make two different lengths of barrel. You shouldn't need an adjustable barrel, just one that is the right length. The difference in pitch is only 8 cents, that is, 8% of a semitone. Many people have problems playing in pitch this accurately any way, so you may not notice a huge difference.
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Author: ken
Date: 2000-07-19 20:19
You're probably playing on the standard barrel that came with the horn which is a 66M. Warm up good, sit down with a tuner, push the barrel all the way in, play a concert Bb (middle c) and see where the horn is to begin with. If it's at A442 keep pulling out until you get down to A440. Then put the tuner in "note mode", and check pitch from the bottom of the horn, low E, ascending chromatically one half-step at a time all the way up to a high G above high C (practical playing range). Determine if the horn is in tune with itself with the barrel pulled out that far. If pitch is livable you're good to go and don't really need to spring for a new barrel. Pay close attention to throat tones, that's where it could get nasty the most. If pitch is more than a 10 cents flat/sharp consider buying a 67M barrel, a stock Buffet 67M sholdn't run more than $35-50. If you look into purchasing adjustable barrels be discriminating, many on the market are poor quality, brighten your tone and basically just gimmicks. You might also experiment pulling the mouthpiece out a little, with the barrel joint and even the middle joint as well and see where pitch lays. Also, if you try pulling out at the bell joint it will only effect the pitches low E and break b natural, so that won't be that helpful. <:-)
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Author: Pam
Date: 2000-07-22 08:27
I agree with Ken. I play a European Buffet and use a 67mm buffet barrel with it. It works fine.
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