 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: linnich49
Date: 2008-03-22 03:34
I have gotten back to playing in an orchestra again after over 30 years. I have been practicing for about eight months and everything is coming back to me. When I tune to the piano I am in pitch; however, after playing a while I tend to be constantly sharp. I am practicing at home with my tuner and still notice a lot of notes going sharp. I am playing on a wood Normandy model #1645 from the 1970's, which has been recently overhauled and in good condition. I recently purchased a new Vandoran 45 mouthpiece and am using 2 1/2 Michell Laurie reeds; sometimes a 3. I am getting frustrated; what am I doing wrong? I have adjusted the barrel by pulling out and am in pitch with middle "C", middle G and B flat. However, I still notice with the tuner when I play for a while that other notes are going toward sharp; way sharp.
How can I improve? Do I need to purchase a shorter barrel? Could it be the clarinet? My embrochure? I am really enjoying playing again and want to do a better job.
Any helpful hints would be appreciated.
linnich49
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-03-22 04:40
Try new reeds. For example vandoren reeds. Try different strengths take a look on the vandoren website for there reed recomendation chart. it will tell you what strength of reed they recomend. A shorter barrel will make you even sharper. A longer one, on the other hand, will make you flater. There are reverse taper barrels and barrels made from other woods. there are many differnet things to try and get confused and frustrated over. try one thing at a time until you find what works for you.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-03-22 05:38
After you start playing the clarinet will become gradually sharper so you might need to open some of the connections a little after you played a while. This is normal. Depending on what notes and by how much they are sharper than others it can be normal or not, and it can be because you only come back to play clarinet recently.
Other barrels (including very expensive and hyped ones) might or might not help. But yes, it could be the clarinet, the mouthpiece, you, etc. Do you have a teacher? It would be best if a good teacher can find out the specific reason for the problem then it would be much easier to fix it. But again, this is about some notes being too sharp, and not about the clarinet gradually becoming sharper when you play, which is normal.
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2008-03-22 13:02
As clarnibass mentions, the instrument naturally rises in pitch as you play it for awhile. One thing that may help a bit is to swab every 10 or 15 minutes. This will prevent condensation from decreasing the volume of the bore. That will only help a little bit though. You might seek a longer barrel if this happens consistently. Also, you can try pulling out a bit at the middle joint. The other possibility is as you get tired from playing for a while, you might be pinching the reed which raises the pitch. If this is the case, think "ooo" in regard to the lips. A good teacher would probably be able to help you isolate the problem a little better, but these things are a start.
Christopher Nichols, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Clarinet
University of Delaware
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2008-03-22 13:48
Professionals who specialize in mouthpieces may have a solution for you. I had similar problems until Merlin Williams recognized that my mouthpiece was the culprit. After switching mouthpieces I no longer needed my longer barrel. Anyone need a 67 mm barrel?
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Author: linnich49
Date: 2008-03-22 14:18
I have started taking lessons recently for help. I recently bought the Vandoren mouthpiece - I will switch back to the Hite mouthpiece to see if this is the reason. My teacher has assured me that this is normal, but usually when I pull out the barrel, it adjusts. I would hate to think it is the mouthpiece, since I paid quite a bit for it.
I was wondering if a new clarinet would solve the issue?
Thanks.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-03-22 15:24
Hi, it’s my guess that it’s the clarinet but it could be any of the other things mentioned. I seriously doubt if it’s the reed. Could be the mouthpiece but most likely a longer barrel will help. You will have to try several brands to see what plays best on your clarinet and they can be much more expensive then the mouthpiece you just purchased. The Normandy clarinet is not known to be a well in tune instrument so it’s my guess that is the major problem. Since you’re taking lessons have your teacher play it warmed up and see if they have the same intonation problems that you have and if they can solve it by voicing differently or using their barrel or mouthpiece than you will know for sure if it’s you, the barrel, the mouthpiece or as I suspect, the clarinet. Even a new professional clarinet can have this problem, that’s why we try many of them out before buying one.
ESP, www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
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Author: Keith P
Date: 2008-03-22 19:06
linnich49,
You are flat on your open G and your Bb and get sharper as you get higher? If you are playing on a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece, my guess is that you are biting and voicing to high when you get into the upper register. this is because the B45 is more open and the pitch is more flexible and manipulated more easily with the embouchure. Work to not bite on the upper and be sure to maintain a good hold in your throat tones so they don't sag. You should get a feel in how to adjust to your mouthpiece.
I hope this helps =).
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2008-03-23 19:27
Just to check: you are tuning up with a warm instrument, right? If so, it could just be your out-of-practice embouchure 'warming up'.
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Author: job_man
Date: 2008-03-23 20:10
Hello linnich49
A 1970's wooden clarinet, you say? I remember talking to the chief designer at Boosey & Hawkes here in London, and he remarked that he thought about 14 years to be the reasonable life of a clarinet. Even allowing for the fact that you have not been playing it, yours is still more than twice that age. I would certainly start with the clarinet: why not try a new instrument on approval for a week or so, and see if you have similar problems (but if you try a Buffet, for heaven's sake don't use their supplied Buffet mouthpiece! Try a Yamaha 4C or similar).
And the best of luck.....
Best wishes
job_man
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2008-03-24 13:29
After being away for 30 years I just want to commend you for having an ear for tuning and starting off in such a healthy way with your playing. I agree with the above comments about embouchure, etc. It might be helpful to get a longer barrel and see how that helps. You might also go up a step in reed strength to see if that helps. Otherwise, just keep tuning and you'll learn to "pitch" the notes as you play.
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