 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DrH2O
Date: 2008-03-27 16:59
I'm buying a new barrel for my 1959 Evette & Schaeffer master model. I have both a 65 and a 66 mm Buffet Moennig on trial.
With the 66, low F and G are flat (10 cents), then everything is in tune until I go flat again (about 10 +/- 5 cents) starting at clarion D up to lower altissmo F above the staff (can't play any higher than that). If I work with a tuner I can get the lower altissimo notes in tune with some effort.
With the 65, low F, G and A are flat (10 cents), then everthing is in tune until I start go sharp (~ 10 cents) at open G and throat A, then it's back in tune for long B and C, flat for D-A (5-10 cents), then pretty much in tune through altissimo F.
Room was at about 68 degrees, with the clarinet and barrels up to playing temp. Clarinet was recently overhauled and instrument tuning problems were addressed at that time.
So how do I choose? More in tune now, sharp in the summer when its warmer, but I can pull out? More in tune in the middle of the range and hope that as I improve the altissimo will sort itself out?
I've been playing for a little over a year, and use a VD M30 with Rue 56 3.5's. I take lessons, but don't have a lesson for another 2 weeks and need to decide before then.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts,
Anne
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-03-27 18:01
Hi Anne, it is very common to be a little flat on your low F, and maybe G, most clarinets are. The G may be flat if the first pad key, the F, below it is not opening enough. As far as your high D-F being a little flat is probably caused by your lack of embouchure and breath support. Your reed may be a little soft or your support needs to be strengthened. I would go with the 66. In the summer when it’s warm you clarinet will be a bit sharper. You might want to try a few 66s because no two barrels play the same. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-03-27 18:59
Shorter barrels won't help sharpen flat low notes as the effect isn't felt the further you descend down the length of the clarinet, though they will affect the throat notes and upper top register more.
An easy visual demonstration to this effect is with a guitar or any fretted stringed instrument (not bowed strings as they don't have frets, or fretless basses).
If you move the bridge nearer the fingerboard to shorten the length of string, you'll make the notes going higher up the fingerboard go sharp in relation to those at the far end (near the nut) which won't be affected all that much. So the scale has gone out as you've shortened the string length, but the frets are still in the same place. You'll also find the natural 8ve harmonic (lightly touching the string at the 12th fret and plucking it) is flat in comparison to the stopped note at the 12th fret.
Similar to the relation between the length of barrel and the toneholes on a clarinet as the toneholes stay in the same position no matter what length of barrel you use (long or short) so the scale gets put out.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-03-28 15:34
i think Ed is correct. The internal shape of the barrel has a great effect on its detailed pitch performance. I had the luxury of trying out a couple dozen barrels with the help of John Weir at ClarinetFest last summer, and found that material and internal variability had a huge effect --at least as much as the nominal overall length.
Before my 2-dozen barrel experiment, I had never found a trial barrel that was distinguishable from my stock Buffet barrels.
Bob Phillips
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Author: William
Date: 2008-03-28 16:32
DB wrote: "You will get a better tone with a longer barrel. The reason is when you pull out a barrel there is a gap in the bore"
Not to question your insight, but Tom Ridenour (clarinet design wiz) told me that the gaps left by pulling the barrel or middle joints has no accoustical effect on the clarinet other than pitch. This was in 1992 when I was selecting my Concerto clarinets at Leblanc in Kenosah where he worked.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-03-28 16:43
Ok, that's his insight ......
I'd counter that with Tony Gigliotti who felt that it did make a difference.
But for a younger student who isn't going professional I would also suggest that they get the shorter barrel so that they wouldn't have to worry about playing flat if they are playing with a group who is running sharp.
There isn't something much worse sounding that a Flat Clarinetist 
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2008-03-28 18:12
I would also stand behind going with the longet barrel you can get away with. Most people around here play on the sharp side o 440, so i use a 66 barrel with most of my mouthpeices. However, if the group actually played at 440, i could get away with using a 67 barrel. The longer the barrel, really makes more depth in the sound, especially if you use a vandoren mouthpiece.
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Author: DrH2O
Date: 2008-04-01 12:49
Thanks for your help.
I decided to go with the 66 as a better long-term choice. My old barrel is a 65 so if I have trouble playing flat next winter, I can always pull that one out. We're playing a weekly series of concerts outside this summer, so I think the 66 should be fine in that setting.
Anne
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