 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-08-29 23:04
Is there any inherent difference between an A Clarinet barrel and a Bb clarinet barrel? Assuming that you wanted a 67mm barrel, would it matter what clarinet it was for?
Also, how much benefit would you expect to gain from going to a custom barrel from a regular R-13 barrel? Would this be more or less benefit compared to spending the same extra dollars on a better mouthpiece? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2000-08-30 15:33
There can be some internal differences in Bb and A barrels. When I was trying custom barrels from Clark Fobes, he reworked an A barrel to make it into a Bb. I didn't do a before and after trial so I can't tell you what difference it made.
However I bought the barrel and to me it makes a significant difference on my 1996 R-13 as compared to the barrel that came with it. I also tried it on a Festival and I thought it improved that instrument, too.
On the other hand, it doesn't seem to make any difference on my son's 1983 R-13. We bought that instrument used (from a pro) and I don't know if the barrel it came with had been worked on or not (it is a Buffet barrel).
Of course, the mouthpiece is probably the single most important piece of equipment and besides the player can make the biggest difference in all aspects of playing. Once you have found a mouthpiece you really like it is time to try some barrels and see if there is any improvement.
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Author: Mario
Date: 2000-08-30 21:40
Theoretically, all clarinets should have custom barrels to maximize performance. It is why barrels working on one often do not work as well on the other. The purists on this board will undoubtedly claim that Bb and A have different barrels. It is really an issue of using different instruments (not instruments in different keys).
Put two Bb besides each other and test your barrels, you will get the same differences as testings barrels on a Bb and on an A.
I have 4 barrels. I know which one works best on my Bb and on my A. So, when I have the time, I switch barrel when I switch instruments (which is most of the time). When I have to switch instruments quickly (say, in the middle of the Bruck's trio), I settle down to a compromise barrel (a choice mucht better than a reed getting misalligned during a mouthpiece switch).
By the way, the A tends to have a little more resistence than the Bb (longer tube, similar bore). This explains why it is often perceived as darker. Ideally, you should also use a different mouthpiece/reed/ligature combination for the A.
The bottom line: Use a perfect set-up for each instrument most of the time. Compromise when you must switch in a hurry.
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