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Re: Intonation

Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-06-05 15:22

Our former 2nd clarinetist, Gordon Miller, 52 years in the BSO, used to say that intonation is a musician’s decease. Real good string players will play a sharp a bit higher then a flat, so C# will be slightly higher then a Db but not so much in orchestra playing. Besides, that’s real high quality players. What you’re experiencing is different. It’s either that the strings a very inconsistent and the winds are not or the winds are getting sharp as you get warmer and the string are not, then you pull out to compensate and suddenly your throat tones are flat because the proportions of you instrument are out of whack and you’re not experienced enough to handle it. It could also be all the above. If ALL the winds are having the same problem than it’s not you fault, if it’s more you, be careful about how much you pull out and try to adjust by embouchure and voicing after finding the optimum place to pull out your barrel and middle joint, if necessary. Check with the tuner after playing 15-20 minutes to make sure your clarinet is not at fault. None of us are perfect, and no clarinet is either. If it’s the string you will just have to learn to adjust on the fly. Good luck, ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457

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