 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: beantown_Bb
Date: 2009-07-16 16:24
Can anyone tell me what's the worst case of E-11 sharpness they've seen and successfully had fixed? I am truly thinking I have a lemon of a horn, and I am trying to decide what I should do about it.
I'd like to add that in the summer (and a lot of the spring and fall) I use the barrell from my old Evette, which is MUCh longer than the stock E11 barrel. Even with this I have to pull out the barrell and middle like nobody's business, and I am STILL horrendously sharp - esp. in the summer.
Post Edited (2009-07-16 16:27)
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2009-07-16 16:43
In my experience the E11 will play pretty well in tune at A (more or less) 440Hz with a 67 mm barrel. The supplied barrel is 64.5mm -- don't ask me why. Make sure you have an honest mouthpiece, using proper breath support and not pinching.
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Author: beantown_Bb
Date: 2009-07-16 16:47
Do you know offhand how long the evette barrel I have been subbing in is? It is SUBSTANTIALLY longer than the E11's, and even then it's still awful.
Thanks
My MP is M13Lyre/88
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-07-16 16:49
64.5mm is pretty much standard for A=442 for most mainstream clarinets on the European market.
--
Ben
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-07-16 16:49
As Larry correctly stated, the standard issue 64.5 mm will usually pitch the E11 at 442 (or higher).
Switching my students to a 66 or 67 mm barrel brings the pitch down to about A=440.
If you are still quite sharp with a longer barrel, than you need to check the mouthpiece, reed strength, and (the worst case) the bore of the instrument.
...GBK
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2009-07-16 17:30
I no longer endorse this clarinet for students based on the faults of it's scale. I honestly have yet to find a mouthpiece or way to make this beast play in tune.
David Dow
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Author: BobD
Date: 2009-07-16 18:11
Exactly the reason why I got rid of mine not too long after acquiring it. Other than the tuning problem.....an excellent horn....duh.
Bob Draznik
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Author: beantown_Bb
Date: 2009-07-16 18:12
"Exactly the reason why I got rid of mine not too long after acquiring it. Other than the tuning problem.....an excellent horn....duh."
I think I am headed the same way. I like that quote: Other than intonation, it's great! Haha!
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Author: maestroman
Date: 2009-07-16 18:29
I have been playing on the E11 for the past 4 1/2 years. Yes, my horn is a little on the high side but, with slightly pulling out the barrel I have been able to play in tune. My instructor (I am currently a junior music education major) switched me to the vandoren M13 lyre mouthpiece. This has really helped focus my sound amd improved my intonation.
From what you describe it sounds like the horn might be defective however, I am thinking you are going to want to check your embouchure as well. Practice in front of a mirror. Check to make sure your chin is flat, corners of the mouth are pulled forward, and your soft pallete is raised. Also, get the tuner out and play long tones...yes, it will be a slow process but, whether or not its your horn your embouchre and ear will improve.
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2009-07-16 18:36
I also have an E11 which tunes pretty true. I wonder why just pulling the barrel on the horn wouldn't be a simple solution.
Leonard
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Author: beantown_Bb
Date: 2009-07-16 18:38
If you could only see how much I have to pull out, you'd fall over. It is a simple solution in most circumstances, but not in this one.
Thanks everyone. I am beginning to suspect I was right about having a lemon. : (
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Author: lrooff
Date: 2009-07-16 18:56
Perhaps you should get a shorter barrel and play it as a C clarinet?
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Author: bombus
Date: 2009-07-16 19:03
my e11 is also crazy sharp, i play on a b45 mouthpiece and stock barrel and i usually have to pull out a centimeter at the barrel and the middle each. can anyone recommend a good barrel that comes in longer lengths and is on the affordable side?
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Author: beantown_Bb
Date: 2009-07-16 20:16
LOL : )
In that case I got a used one to unload (along with a bridge in Brooklyn). ; )
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-07-17 10:22
Try using a Vandoren 13 series mouthpiece as these will also help to bring the overall pitch down.
Although the E11 now has a (considerably) shorter barrel, the rest of the instrument is as it has been (tonehole positioning and bore size) when they were supplied with the longer 66.5-67mm barrels.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: beantown_Bb
Date: 2009-07-17 12:26
I already use a 13 series mouthpiece, that's part of the reason I am starting to think it's hopeless. I have done all I know how to do, and it's still atrocious.
Thanks for all the ideas, everyone
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Author: BflatNH
Date: 2009-07-17 14:04
I know it won't help you, but out of curiosity, could the bore be too small or have some dimensional imperfection? If so, this could be useful to know as one more thing to check on E11s
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Author: jparrette
Date: 2009-07-18 14:28
The new Leblanc/Backun Bliss horns are amazing, and a great deal at that.
John Parrette
CLARION MUSICAL SERVICES
john@clarionmusical.com
914-805-3388
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-07-18 14:43
Methinks your best bet is to see your repair person / teacher / band buddy and ask everyone to test-play your instrument, with their mouthpieces. Hold a tuner so that they cannot see it and jot down the results for each note. If the instrument is consistenly sharp across players, then you may indeed have a lemon. In that case, write a letter to your Buffet rep and enclose the tuning charts, and ask for directions.
--
Ben
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2009-07-20 14:33
I find the B12 and E11 clarinets incredibly high in pitch...even with longer barrells etc. A barrell only helps some notes..not all.
David Dow
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