 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: metalheadsimon
Date: 2010-06-30 14:42
I own a Buffet R13 and an A equivalent, which i was using a vandoran m30 mouthpiece to provide a good solid tone that i became adapted to. However my teacher reccomended i bought a ridenour hw model to adjust the tuning as i am constantly sharp. Due to this been tuned to a different frequency this should counteract the sharpness provided by buffet clarinets (due to where they are made)
when tested against my tuner, the new mouthpiece showed a deffinate improvement tuning wise, however when playing with pianos that are tuned regularly i appear to still have to pull my barrell bell and middle section of the clarinet to somewhat a similar position to when i used the m30......
any advice on what aspect of my playing could be affecting the tuning and what i can do about it? thank you very much
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-06-30 15:12
First of all, the R13 isn't generally sharp "because ofwhere it is made." If it is sharrp, there are other issues. What frequency are you tuning to: 440, 442 or what?
Is the clkarinet sharp overall, or is it mainly on certain, specific notes? How sharp is it?
How old is the clarinet? What is the serial number? this would allow us to get an estimate of its age. Has a competent technician looked over the instrument for problems?
Pulling out the bell (generally recommended only about a mm or so) doesn't have much effect on tuning overall. Pulling out the barrel (unless it is just plain too short) will adversely affect the throat tones more than other notes.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: William
Date: 2010-06-30 15:42
Jeff--great Opperman quote--no truer words....LOL
Overall clarinet pitch is more influenced by the barrel than the mouthpiece. If you are "constantly sharp" to where you want to be, than you need a longer barrel, simple as that. And just because a piano is "tuned regularily" doesn't necessarily mean it will always remain set at a perfect A=440 (which is usually standard tuning pitch). It is not uncommon to have to tune to the individual piano that you wish to play with--not all pianos will play the same, btw.
To tune your clarinet: 1) play G4. If flat, you need a shorter barrel or a higher pitched mpc. If sharp, pull your mouthpiece a bit until "in tune" (I always pull the mpc before the barrel--just "me"); 2) play G5. If sharp, pull middle joint until it can be easily lipped down to pitch; 3) play B4. If flat and you pulled the middle joint--push it back in until this note is in tune. There still may be a slight middle joint gap--thats ok. If sharp (unusual), pull your bell about the width of a nickel. This should correct that note and your clarinet should be relatively in tune "with itself" at A=440. From here, you may now pull the mouthpiece as your instrument warms up and becomes naturally sharper (this is common)--or if flat, push your mouthpiece in to raise the general pitch. Many clarinetists like to use a barrel that will tune their clarinets to A=440 when the instrument is completely warmed up and the mpc is fully inserted. But as I like to switch both my mouthpiece and barrel from Bb to A, I like to have a little gap in the mpc joint to be able to tune to the "cold" instrument I am switching to. FWIW--I play a set of vintage Buffet R13's whose middle and bell joints do not need to be pulled, ever. All of my tuning is done by pulling my mpc and I usually play with it pulled about the width of a nickel or more when fully warmed--symphony, band (if in tune, lol) or piano. But remember, beyond all of the pulling and trying different mpcies, etc, the best device for proper tuning is your own ear and your embouchure. Clarinets do not play "in tune" by themselves, they are PLAYED in tune by YOU. Good luck.
Post Edited (2010-06-30 16:14)
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-06-30 20:54
My suggestion is to go back to the mouthpiece you like best then get a longer barrel. You should probably try several different makes of barrels, there are many on the market and some will tune differently then others but you probably need 2 mm longer than you're using if you're pulling out a lot. There is nothing wrong with pulling out the middle joint, many of us do that when the lower half of the clarinet plays sharp. On my older Buffet Bb I had a ring built in so it remains constant. Clarinets are just not perfectly built in tune and we all have to make adjustments. Don't blame it on the MP so fast. We pull out, get longer or shorter or different make barrels, even bells, we put tape in some holes and undercut others. I think the M30 is a good mouthpiece for some players. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2010-06-30 23:36
My R13 ends up with gaps similar to those suggested by William.
about 2-mm at the barrel
about 2-mm at the center joint,
and 0 to 2-mm at the bell.
Using either an M30 or am M30/13 leaves the gaps about the same.
Bob Phillips
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Author: normancult
Date: 2010-07-01 00:58
I play with a pair of festivals.
When I use the M30 I also need a 2mm gap
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Author: metalheadsimon
Date: 2010-07-05 15:46
thanks to all of you for advice and the information you have given me, it is much appreciated and i have now resolved the problem
thanks again
simon
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