 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: gsurosey
Date: 2010-07-25 01:37
Hello
On 4 of the 5 single-reed instruments I play on (4 clarinets, 1 sax), I play sharp. I'm sharp on Bb, eefer, bass, and alto sax. On my A clarinet, I always start out flat and can generally get up to pitch with enough playing. Are there equipment changes that I can make that will help my intonation? Here's what I use (on clarinet; I play sax very little):
~ Bb/A: Buffet R13s (early 90s). Vandoren 5RV series 13 mpc (looking to switch, perhaps to M15 due to going through reeds like water), Moennig barrel 64mm, Vandoren 56 Rue Lepic #4 reeds, Optimum ligature.
~ Eefer: Older than dirt Bundy. Vandoren B40 mpc, some sort of custom-made barrel 40.5mm, Vandoren #3 reeds (looking to go thicker), Rovner Lite ligature.
~ Bass: Older than dirt Bundy (same old-style logo as eefer). Vandoren B45 mpc, Vandoren #3 reeds (I don't play bass much and I'm not sure whether to go thicker with reeds or not), currently some crappy stock ligature looking to get a Rovner Dark.
I've been told I must have an embouchere of steel to blow through reeds the way I do. I know that having a tight embouchere will bring pitch up, but there doesn't seem to be much I can do about that (who knows what's correctable after 20 years of playing). I find it easiest to adjust on alto sax (which is ironic since I only play it when orchestra parts call for it) by yanking out the mpc from the neck. Even on eefer I play noticeably sharp, though I'm sure the short barrel contributes to that (ever try to find a replacement barrel? Tough). I get to the point where I can't blow the pitch down anymore so I have to keep pulling things out. At least on the Bb/A I can pull out the middle; not so lucky w/ the eefer and bass. The Bundy's I have are real old but I'm way too poor to replace them (and I'm not a pro anyway), so I'm not sure there's much I can do there. However, being that the Buffets are relatively new I'm hanging onto them for dear life.
Ok, so long-winded background story short, what can I do to bring my pitch down to the neighborhood of A440? Thanks!
Rachel
----------
Rachel
Clarinet Stash:
Bb/A: Buffet R13
Eb: Bundy
Bass: Royal Global Max
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2010-07-25 02:15
Longer barrels on the Bb and Eefer might work. Maybe a 66mm? You can find some eb clarinet barrels on everyone's favorite auction site. Just search clarinet barrels and barrels for Bb/A and Eb will show up. I've seen quite a bit recently. I'm not quite sure about changing mouthpieces. I've only really played on closed ones.
Is the whole instrument sharp or just certain notes? (on all of the instruments)
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-07-25 09:51
64mm's may be a bit short for an A clarinet and maybe with a Bb as well.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: davetrow
Date: 2010-07-25 15:26
FWIW, when I visited Backun to choose a barrel and bell, they recommended a 66mm barrel for R13s.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: skygardener
Date: 2010-07-25 15:46
Using a 64mm barrel is the reason you are sharp in your Bb. You are in NY so I assume that you are tuning to A=440. 64mm might work if you play in a European setting (A=442+).
Your A clarinet is probably flat for acoustical reasons relating to the design of the clarinet itself. I assume that your lower register is flat, while your upper register (clarion) is better in-tune? Maybe even sharp?
I think the barrel for your Eb is also short and you should get a longer one, or get a tuning ring for the Eb to take up the space.
I believe that the necks on many alto and bass clarinets are made on the short side so that you can have leeway to adjust. Just get in the habit of pulling out.
For the Eb/Bb/A, if you can't find a good barrel at the right length or don't want to buy one, then get a set of tuning rings. They take up the space so that there is no large gap between the barrel and upper joint-also, they allow you to always have the same length.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: gsurosey
Date: 2010-07-25 17:34
I can't pull the neck out on the bass without it either squeaking or refusal to play on the part fo the instrument. But hey, a tuba player in orchestra GAVE it to me. So, I got a free old horn.
As for eefer barrels, I'm not sure what out there will fit my old Bundy. But I shall keep looking.
Rachel
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jacob S
Date: 2010-07-25 17:52
I had issues playing with too tight of an embouchure, combined with "biting" a bit too much on the mouthpiece. This meant that I couldn't play as long as most people, and I was consistently sharp. If you can't buy a replacement barrel, mouthpiece, or clarinet, I'd suggest practicing *only* fifteen minutes a day with a nice and relaxed embouchure. It doesn't even have to be fifteen minutes, just don't practice it for longer. Play long tones, slow scales, etc. until you feel more comfortable, and eventually you will be able to incorporate this "new" embouchure into your daily playing. It took me three months to feel comfortable loosening my embouchure while playing anything other than scales and long tones, but I believe it was worthwhile. Now I can bend the pitch much lower than before (which is very useful for jazz and contemporary pieces!) and my embouchure has better "flexibility" to adjust the pitch on the fly.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: pewd
Date: 2010-07-25 18:10
A 64 mm barrel is too short for 'most' folks on a Bb R13.
E11's have 64.5 mm barrels, and they are built to play at a-442.
66mm is standard on newer Bb R13's, older R13's sometimes came with 64mm (older being 35+ years ago). 1990 and newer R13's for the most part have 66mm on Bb's, and 65mm's on the A's.
An A R13 should be in tune, or slightly sharp, with a 64mm barrel, for most players.
I'd only work on fixing the issue one instrument at a time - start with the Bb R13.
1. longer barrel (try a standard Buffet R660 barrel)
2. practice with a double lip embouchure 20 minutes or so each day - that will cure you of any tendency to bite real quick...
hope that helps.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-07-25 18:42
I agree that a 64 barrel is most likely your problem on your Bb Buffet. I myself use 67s on my Bb and A Buffets, you should probably be using a 66 unless you're sharp enough for a 67. Most mail order stores will send you both on approval. You said you start out FLAT on your A clarinet so you probably don't want a longer barrel for that or you will start out even flatter. Just warm it up before you play. You could also have a ring placed in the middle joint of your Bb so that stays pulled out without having the "air" space between the joints and have the joints wobble. As far as you Eb and Bass, the'ye old Bundy's, what can I say. You may be able to get the neck re corked so you can pull it out more without it leaking, you would have to ask your tech if they can do that. I assume the body is one piece so you're stuck there. Try taking a little more mouthpiece in your mouth and see if that plays a little flatter, it may or may not work. You could buy a new barrel for the Eb, even try a longer Buffet or Backun barrel, it may work. Sax, I have no idea other than pulling the neck out as much as possible. Usually playing softer reeds allows you to play flatter but that too is no guarantee, and your tone may get very unfocused. Hope this helps. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: srattle
Date: 2010-07-25 20:34
Hi Rachel,
I have a suggestion for you that doesn't have anything to do with equipment, or very little.
If you say you are playing sharp most of the time, on 4 different instruments, and you run through reeds quicker than you would like (and you've already hinted at your own consideration of this) maybe you need to take a little time and learn to hear your playing lower.
I tend to play on the high side, but I am generally very in tune when I play with other people.
My suggestion is to spend some time every day, placing a tuner on a note (can change each day) and then playing in unison, a 3rd above (major or minor) a 4th and a 5th above.
Then just play, and listen. Not necessarily aiming to be in tune, and get used to hearing where you are, and then slowly, over a matter of days, trying to be in tune with it, and hearing/feeling what that's like. Eventually, you might start to play lower without even noticing it.
Hope that helps at all
Sacha
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
