 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clash
Date: 2011-04-24 03:20
Hello, I played Eb clarinet for about 6 months.
It is school owned, Buffet R-13.
The mouthpiece and barrel are ones that came with the instrument
and it plays lots of notes out of tune.
For example, if I tune to low notes, high notes get out of tune, vice versa.
I think the barrel, 42mm, is causing the problem the most.
(I think I need a longer one)
However, since I am not going to major in music,
I would play this for just one more year for my band.
So, can you give me any suggestion for this?
I need info for affordable long barrel/mouthpiece (with prices)
or tips for making the barrel longer.(saw someone's post about making it 6mm longer with garden hose rings?!?)
Also any other Eb playing tips, such as suggested fingerings just for Eb clarinet might be good too! thanks!
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Author: Ed
Date: 2011-04-24 03:33
Peter Hadcock's book is a great resource with lots of fingerings. http://www.vcisinc.com/clarinetmusicexcerpts.htm#C036
I like Clark Fobes mouthpieces and barrels. For a lower cost option, the Hite mouthpieces are very good. Robert Scott makes a delrin barrel that plays well.
In what way is the instrument out of tune? I always find that on Eb it is important to have lots of air and embouchure support and use a reed that is resistant enough to support the upper register without collapsing. Spend lots of time with a tuner and get a feel for the instrument. Perhaps have a tech check it out and try to find someone who plays Eb well and can help you fine if it is you or the instrument.
I believe that the standard Eb barrel for the Buffet is 41-42 mm.
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Author: clash
Date: 2011-04-24 03:54
I use a neckstrap and my embouchure and air support is fine according to the lesson teacher who is a fine Eb player.
the instrument always plays little bit sharp even on easy notes, so I have to pull out a lot...Ed wrote:
> Peter Hadcock's book is a great resource with lots of
> fingerings.
> http://www.vcisinc.com/clarinetmusicexcerpts.htm#C036
>
> I like Clark Fobes mouthpieces and barrels. For a lower cost
> option, the Hite mouthpieces are very good. Robert Scott makes
> a delrin barrel that plays well.
>
> In what way is the instrument out of tune? I always find that
> on Eb it is important to have lots of air and embouchure
> support and use a reed that is resistant enough to support the
> upper register without collapsing. Spend lots of time with a
> tuner and get a feel for the instrument. Perhaps have a tech
> check it out and try to find someone who plays Eb well and can
> help you fine if it is you or the instrument.
>
> I believe that the standard Eb barrel for the Buffet is 41-42
> mm.
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2011-04-24 09:29
Just my opinion and advice, take as you wish. You say that you're not going to be majoring in music and are only going to play for about another year. Why spend a bunch of money on a barrel/mouthpiece if you're probably never going to use it again. Also, a new barrel may help, but Eflat is the instrument that you must play by ear. My biggest suggestion to any one who wants to or is currently playing Eflat clarinet is (if you dont know this already) to practice like you normally do, but I mean always, always, always have a tuner on your stand or somewhere where you can see it every time you practice. Now, it may be different when you play in a group because since you're normally always doubling with flutes and picc, you may have to play on the sharper side anyways. If you're only playing a little bit sharp, you dont need to pull out that much since like i said you may have to play sharp in the upper register to be in tune with flutes. This is only my suggestion and opinion, and it's certainly up to you whether you take my advice or not, but personally, it wouldnt make sense to spend $100+ on a barrel for just a year of playing, especially if it's not extremely out of tune.
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Author: clash
Date: 2011-04-24 13:01
well, I can play almost all notes in tune with fingering adjustments or embouchure "drop", except for open-register C and B. Those notes are almost quarter step sharp, and I don't have any idea to drop them.
I'm pretty sure I'm not the one causing the problem, because I can hit altissimo D to even high C in tune. it's just those two notes.
any ideas, fingering suggestions?
Post Edited (2011-04-24 13:05)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-04-24 14:10
Remember that pulling out at the barrel affects "short tube" notes more than others. When you pull out enough to bring the C and B in tune, is the rest of the instrument manageable? Also experiment with pulling out at the top of the barrel (at the mouthpiece end).
Check how far the register key is opening. On Bb, you should just be able to slide a nickel between it and the vent. On Eb, the angle should be the same. Experiment with a piece of cardboard slipped under the bottom end to keep the key from opening too far.
You can certainly put down your left ring finger for the C. If the B is too flat with the ring finger down, also open the C#/G# key, the Eb/Bb side key or both.
If the low register F and E are also sharp, you can put a bit of black plastic electrical tape inside the left index finger hole. If the tape throws the low F and E too far flat, a tweaker can make the hole made smaller and undercut it at the bottom, which can affect one register without hurting the other.
Allen Segal may be able to make a barrel with an altered bore that will take care of the problem. http://www.clarinetconcepts.com/
Ken Shaw
Post Edited (2011-04-24 14:11)
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Author: clash
Date: 2011-04-24 18:26
thanks for the tip Ken, I will try those fingerings if garden hose rings don't fix the problems for me!
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2011-04-24 23:47
Clash,
You can play the clarion notes from G-C without the register key to bring their pitch down.
Bob Barnhart
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Author: clash
Date: 2011-04-25 00:37
Well I know that, but voicing would be hard on fast passage....
Bob Barnhart wrote:
> Clash,
>
> You can play the clarion notes from G-C without the register
> key to bring their pitch down.
>
> Bob Barnhart
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2011-04-27 11:55
I've had a lot of success with a Mark Jacobi barrel insert. Perhaps he can make you a barrel from scratch, or your school might be willing to pay for this, as it is technically a repair.
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Author: asabene
Date: 2011-04-29 03:23
The Eb clarinet is always going to be out of tune. No barrel or mouthpiece can fix that. You just need to learn get around its faults. Play around with new fingerings, especially in the altissimo. You'd be better off with a decent mouthpiece that is not the stock buffet one than a new barrel. I've never played on a stock buffet mouthpiece on an Eb, but I'm sure it doesn't make things any easier. Might I suggest also clipping the butt off of a Bb reed to use as a reed. I find they tune a little better than the Eb reeds Vandoren sells. It's most noticeable in the altissimo where some notes are not nearly as flat.
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2011-05-11 17:29
I must be lucky in that my Eb clarinet is generally good when it comes to intonation. It's a Bundy that's quite old (3,xxx).
----------
Rachel
Clarinet Stash:
Bb/A: Buffet R13
Eb: Bundy
Bass: Royal Global Max
Post Edited (2012-10-30 00:42)
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