 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-08-21 21:13
Hi All,
I recently obtained a pair of B and H 1010s which I absolutely love.
As some of you will have read, I have been trying to sort out my altissimo range which I am now starting to feel very happy with.
I purchased an electronic tuner to help with the above endeavour.
I have played both clarinets throughout the range chalumeau E to altissimo C and measured them against the tuner.
The A when I am playing unaccompanied is within 5 % throughout. When I am playing accompanied by the piano ,the mean is about 2% and I am no further out on any note than about 4 %. I do not need to half hole or adjust my embouchure at all to achieve this. My husband has measured me doing this so I am not consciously adjusting anything directly in response to the tuner.
The Bb is less consistent but there is one note that is way out. If I play chalumeau D or C sharp it is about 25% out if I make no adjustments. It is the same for clarion A or G sharp. These notes can also sound rather stuffy. I can get it bang on in tune but I have to half hole all the way down the tone holes. It also seems to be intolerant of a high level of air support. Around the break strangely enough is spot on. All other notes are within 10% or less without adjustments. If I play with the piano I can get nearly all notes less than 5%. The piano was tuned recently and is within 2% across the whole range.
Both instruments have a beautiful rich tone and apart from the one area of concern on the Bb clarinet they take a lot of air support and provide me with the just right amount of resistance for my playing style.
I don't want to become a slave to the tuner or sound like an electronic piano but I think there might be an issue with one particular tone hole?
Can anyone offer me some advice?
Many thanks in anticipation.
Kind regards
Paula
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-08-21 21:23
If it's those two toneholes that are affected (the LH3 and the C#/G# toneholes), maybe they can be filled in to bring the pitch down.
Is it just the C#/G# which is stuffy?
Is the C#/G# tonehole bushed (you'll see it in the bore if you look up the middle tenon)?
The problem with the C#/G# tonehole is it's already too small and placed higher up the joint due to the tenon being in the way - it should be a much larger diameter tonehole in between the LH3 tonehole and the C tonehole on the lower joint (the ring key pad). So it's in a compromise position and by nature it is stuffy (especially the C#) compared to the other notes around it that are fully vented. On full Boehms it goes right through both the tenon and socket.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2012-08-21 21:31)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-08-22 10:04
This could also be a result of insufficient venting of the pad. Possibly a too-thick bumper cork or bent key.
Tony F.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2012-08-22 20:40
If those notes are already sharp but tending to stuffy then filling the toneholes will make them even more stuffy.
If pad heights are OK then I think a visit to a really competent tech is the realistic approach.
On most clarinets this region of the bore (approx half way) is one that normally gives least problems.
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-08-22 21:24
Thank you for all your replies !
I have looked at the bore and it seems fine.
I think there might be an issue with the bridge and Acton vent corking. The A clarinet is very smooth and synchronised but the Bb doesn't seem to be as slick. I did transport it a a few weeks back and somehow the long pin on the lower joint keys came loose. I screwed it back into place but I suspect the pad heights might be compromised? I am not experienced in the technical sense as I have been out of playing clarinet seriously for a long time and in the past have always taken my instruments to a 'man/woman who can'. They were very recently overhauled prior to purchase by a competent tech but I guess a random incident can create an impact on function and tuning. If the A hadn't been so in tune I would suspect my playing. I have never had an electronic tuner before but generally have a strong sense of pitch and my husband has perfect pitch so he notices these things.
I will take it to a competent tech as you suggest Norman. I suspect it might be fairly minor and correctable. I am rather ashamed that I am not more knowledgeable and have booked myself on to a maintenance course. Hopefully that will help me identify problems and even if I cannot solve them I may get an idea of what needs to be done to correct them.
Many thanks again to everyone who has replied ;-)
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