 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ramsa
Date: 2012-08-22 14:44
Fine forum, and I'd enjoy some opinions on Bb replacement barrels. I see there are a slew of them on the open market, and wondering how important a replacement for a stock Buffet Festival might be? My teacher just got a few new custom barrels for his personal instrument, and let me try switching from my stock one. (He's not trying to push selling anything, just thought it would expand my experience with some different equipment.)
It seemed like the custom might have been slightly more easy to blow through, and I couldn't tell if the tone was better to the degree of an additional $100 or $150 expense... Do most serious players change from stock barrels to something else/custom? I wouldn't mind getting more info on improvements in my equipment, but other than woodshedding, would like to know if a new and different barrel is a reasonable addition for better tone. (Or placebo type thinking?)
It's got me wondering...
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Author: Joseph Brenner, Jr.
Date: 2012-08-22 16:09
Dear Ramsa,
If you're just beginning, why not focus first on learning about your instrument, about breathing and breath control, embouchure, tonguing, legato, coordinating your fingers with your tongue. For all you know, improvement in the sound you produce may depend chiefly on how you focus your breath and how you support the reed. There are several variables that contribute to the quality of your sound; I question whether you are well enough along in your study to be able to say that you have found a magic bullet. best wishes
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-08-22 16:29
Ramsa -
I agree with Joseph. Nearly all professional players replace their original barrels with something better, but if you can't tell much difference, it's not yet time to change what you have. You won't go wrong playing a Festival with its original barrel.
I'd say that once you have a decent mouthpiece (which you need from the beginning), you'll be fine until you've been playing 2-1/2 to 3 years.
Ken Shaw
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Author: ramsa
Date: 2012-08-22 16:31
Just finishing up my 3rd year of lessons, and I enjoy working on basics like long tones, scales, etc...
Alot of my concern is over quality of tone, as I'm in mid-fifties, and suffer "some" hearing loss. Magic bullets would be great, but I've never seen many of 'em...
I was just wondering if replacing barrels is very common, like replacement mouthpieces over stock ones... Did Goodman, Shaw, etc, back in the day use aftermarket equipment? I doubt it...
Probably more cost effective to experiment with reed strengths and makers.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-08-22 16:44
Both Goodman and Shaw would most likely have used the mouthpiece they liked instead of what was supplied with their clarinets, but they used the stock barrel (going by photos) and there are many fine players who still use the stock barrels and bells supplied with their clarinet.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2012-08-22 17:05
Ken Shaw wrote:
> ... Nearly all professional players replace
> their original barrels with something better...
I would disagree with Ken that using aftermarket barrels is that widespread. I'm sure I know as many if not more players who still use the original equipment barrels as those who have bought other barrels. (Something's not right with that syntactically, but never mind.) But I agree with the general opinion so far that you should concentrate on what *you* do as a player and wait until you have a clearer idea of what's involved before you begin (if you begin) chasing after equipment. A responsive reed on a good mouthpiece on a good, mechanically well-regulated instrument are much more important than barrels, bells or even ligatures. Save your money for now.
Karl
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Author: ramsa
Date: 2012-08-22 17:41
The change from the stock plastic Buffet mouthpiece to a Vandoren 5RV was pretty amazing, and just wanted to make sure a barrel change wouldn't be the same kind of improvement. With the cut of bore, length, material, brand, cosmetics, there's sure alot to digest. It's fun to read and learn about, and I was curious to see if it's a pretty standard change, or "going off the deep end" for a non-professional to get involved with.
Sure are some pretty products out there for sale. (I'm just afraid it's like fishing lures: More designed to catch fishermen than fish...) Not saying they couldn't make an improvement in tone or playability, but trying to decide if I should get involved, or just go back to practicing. Hope you understand.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2012-08-22 17:44
A mouthpiece can make a huge difference. A barrel's influence is much more subtle. Barrels tend to be designed for individual tastes and often the differences can only be heard by the player him- or herself.
Karl
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Author: Wes
Date: 2012-08-22 21:55
As the purchaser of four new R13s over the last 20 years, I've had to address other issues before even thinking about barrels. They have all had springs adjusted to fit King Kong, the rings have all been way too high over the holes, and the wood near the tenon bases enlarged on playing and had to be filed down. They all have sounded wonderful with the original barrels except that the NOS 1971 bought in 1993 was a shade flat and I put a Chadash 65mm barrel on that to play at A440.
The newest R13 is a Prestige with a great sound and a pretty good Buffet mouthpiece included, which plays very well in the altissimo. This Buffet mouthpiece has a lateral concaveness but no longitudinal concaveness on it's table, something rarely seen, which I expect to correct. In the meantime, I'll use one of my great NOS mouthpieces, which I'll not name to avoid ebrickbats.
On the subject Festival Buffet, there should be no hurry to chase after barrels as this clarinet is quite good with the stock barrels.
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-08-22 22:09
I think it would be a bit silly to purchase a replacement barrel without a reason to change your instrument. I guess what I'm saying is, is there something on your instrument you are trying remedy (i.e.- tone in the throat notes, fluidity over the register break, easier high notes, focus in the instrument, tuning)? If the answer is yes to any of those, then a new barrel may help you. If the answer is no, then why waste money? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I'm no expert on what other professionals play, but I think it is pretty common to replace the barrel. A lot of barrels look like originals but aren't, and there are also a number of techs that customize barrels as well. A lot of technology has come to pass since the age of Goodman and Shaw.
Drew S.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2012-08-23 02:46
I would email Patti Goodwin at Taplin Weir in Toronto. The type of taper is important here.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2012-08-23 15:29
Barrels are like mouthpieces and he rest of the clarinet. Only you (with, hopefully, another pair of skilled ears) can decide what is right for you.
You need a reference barrel to compare to, and you need a list of things to check:
Intonation (if a low register note is in tune and you just punch the register key, does the high register come out in tune?), responsiveness, and tone color(s)...
Bob Phillips
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Author: Ed
Date: 2012-08-23 16:05
If you want a "better" tone, there are lots of things that you can work on. I would not be jumping to get new equipment.
I would only consider switching barrels or other equipment if/when there are specific things that you are looking for that you cannot achieve through practice with your current setup. The barrel can help with response, intonation, color, etc, but I believe in knowing what you are looking for when starting a search. Don't change something just because it is different.
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Author: ramsa
Date: 2012-08-23 17:02
Just had a chat w/ teacher over phone. He's pointing me toward checking out some different reeds, strengths, adjusting with a knife, etc. before getting to look into barrel shopping. I agree that might be a better option to look at for better sound/ ease of playing.
Been using various 2 and 2 1/2 strength reeds and first step probably to bump up to 3 or even 3 1/2 reeds... I KNOW the Buffet I own is good, it's just frustrating to hear the sounds that an accomplished player can make, VS what I sound like on a good day...
More practice. Maybe some recording and critical listening. But more practice, for sure...
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Author: kdk
Date: 2012-08-23 17:05
ramsa wrote:
> ...I KNOW the
> Buffet I own is good, it's just frustrating to hear the sounds
> that an accomplished player can make, VS what I sound like on a
> good day...
>
That's an important key. What does your teacher sound like on your set up? If he sounds more like what you want, the answer isn't in the equipment.
Karl
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-08-23 18:47
kdk wrote:
> That's an important key. What does your teacher sound like on
> your set up? If he sounds more like what you want, the answer
> isn't in the equipment.
>
> Karl
I agree with this to an extent, but truthfully, we are all built different internally, so what works for one person is not necessarily best for another. The best thing to do is to find a middle of the road setup to start, and then adjust equipment according to your own playing style. i.e.:
If you want deeper tone, get a mouthpiece with a longer facing.
If you want to be able to play more softly, switch to a smaller tip opening.
If you want easier high notes, get a mouthpiece with a shorter facing.
If you and your teacher have not discussed what areas you would like to improve on, this is the first step. When you know where you'd like to go, then you can start traveling in that direction.
Drew S.
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Author: ramsa
Date: 2012-08-23 19:44
Thanks for all the replies. Probably the biggest bang for the buck will be to experiment with my reeds first. We'll see how things progress, and if I can hear much difference in quality of tone. It'll be fun work. (Basics are a fight I have on an ongoing basis. It's like lifting weights for me; healthy, but hard to get in a habit of practice.)
The idea of swapping barrels and getting instant results was really pretty attractive. And maybe that will happen down the road someday. The advertising and images on the web sure make it look easy...
Anyway, I've taken a deep breath, and going to think about where I'd like to improve for awhile.
Thanks.
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Author: Carson
Date: 2012-08-24 02:15
I sort of thought the big thing with a new barrel was to get a different length to allow you to play in key. You know in case your a little sharp or flat as compared to everyone else.
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