The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Vova Doob(UA)
Date: 2012-11-03 09:33
Hi! Month ago I`ve bought nice Selmer Series 9 clarinet. Amazing instrumet but i`ve detect that low A sounds very sharp. I don`t understand why, there only this note is bad, E on the same aplicature sounds properly, so I can`t understand where is the problem. Maby someone can help me?
Another question. Barrel for this clarinet is original and have lenght 66mm it tunes great in 442 so what barrel lenght in need to hear good tune in 440?
Thank You!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-11-03 12:02
I use an original 67mm barrel with my Series 9 which is the standard length.
The problem with clarinet tunings is some notes in the lower register will sound flat or sharp compared to their 12th - the makers have done this for a reason as in this case it's better to have a sharp low register A (which can be flattened) than a flat upper register E (which isn't easy to sharpen) if the A was brought down to pitch.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2012-11-03 19:21
Many of the larger bore French instruments of this period (especially if heavily undercut) tend to be rather sharp on the lower RH chalumeau notes A Bb B especially in pianissimo whilst the 12 ths above are spot on.
As Chris noted this is a tuning compromise decided by the makers. You just have to work around this - even pulling out temporarily if there is a very exposed solo passage in this register.
As for 440 vs 442 then typically a barrel about 1 mm longer will fix this (or pull out and/or use tuning rings).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Vova Doob(UA)
Date: 2012-11-03 22:14
I found that if press additionaly low F key tune become more correct, so maby apply of alternate aplicature have a sense?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wes
Date: 2012-11-03 23:01
Ditto to the above comments. On an old Triebert intermediate clarinet, I was able to correct the low register RH sharp notes by reaming the barrel a la a Moennig barrel. My granddaughter later played it in Carnegie Hall in NYC with a wind ensemble. Try a Moennig barrel if possibe.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
|