 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sionell
Date: 2014-04-27 11:07
I have a Yamaha CSG and am using the shorter barrel that comes with it. Measuring it with my unscientific iPhone ruler - it's 55mm in length. The longer barrel is 56mm. I am looking for an even shorter barrel (perhaps 54mm?) to try as I tend to play a little bit flat (approx -5 cents), even when warmed up well. I also play duets with my daughter and her flute, and she has to pull out her headjoint a lot so we can be in tune with each other and even then we are both straddling the note, her sharp and me flat by a little bit.
My current setup:
* Yamaha CSG
* stock CSG mouthpiece (also tried Vandoren B45, doesn't seem to make a difference)
* Rovner Dark Ligature
* CSG Short barrel: 55mm
* Reeds: Mitchell Lurie 3.0/Rico Reed 2.5/Vandoren Rue Lepic 2.5
I'm at the limit of strength for the reeds I have - I can't push enough air through if I go to a stronger reed. I don't like the Vandoren blue box reeds as they tend to be very squeaky at C5 and above. I prefer the tone of the Rue Lepic reeds; but I can only play about half of the ones I've tried so far, as they tend to be very stiff.
So how can I fix my slight flatness?
Should I change mouthpiece? I was considering the Vandoren CL4 to try.
What about a shorter barrel? Initial searching has turned up no options for that off the shelf - I'd have to order a custom one which means $$$.
Other reeds?
Thanks for your thoughts!
-Nancy
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-04-27 14:12
Ok, lots of material to work with here.
The barrel thing: Yamaha arrived at the length for the American market by surveying many "unnamed pro clarinet players." I don't know who they were but I think they all played really sharp. I have always use their shortest available barrel (you need to special order) which is 53.5 mm long. I have actually settled on a 54mm "fat boy" made by Allan Segal. This SHORTEST length IS a requirement to play pretty much any mouthpiece you run across here in the States.
I don't know how ANYONE plays the Yamaha mouthpieces. I have seen some posts here of loyal fans and even have a few students who don't sound any better on other mouthpieces but really ANYTHING else should be better.
As for (at least Vandorens) to find a better pitch match, you should be looking at those that are "standard pitch" or NON 13 Series in their line. The 13 Series is meant to be "lower" in pitch and is NOT a good match for the CSG.
The Masters Series is a higher pitch mouthpiece and the CL4 is quite wonderful (my current weapon of choice on the CSG). Another in their line that would be worth looking at would be the 5RV Lyre (the M13 is also a good facing but when I looked at them they were only available in the 13 Series pitch).
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2014-04-27 18:48
I am not sure why, but I get a lot of requests for shorter custom barrels for the Yamaha CSG series. Many of these orders come from professionals both in the US and in Asia, so I am sure they have tried combinations of reeds and mouthpieces prior to resorting to barrel changes.
It is, however, an excellent instrument.
Disclaimer. I make and sell barrels.
Allan
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2014-04-27 19:34
When I got my CSGs, I was playing the M30 and had to get a couple of the shorter "CSG Tuning Barrels" (developed by Scott Kurzweil?) that are available from a couple of online companies. These barrels are quite serviceable but I still favor the original CSG barrels (I only got 1 for each instrument?).
Later, I switched to a B40 13 (with #3 VD and Rico Reserve reeds) and found that I had few intonation problems with the standard barrels (except for the typical low-F/E).
During that time I tried a Masters CL5 which, though it played similar reeds to what I was using with my B40 13, seemed to have a brighter sound than the B40. It did however, play sharper than the B40.
Within the last year I needed to switch mouthpieces to something less resistant and now play on 2 of the Kessler-Backun Type III (1.16) mouthpieces. These are Zinners that play really well with VD Traditional #3 reeds, although I also am using #3 Gonzales GD reeds as well. With this setup, I get the sound/response I want, with less resistance, and I have no problems playing in the A440-442 range with my standard barrels.
I think the real difference is the Zinner design--they just play a bit higher.
Personally, I really like the Kessler-Backun mouthpieces. There is also a Type II (1.06) that might be more similar to the CL4 and well worth trying out.
Bob Barnhart
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Author: Dan Oberlin ★2017
Date: 2014-04-27 21:45
Tomoji Hirakata (thirakata@yamaha.com) was very helpful when I needed some barrels for my CSGII.
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Author: sionell
Date: 2014-04-28 20:21
Thanks to everyone for your helpful replies. I've decided to try the CL4 mouthpiece and have also contacted Allan about a shorter barrel. I'll report back when they arrive and I can play around with them and my tuner
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