 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: esheffer
Date: 2015-11-11 23:15
Hello I am a clarinet performance/commercial music double major and just bought a BD5 mouthpiece about two months ago from Vandoren. The mouthpiece is tuned to A441. I had a tendency to be flat on almost every instrument. So now, I play really sharp on my Buffet R13 Bb clarinet and still flat on my Buffet R13 A clarinet.
My next move is trying new barrels so I don't have to pull my clarinet apart so far on my Bb and hopefully (Fingers-Crossed) get my intonation up on the A clarinet. I know this is a pretty big expense considering I will most likely have to get a barrel for each clarinet and I am willing to put as much into it as I can get out of it.
I also am interested in get a new ligature sometime in the moderately close future (within a year or so). I am currently on a Vandoren M/O gold series. Again, I am willing to pay whatever for it.
I was wondering if anyone has suggestions regarding which barrels are favored, where to try multiple of them, and/or any opinions on how to get my intonation raised on the A clarinet.
Thanks
Emily Sheffer
esheffer@millikin.edu
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2015-11-12 02:01
Most companies will send multiple barrels to you for trial. They usually would send to professors at a discounted rate. I believe that Backun sent them to me this way when I was teaching at another school. I had a couple of interested students (as was the clarinet professor--I was the oboe/bassoon professor), but I was the only one that ended up buying a barrel.
I'd check with Backun, Muncy, Allan Segal, and Fobes among others to see what they can offer you.
Good luck!
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2015-11-12 02:11
Emily:
For high end, "boutique" items, you might call Brad Behn. His mouthpieces are wonderful and I know he just released a new line of barrels. It's hard to surpass his customer service and could certainly made suggestions for you.
~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-11-12 03:29
Buffet offer several length options on their stock barrels so why not try a 64mm barrel. This is what I use in conjunction with a VD crystal A1 mouthpiece which has a relatively large bore which flattens the pitch quite a bit and it works fine at A 440.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-11-12 03:39
It sounds like you may have switched your barrels around. The Buffet A clarinet barrel is the short one.
Steve Ocone
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-11-12 07:03
I've never heard that about the lengths of the barrels of R13s being different specifically for Bb vs. A. The bore on the A clarinet is a little narrower but usually if you use a 66mm barrel on one, you use a 66 on the other (66mm is the current provided length from from the manufacturer).
So if the A is flatter, you need to try a shorter length for that. Usually a 1mm difference will do, but try them out (with a tuner in hand) to be sure what works for you.
Keep in mind, pulling out 2mm or so is not a sin. In fact I find it advantageous. Inevitably the ensemble will move sharper and the added length at the beginning of rehearsal (and performance) can then be pushed shorter to accommodate the difference.
As for the ligature, you have a GREAT ligature. You could spend a fortune on different ligatures and not get much of an improvement at all. I'd say just stick with that one........it's a real winner.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2015-11-12 19:26
Sounds to me like you need a 13 series mouthpiece.
Re barrels, for 440 a 66 on Bb and 65 on A will do the job well and of course you should be pulled out for even tuning.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: pewd
Date: 2015-11-12 20:23
The default for a Bb R13 is 66mm. For an A, 65 mm.
Mine are stamped R13 A 650 and R13 B 660.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: esheffer
Date: 2015-11-12 20:43
Steven-
I do not have the barrels switched around. They are actually both the same size with different bore I believe. I don't have them with me right now.
I've played on a friend's Backun before back in high school when I didn't know near as much as I do now. It wasn't terrible I just wanted different brands to try that other's have had good experience with. Rather than just be narrowly focused on just one.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2015-11-12 23:42
Try to ascertain what aspects you want to change, and what type of sound you are seeking. It helps to describe to the artisan what you want.
There are many brands and also boutique custom makers. Disclaimer: I am one of them.
BTW Typically the A clarinet takes the shorter barrel, with a narrower bore in many (but not all)models.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Robert Moody
Date: 2015-11-13 17:43
I think it would be wise to notice the pattern with the established players here: Bb and A clarinets often use different length barrels. My experience is exactly the same and I have a shorter barrel for my A clarinet using the same mouthpiece on both.
Also concerning barrels, my personal experience is to get a synthetic material barrel. I know this may bring about ire from some of the other players, but I've had nothing but great experiences with synthetic and nothing but annoyances with wood.
I might recommend Robert Scott barrels but there are other great synthetic barrels as well.
I am not a fan of expensive ligatures. Do they make a difference? Sure...some. But, for me, not enough to warrant $75 to $250 for one. I'm of the "slap a string on it and let's play" attitude (I use Rovner). My experience is that the Silverstein type ligatures are having a run in popularity right now. http://goo.gl/PiLflZ Maybe David Blumberg will send me his old Silverstein to try and convince me to invest. ;-)
Advice: PRACTICE switching your mouthpiece between clarinets in the context of your music before doing it on stage...even before rehearsal. You will be able to address issues of reed movement, proper lubrication, etc.
Best of luck
Robert Moody
http://www.musix4me.com
Free Clarinet Lessons and Digital Library!
Post Edited (2015-11-13 17:44)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-11-13 19:49
My experience is quite different regarding barrels. For many years (of course I speak of the "old days" circa '80) one would use ONE barrel for both A and Bb switching both barrel and mouthpiece from one to the other. Back then the standard solution was to use the 67mm A clarinet barrel for both (the narrow A barrel bore actually seemed to help achieve a better core sound on the Bb).
Perhaps clarinet playing has evolved over the years without me.
I noticed Allan Segal has posted here as well. His barrels are WONDERFUL !!!!
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-11-15 18:29
Sounds like you need to measure your barrel length. Buffet A clarinets are supposed to come from the factory with a 65 mm barrel. You may need a shorter one.
A too long barrel will flatten the notes at the top of the instrument more than those further down. Check both registers. Others here can give much better advice on whether you need a shorter barrel and how to adjust the clarinet.
Best to do a tuning chart before you start making changes. Find out if the whole instrument equally flat or if certain areas or notes are worse than others.
Steve Ocone
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