 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: dave d
Date: 2015-12-07 00:19
Hello everyone,
I've read much on the forum of older clarinets tuned to A=435, often marked 'LP', but I have not found mention of specific makes and models of these clarinets. I am interested in finding one in order to play with singers and musicians who regularly play at A=432. My hope is I can bridge the small difference more successfully with a clarinet built to a lower pitch, than with my various experiments so far to lower the pitch on my clarinet built for A=440. Can anyone suggest some makes and models to look out for?
Thanks in advance
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-12-07 00:51
Boosey & co., Hawkes & Son and the later (1930) almalgamation of these two as Boosey & Hawkes all produced clarinets made at High Pitch (HP) and Low Pitch (LP) and generally marked as such up to about start of WW II.
Whilst LP in the early part of 20th century was typically A=435 I believe there was a gradual move towards the French pitch of A=439 in later years until of course the International standard! A=440 was agreed in 1939.
Many UK professional players used pre-war B&H instruments well into 1970s (even later) so clearly not a problem for them at A=440.
I have seen many other makes for the UK and USA markets marked HP so assume there were matching LP models, though not sute if they were actually marked LP.
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Author: modernicus
Date: 2015-12-07 01:23
I think there is a temperature variable in there too between the A=435 and the A=439 or A=440 that makes the actual difference smaller than the numbers suggest under the same conditions. However, a probable legitimate very old A=435 clarinet shouldn't be too hard to find, especially in Europe. Where are you located and what key system do you want?
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Author: dave d
Date: 2015-12-07 02:32
I am located in the United States, Northern Virginia area. I prefer the Boehm system, but I am open to Albert, also.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2015-12-07 03:43
You may have better luck trying to find a high pitch A clarinet. An A clarinet at A = 452-460 (High pitch can vary between countries) would roughly be an Bb clarinet at A = 432. Hope this helps!
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2015-12-07 19:40
Dave D, I've restored probably over a hundred vintage clarinets, and every one of them engraved "LP" has been tuned at right around A-440. I don't think you'll find anything tuned as low as A-432. I'd suggest you take a standard A-440 instrument and pull it out everywhere; barrel, between the two long joints, and bell; maybe put O-rings between each piece to keep them apart. You'll have to favor some of the notes, but if you're playing with singers, they're never in tune anyway, good luck with that!
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2015-12-09 02:59
I have to agree with Mr. Spiegelthal. I have a pre-WWII Kolert which is marked LP and a Selmer which has to be a very early Selmer USA and is not marked as to pitch. Both of those play very nicely at A=440.
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