 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BflatNH
Date: 2016-01-29 15:15
A player I know can tune the [throat tone] open G into pitch, but the top end of the Clarion, especially high C6 is sharp about 12 cents. The surprising thing is that pulling out the barrel does *not* seem to lower the pitch. Where to start - mouthpiece?
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2016-01-29 17:29
A sharp upper clarion can be improved (a bit) by lowering the opening of the register key so it is as close as possible to the register tube without making Bb too stuffy. You can do this easily by putting some more material on the key cork on the register key.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-01-29 17:43
Another point to keep in mind is that when you tune your open "G" (which is my favorite tuning note by the way), it needs to be with your embouchure IN THE MIDDLE of its tuning range. By that I mean you could just as easily still play LOWER or play HIGHER pitch from there at will. If you push while tuning open "G," not only will many notes by high, you also won't have the ability to adjust higher on any note (which is bad). It's bad because you won't be able to adjust up from flat notes, they will just remain flat.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-01-29 17:52
Do be aware that the open G and high C utilise completely different toneholes, so check the F (thumb only) is in tune. Open G issues from the small tonehole beneath the throat A touchpiece whereas high C (and the lower register F) issues from the LH1 tonehole chimney.
Check their lower register F is in tune (thumb only) and if it too is sharp, then use some Blu-Tack or plasticine (modelling clay) to fill the LH1 tonehole chimney in enough to bring the pitch down. Fill it in from the top side (nearest the mouthpiece end) and form the filler in the shape of a crescent so the tonehole is still round instead of oval.
You can use the blunt end of a twist drill or a round smooth metal or plastic rod to shape the inside. And using Blu-Tack or similar putty that can be added to or removed easily, it can be adjusted easily too.
If you want something more permanent, then apply molten beeswax with a heated metal rod and then that can easily be adjusted by removing or adding more without any harm done to the clarinet.
If in doubt, seek the advice from a specialist clarinet repairer who understands clarinet acoustics and tuning.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-01-30 10:04
I kind of have to get into the embouchure adjustments. This can get complicated. Biting for example, too open of a mouthpiece, too hard of a reed, and the need to hear when you may be slightly out of tune. The need to be able to adjust accordingly.
For example, in an orchestra a lot of instruments go sharp naturally in the upper registers, so there may not be a need to be that concerned. You may be right on pitch. The clarinet is far from perfect so you have to constantly make adjustments. Flutes often go high and oboes do too. So my answer is to have a firm, but flexible embouchure. The high C going sharp is very common on Buffet clarinets, I'm not sure about other brands. Above high C is when the Buffet's can go flat and again other instruments go sharp. This actually concerns me a lot more.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: BflatNH
Date: 2016-01-31 05:27
I had her 'lip' the various (throat G4, C5, G5, C6) up and down to get an idea on what range she could do, and even with the barrel out enough to see cork (and G4 getting flat), the high C6 was still sharp while she loosened her embouchure and otherwise tried to 'lip' it down. Thoughts?
Next time I'm going to play it with my mpc and barrel and see what happens.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-01-31 20:54
Sorry........barely read initial post.
Sounds like a leak. If not a pad, perhaps from under a loose (or over tapped post).
How is the first space "F?"
or
Could be some crazy mismatch of mouthpiece vs instrument (or barrel). How does your student tune on YOUR clarinet with the same mouthpiece?
Any way you slice the problem, it is NOT the student's fault (as you describe it).
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2016-02-02 22:37
You need to see how your octaves tune, B-B, C-C. not from a throat tone. Some clarinets just have too large octaves and there's not a whole lot you can do about i, especially if the E and F throat tones are OK or a tiny bit flat as normal. Trying different barrels may help depending on the bore size but it's a long shot to only tune one or two notes. That will usually effect a whole register.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2016-02-03 05:41
If you are not already doing so, try a barrel with a reverse taper bore. That is, where the bore in the barrel is not cylindrical, but cone shaped, with the wider diameter by the mouthpiece and the more narrow diameter by the upper joint of the clarinet.
(Buffet markets such a barrel with their "Moennig" style barrels. Also I believe that most if not all Chadash barrels are reverse taper.)
The reverse taper bore affects the size of the twelfths in the upper portion of the clarinet, notably D-A, E-B, and F-C, making them smaller (closer together).
Often times, the use of such a barrel will narrow the corresponding twelfths enough to bring a sharp clarion B and C into tune.
This is a very old trick, but worth trying.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
Buffet Clarinets
Mouthpieces
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