 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: hunterirwin
Date: 2016-04-10 11:45
I've been reading a lot on synthetic barrels, and their makers. I've thought about getting one, to help improve my throat tones and 12ths. They seem like a good investment if you live in a place where the climate changes a lot. I live in Eastern New Mexico, and I swear the weather changes like every five minutes...! Is there a lot of difference between these and one that is made out of a wood like grenadilla, cocobolo, or rosewood? As for brands, I've seen Fobes, Muncy, Scott, etc... All I know is that one professor told me to make sure that I get one that has a "reverse taper," which all of those have. I'd like to learn more on this subject, so let me know what you all think.
Thanks,
Hunter Irwin
hunter.irwin@outlook.com
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2016-04-10 17:59
A barrel,whether wood or synthetic, is specific to your make and model of clarinet.
Reverse taper,or not, again tends to be model specific and whether or not you are having any specific problems with your current barrel.
The material which it is made of is probably less important than the physical/accoustical properties of the barrel itself.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2016-04-10 18:23
Hunter:
I admire your enthusiasm for clarinet.
Unfortunately, I don't have enough intelligence on the affect that different barrel materials and tapers have on play, specific to intonation, except to say that if you think weather (forgetting reeds for a moment) plays a role in pitch, by adjusting the dimensions of your existing barrel(s), that hard rubber barrels, like those from Ridenour, might be something to consider.
This is not so much to comment on the degree of excellence of Ridenour barrel designs (good, bad or indifferent), as it is on the dimensional stability of hard rubber to temperature and humidity changes. BTW, Mr. Ridenour has a good video on reverse taper barrels here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2m8NVdxNo0
I appreciate the changing weather you face in your locale, but I'm not sure that a wood clarinet (or barrel) responds to it anywhere as fast as might be measured in the minutes used to note the time that's past between weather events.
Fortunately, there's a good chance that others on the board will intelligently comment on this.
Which begs the question: why have I, with limited subject matter knowledge, written?
Here comes the tough love, having read all your recent posts covering your background, age, and plans:
Many of the posts on this bboard stem from a common desire to ultimately be a better player. Whether it's understanding a concept, or what we're doing wrong, or gear, or fingering--it's all, like your barrel question, about playing better, right?
I know I must sound like a broken record to regulars here, but the secret to being better in all matters of play is so, so, so much less about gear as it is in investing your time and money in the etude study books of our craft, until you can play flawlessly and in sync with your metronome. It's about listening to your play and adjusting to intonation issues with embouchure.
Please know Hunter that in know way do I wish to stifle your curiosity. The clarinet bboard's a great place during rest time from practice to kick back and discuss our instrument.
Now--I don't want to discount the importance of good gear, especially where it does count. The right mouthpiece, reed, barrel and repair tech can go a long way in maximizing your talent, but only the "sweat equity" of putting in your dues with the type of play I describe above is what develops that talent.
You may all too well appreciate this. I just wanted to make sure you know it.
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Author: Pereira3D
Date: 2016-04-10 20:06
Hi Hunter,
As a disclaimer, I make and sell synthetic barrels with reverse tapers.
It is true that synthetic materials can offer more consistency in pitch through warming up and they do remain stable. It's also a benefit that synthetic barrels will not alter in dimensions through time. I read a study of a group of clarinetists testing barrels that had the same dimensions but varied in materials, including Grenadilla, Mopane, Purpleheart, Cocobolo, and Delrin (the synthetic material). 25% of participants preferred Grenadilla, same for Mopane, Purpleheart, and Delrin, with 0% preferring Cocobolo. This may not mean anything for you, but it never hurts to try new varieties of barrels. If you'd like to ask questions, feel free to contact me.
Ryan Pereira
Pereira 3D Clarinet Services
www.Pereira3D.com
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2016-04-10 20:12
I'd like to read that study. Can you give a reference to access it?
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Author: Pereira3D
Date: 2016-04-10 20:33
Mark James Cramer lead the study. What I just said is obviously scratching the surface, but here is a quick link to finding that info:
http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncp/listing.aspx?id=18113
Ryan Pereira
Pereira 3D Clarinet Services
www.Pereira3D.com
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-04-10 21:32
A reverse taper barrel depends on your MP and instrument. I used a reverse taper Scott barrel with my Vandoren M13 and R13 clarinet.
The Charles Bay H1 MP was hopelessly flat in the high register with the Scott barrel ... the standard straight bore stock R13 barrel tuned much better.
Point is, you gotta check it our for yourself ... live with one for a few days, and pay extra attention to your tuning.
I do vote for a non-wood, such as hard rubber, ABS, nylon or delrin.
Check out the hard rubber Ridenour barrels ... less expensive than most others.
Tom
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Author: mddds
Date: 2016-04-14 07:38
On Boehm system, I have reverse taper C Robert Scott barrels 63-66mm.
I've been using Scott barrels since 1987.
They work very well with R13's. They also work well with CRS mouthpieces and ligatures(!)
They are very stable. The craftsmanship is great.
On German system, I use the P&S Zoom barrels (wood/nylon), which are very convenient in ensemble work and sound great. I would probably use CRS barrels if he made them for this system.
My 2 cents.... but you do need to try for yourself.
-CK
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