 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BGBG
Date: 2017-05-16 03:41
If I have a Buffet E11 Germany and play flat and my barrel is 64 mm according to my measurement, how would I tell what length barrel to try to play on pitch? My teacher said I was playing flat and suggested a shorter barrel but I did not follow up and I am no longer taking lessons, but still play flat according to the electronic tuner-not an all notes though and it varies on the same note.
Maybe it is not even a barrel issue?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2017-05-16 04:24
The easiest way to check is to have someone else play your clarinet. If they also are flat, it's probably an equipment issue (though not necessarily the barrel, which already seems short). If another player is in tune, then the flatness is probably caused by something you're doing with your embouchure or inside your mouth.
Is your tuner set for A=440 or 442 or something higher?
Karl
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2017-05-16 04:53
Karl's advice is the quickest path to determining whether you or the instrument are the source of the pitch issue.
The mouthpiece and reed are a contributing factor -- what do you use?
At face value: if you are playing an E11 flat (when the instrument is designed to play A = 442), the issue is your embouchure/voicing, and unless it is caused by a physical limitation I would not suggest a shorter barrel.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: BGBG
Date: 2017-05-16 06:32
Actually the tuner is a Chromatic Korg CA-1 and when I turn it on it shows "440 Hz" in upper left corner. The clarinet is a buffet E11 Bb clarinet. I do not know a whole lot if anything about this but seeing posts about it I thought I would address it. Tuner has an up-down calibration button and I can set it to 442 if necessary, or other values. I guess I left it the way it came. Maybe it should be set at 442?
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Author: Burt
Date: 2017-05-16 06:41
No, set it for 440 (assuming you're in the US).
Follow kdk and Tobin's advice.
If your long notes, like low E and low F, are nearly in tune, while your throat tones are very flat, then consider a shorter barrel. Otherwise, it's a different problem (embochure, ice cubes in your mouth, "A" clarinet, ...?)
Again, follow kdk and Tobin's advice.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2017-05-16 06:50
BGBG wrote:
> Tuner has an up-down calibration button and I can set it to
> 442 if necessary, or other values. I guess I left it the way it
> came. Maybe it should be set at 442?
Not unless you play in a band or orchestra that tunes to 442. And if you set it to 442, you'll show up that much flatter. You're already flat to A=440.
There's probably nothing wrong with the tuner, but it never hurts to check one tuner against another. If your tuner plays tones, play it into another tuner. If not. play the same note with both tuners turned on and see if they show the same pitch.
Karl
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-05-16 15:18
A 64mm barrel is already very short for a barrel and for an instrument that's most likely built to play at 442Hz.
So if you're playing flat, then it's most likely an embouchure problem and reed strength will be a factor too.
A shorter barrel isn't the answer - your teacher should be able to diagnose and correct any faults you are experiencing as that's what teachers are for.
What mouthpiece and reed strength are you using and how long have you been playing for and been having lessons for?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: BGBG
Date: 2017-05-16 18:52
I can understand why I never pursued this. I have been playing for 3 years and for myself only. The pieces sound suitable to me though the tuner says some notes are -20 or more flat. But if playing a piece I just go on playing. Maybe if I look up some info on embouchure or start playing single long notes and watching the tuner I can improve this. I am no longer taking lessons so have no teacher. Just me. But I would like to improve if I can find out how. My reeds are mostly 2.5 and 3 and I play around 45 minutes a day and use next reed each day. Do not rally know how to work on embouchure but suspect that could use some work. Guess the tuner is correctly set at A440. I shall search for ways to improve embouchure and play individual notes trying to stay on pitch.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2017-05-16 19:02
As long as you only play for yourself, it doesn't really matter what your pitch level is. But if you ever want to play in an ensemble, you'll need to be better in tune.
Karl
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-05-16 19:41
Have you considered clarinet lessons via Skype?
I'm not sure of the finer details of using Skype (way too technical for me), but it's worth looking into.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2017-05-17 05:20
BGBG -- do your cheeks puff (expand) as you're playing?
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: BGBG
Date: 2017-05-18 19:14
I do not thinks so. Will take note next play. Intend to research embouchure. Though no one is listening and grading me I do want to be reasonably correct if I can. I have been just playing songs but now am using slow metronome and trying to improve timing and fingering, especially the upper register
Post Edited (2017-05-19 06:18)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-05-18 20:31
Have you watched any YouTube videos on clarinet embouchure? I'm sure there are many on there who go into detail, so worth having a look on there too.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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