 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Nomenclature
Date: 2019-06-28 21:53
My pitch over the last year has become as flat as a pancake. It's really, really obvious and I don't know why. I'm already playing on a shorter barrel and have a relatively new Buffet RC clarinet. I've played for many years and this has never been an issue. Can anyone suggest what's wrong?
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2019-06-28 22:03
There could be dozens of things wrong, either with you or your equipment.
Why not narrow it down by having someone else play your setup and see if another player has the same problem.
You'll surely get many suggestions here, but why not check the easiest thing first? Occam's razor.
B.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2019-06-28 23:00
How flat (using a tuner)?
Have you changed mouthpieces? Have you changed reeds? Changed anything about the way you approach embouchure? Is the flatness uniform over the instrument's entire compass, more in the throat notes and lessening as you lengthen the tube? Is one particular register flat? Specific notes?
Obviously a knowledgeable repair tech could tell you more easily what's wrong from hearing and seeing the instrument first-hand, but you should provide more detailed description to get anything meaningful here.
Karl
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Author: Nomenclature
Date: 2019-06-28 23:08
Thanks, all of the notes are sounding flat although the higher I go (towards a top C), the flatter it sounds. I haven't changed my mouthpiece (B45) and am using Legere European Signature reeds strength 2.5. I tried a Legere 3 recently but found it too hard and struggled to get a note. The shorter barrel I am using is a Moennig but can't off the top of my head remember the size. Unfortunately due to where I live, there are no local repairers and the only one nearby doesn't play clarinet.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2019-06-28 23:20
How flat? Do you have a digital tuner to see how many cents are involved?
Many of us have complained here that, while there's much to recommend Legere Euro Signature reeds, one of their downsides is that they tend to play flatter than a cane reed of the right strength on a given mouthpiece. That may be all the explanation you need. Have you tried cane lately, just for comparison?
Karl
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Author: Nomenclature
Date: 2019-06-28 23:36
Thank you, next time I'll try with a digital tuner to see how flat I am.
That's disappointing about the Legere reeds as I love how easy they are to play and they have improved my staccato enormously. I'll try a cane reed again and see what happens.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-06-29 00:40
If it is JUST global flatness, there is nothing wrong with getting a shorter barrel. I have a 62mm Moening that I use with my Legere European Signature reeds. I am told that Frank Cohen also uses a 62mm barrel due to the way he voices. The size provided with current Buffet R13 clarinets is 66mm, and they only currently make 64mm as the shortest available size.
You can also order custom barrel sizes from makers like Dr. Alan Segal (ClarinetConcepts.com).
Of course if it is just flatness as you go up, you need to consult with your teacher about increased air and embouchure support (kinda what you do when you whistle higher and higher).
...............Paul Aviles
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