The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: 440Hz mouthpiece on 442Hz tuning

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2020-07-11 18:00

Jimis4klar wrote:

> Let assume that we want to play exclusively on a mouthpiece
> which is tuned at 440Hz(and there isn't 442Hz version of It)
> but we want to be tuned at 442Hz, what else we should change on
> clarinet to get at 442Hhz tuning with right sound and all notes
> in tune? Barrel? Bell? Or both??

It's hard to believe that you can't find a higher-tuning mouthpiece that you could enjoy playing on. I'd still consider a different mouthpiece as a first try at getting your tuning up to 442.

But if that's really a non-starter:

All the notes aren't in tune on any clarinet even with the original barrel at the pitch the instrument is designed for. It's a question of how many are involved and how out of tune they are. The greatest effect on pitch when you change the barrel length will (should) be in the notes at the top of the bore - the throat notes. You may even have sharp throat notes with a higher-tuned mouthpiece. A little tape in the holes if they go too sharp with a shorter barrel can adjust that.

Bells don't affect pitch much other than the longest notes - E/B and F/C. If you use a shorter barrel and the "bell tones" don't come up enough, then maybe you'll need a different bell. I wouldn't spend the money on a bell until you get your instrument up to the pitch you want and then see if the "bell tones" need extra help.

> and what kind of barrel or
> bell should we use? Same brand with the whole instrument?
> other brand?(to get homogeneous sound?) I'm thinking of an
> adjustable barrel like Paulus and Schuler Zoom, but give me
> your thoughts..
>

I'm not sure what you mean by "to get a homogeneous sound." Who is "we?" Are you trying to change the pitch of a whole clarinet section of a band or orchestra? Or is "we" just a rhetorical expression ("editorial 'we'") to include you and readers here? If you're only talking about one instrument, what sound changes - non-homogeneity - are you trying to avoid? There are a number of non-adjustable after-market barrels on the market by Clark Fobes, Morrie Backun, Guy Chaddash, Walter Grabner and Buffet (Moennig). You really have to try them because they can have different native tone qualities and one may make it easier than another to get the sound you want to produce. I know of at least one custom barrel maker, Allen Segal, who has made barrels for me.

What make/model clarinet are you playing? Barrels' bores should be compatible with (not the same as identical to) your clarinet's bore.

I'm not a fan of adjustable barrels, so I'll leave it to others to differentiate among the ones you mention or any others.

If there are after-market barrels made by your clarinet's manufacturer, I think I'd start with that.

Karl

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics

Author

Date

440Hz mouthpiece on 442Hz tuning new

Jimis4klar

2020-07-11 15:42

Re: 440Hz mouthpiece on 442Hz tuning new

kdk

2020-07-11 18:00