The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

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

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Contra Alto Tuning Inconsistencies

Author: moolatte
Date: 2026-10-28 20:39

I am currently playing a Selmer Bundy contra alto clarinet in a community group, and despite the instrument sounding divine alone, its tuning across its range is wildly inconsistent.

Assuming I've adjusted the neck slide enough such that the notes in the middle of the instrument body are in tune, the throat tones and notes toward the lower end of the instrument are flat. Low E in particular is incredibly problematic: if I push the neck in enough to bring the throat tones up, the low E is still very flat (-20 cents), while low Eb will be in tune (according to a tuner at 440 Hz). That's not accounting for the fact that notes in the mid-body are now incredibly sharp.

My setup is a Fobes Nova mouthpiece with Legere 3.0 reed. What specifically is most likely to contribute to the notes not having consistent tuning across the instrument? Is it the synthetic reed? Is it just a tendency of the instrument? Is it something worth having a repair tech look at?

Reply To Message

Avail. Forums | Threaded View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

The Clarinet Pages

For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.