 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Anonymous
Date: 2001-09-05 16:01
I remember reading in an article by Tom Ridenour(guy who works in the design of the Leblanc clarinets) that pulling the bell about a millemeter is supposed to improve the resonance of the instrument. I haven't really noticed any difference, except I can tune my B that way. Has anyone else tried this, and if so, what do you think?
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Author: william
Date: 2001-09-05 16:19
Ben Armato, in his book, "Perfecta Reed.....and Beyond," advocates rotating the bell, a few mils. at a time, to find the position that gives optimum resonance to the sound of the entire clarinet. This process he calls "tuning the bell" and is most effective for the long B/E. So, rotating the bell and finding the "sweet" position will help improve the sound of the B, pulling it will help lower the pitch. Ben's book also contains many other interesting info on reed and mouthpiece adjustment. Good recommended reading material--after all, performance favors the prepared (and informed) mind. Good clarineting!!!!!!
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Author: irene
Date: 2001-09-05 20:46
A year ago I visited Buffet Crampon in France. There they told us about the testing of the clarinets before they are sold. They also rotate the bell and try to find the best position to play. This is marked on the clarinet with the `Buffet sign`. They also gave us the advice to try this at home with our own clarinets because it is of course very personal. I found out that my b flat clarinet plays a little bit better when I turned the bell a couple of centimeters. So perhaps it is an idea to try for you as well.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2001-09-06 07:12
Amen! One can rotate the bell for best sound and then put a dot of black nail polish on the ring to mark the position. I have done this on all my clarinets plus a lot of others. The barrel can also be rotated to find the best position for sound. When trying barrels, they can be rotated for best sound. Otherwise, one may not pick the best barrel.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-09-06 09:07
I'm not rubbishing the idea of rotation, but to me it sounds just so far fetched that this would have significance. Could it be 99% psychological belief?
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Author: William
Date: 2001-09-06 16:44
I don't think so, except that for all of the equipement and set-ups I go through, my wife and daughter say I stil sound the same (I only hope they mean "good"). For my own ears, the bell rotation seems to have the most dramatic effect--especially on the "stuffy" long B/E. The barrel position seems a bit less critical, but slight changes will have a subtile effect on the entire range of the clarinet. Good Clarineting!!!!!!
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-09-07 13:40
I just hardly believe I am reading this!
Have you tried sticking a tiny spot of blue-tack on the barrel in precisely the right spot - perhaps one inside and one outside for 'dynamic' balancing of the sound?
(Just joking, but at least it keeps me as sane as your wife and daughter.) 
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2001-09-08 02:12
Sometimes weird ideas work simply b/c of psychology, I guess.
Like my peroxide, canola oil, and water treatments? Do those really do ANYTHING??
The barrel makes a big difference, but not if I twist it too much. I haven't tried the bell.
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