 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Robert Gifford
Date: 2001-09-12 03:42
For some reason I have a problem with always being flat. I have a Buffet R-13 Vintage, and I use a Pomarico Crystal Sapphire Mellow. I'm all the way pushed in but I still am flat. Any advice?
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Author: KevinS
Date: 2001-09-12 13:33
Try a new, shorter barrel. It's amazing what the right mouthpiece/barrel combination will do for intonation!
Good luck,
Kevin
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Author: William
Date: 2001-09-12 16:57
Also, make certain that your clarinet is thoroughly warmed up before testing intonation--and then, use a tuner. Any clarinet, fresh out of the case (cold), will play flat at first. That is why you always see experianced musicians (wind players) "warming up" before they play concerts. If this does not bring you "up to pitch," then you may need a shorter barrel. Another thought--and then I will let others type in--is that if you are not curretly "in shape" and your embouchure is a bit "flabby" from not practicing regularily, then you need to strengthen your muscles by playing more. This will also bring the pitch of your clarinet up as your embouchure gains more strength. This can happen to "experianced" pros as well, during the time of "inactivity" between concert series. James Gallway has stated, in interviews, that he practicies 365 days of the year to stay in shape. Al Golladoro practicies three hours every day (at 90+ yrs,) "just to keep what he has got." I once heard Adolph Herseth (legendary principal trumpet with the Chicago Symphony) say, during a seminar stop (at our local University) on the way back from "fishing up North" that he was suffering from "Vacation Chops." Enough said--Good Clarineting!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (arn't string players and percussionists kind of lucky, in a way????)
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Author: donald nicholls
Date: 2001-09-15 14:01
if you're trying really hard to sound "mellow" (or "dark")... and perhaps trying to make a "fat" sound, your intonation may be lower if you play with a low tounge position (compare saying "duh" to "chew"). "Duh"= Low tounge position = flat pitch and no centre in the sound.
This is not an old wives tale- a low air speed will flatten your pitch, and both your tounge and your throat (in addition to your jaw) effect the size of the gap you're squeazing the air through (and thus the speed). Sounds too technical? Just say "chew" or "choose" or "chicago" while holding your embrochure. Your tounging will get better too... (of course, this might not be your problem at all.....)
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