 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: GetsSwabStuckInClarinetTooMuch
Date: 2001-10-01 14:47
Okay, maybe I am an idiot and don't know how to tune my clarinet, but I am finding that once I start to go sharp, I just keep going sharper and sharper. I usually tune myself, by pulling at the barrel, middle joint, and bell, but can't seem to get the pitch low enough to what the band is tuning to. The barrel and middle joint are both extended far enough for me to see the cork tenons. I play an R-13, and use the barrel that came with the instrument. Do I need a longer barrel, or is there something else I might be doing that is causing the excessive sharpness?
Thanks, and yes I get my swab stuck in my instrument all the time. 
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Author: Ed
Date: 2001-10-01 16:12
Have you tried just using an A clarinet instead? (Just a joke) Work with a tuner a bit to see where the pitch of your instrument is with everything pushed in. You may be playing on a mouthpiece that is sharp and causing you to begin higher than what is workable. You might be pinching a bit as well. make sure your reed/mouthpiece set up is not causing you to bite. Play on a set up where you can play with a firm embouchure and get the reed to respond without biting. You might try some other equipment, although I often feel that you don't want to get to where it is always the equipment's fault. Do you have a teacher who can help? Good Luck.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-10-01 16:34
Hand your clarinet to one of your friends - minus your mouthpiece. Let them try it with their mouthpiece and see what happens with intonation. From there you should have more information about where the problem is.
Be a bit careful if you do this. You are changing two variables - the mouthpiece and the player. If you aren't squeemish, try changing just one. Better science . . . poorer hygiene.
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Author: Bob T
Date: 2001-10-01 18:43
Do you have a matched pair of clarinets ? Check the serial numbers on each joint. You may have swapped them inadvertently.
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Author: RonD
Date: 2001-10-01 18:45
To solve your swab problem take a pair of sissors and cut off about 1 inch of material from the side. If that wont work keep cuting until it will pass through without binding. The worst thing that can happen is that you will evantually end up buying a new swab.
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Author: ~ jerry
Date: 2001-10-01 23:50
"The worst thing that can happen is that you will evantually end up buying a new swab."
I built a table once and I kept trimming the legs to get the table top level, till the table top was on the floor. UREKA!! the top is now level (at least it is parallel with the floor).
To solve the hygiene problem, just use a little soap and mildly warm water.
Sounds like having another test play the horn, is the quickest way to get to the tuning issue.
~ jerry
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Author: KevinS
Date: 2001-10-02 01:29
I would second the recommendation to look at the mouthpiece. I was always sharp until I tried and bought a new mouthpiece. By trying several sitting in front of a tuner, it was obvious that the mouthpiece can REALLY make a big difference in intonation.
Good Luck,
Kevin
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