 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sd
Date: 2001-10-20 21:26
I'm having tuning problems in general. As a rule, I play sharp. I always have to pull my barrel out pretty far to be in tune with other players, whether I'm in a band, orchestra or chamber music setting. I thought my problem was my mouthpiece (Vandoren 5RV-lyre) because when I played on either my plastic clarinet for parades or my Buffet for other things, I had to pull out about the same amount. Recently, I tried a few new mouthpieces. I found that I didn't have to pull out as much BUT while I was in tune from 3rd line B up to the altissimo register, my throat tones were very sharp (as was the case before), my lowest notes, from about A down, were flat! I was oh so confused. My teacher has told me that those notes are usually sharp, and I should pull out my bell. (I could always tell these notes were not right for me, but I thought it was because I pulled out my barrel too much. I also never knew if they were sharp or flat.)
Part two: I performed a thorough inspection of my clarinet, looking for loose pads, cracks, whatever. No cracks, no loose pads. I did however find a sort of gouge in the top joint of my clarinet. I never thought anything of it. It goes from the bottom of the joint, across the bottom and middle tone holes, and ends just before the top one. It looks like the previous owner of the clarinet got the swab stuck and then yanked it all the way through to get it out.
Any suggestions? Different mouthpieces, different barrels, different ligatures (I have a Bay medium), embouchure techniques, practice techniques? I'm really befuddled!
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-10-21 01:12
If I were in your place, sd, I wouldn't go investing in barrels, mouthpieces and ligatures etc. Your mpc setup seems okay - sooo...
I seriously doubt that bad pads or cracks would be responsible for the problem you describe. If there's a noticable (I mean, big) gouge in the upper joint, it might be enough to throw the intonation out a little. A big gouge would have nearly the same effect as enlarging the bore there, making that part go sharp. A 'non-standard' mouthpiece would (possibly) intensify the problem but yours isn't a non-standard mpc. Have you tried a different horn? Maybe you could borrow one for a while, see if that makes a difference. If so, your gouged horn may be a 'lemon' now. A repair tech could probably tell in a few moments what the problem is (at no charge, of course). Have you had it checked?
- ron b -
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Author: Joris
Date: 2001-10-21 19:43
Enlarging the bore wile keeping everything else the same, makes the tuning go down, not up.
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Author: sd
Date: 2001-10-21 23:50
Thanks for the input! I would like to try some other horns, but not many places that I know of around here (SE Mass and RI) carry good ones in stock. If anyone does know of any, let me know! As for getting it checked out, my repair technician hasn't said anything yet. I need to bring my horn in for a check-up soon anyway, so I'll be sure to mention it to him. Unfortunately the big problem, if the horn is a lemon, I can't afford a new one right now.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-10-22 17:30
Joris -
Not meaning to be difficult but anyone can try this simple experiment: a piece of string down the bore (attach one end held between barrel and top joint or barrel and mpc). The string essentially Reduces the bore size, making the horn play Flat. Remove the string, enlarging the bore, and the pitch will be raised.
I've done the string thing; it works as described. I've never intentionally gouged a bore to fine out, but I *presume* it would have a similar effect.
- ron b -
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Author: Joris
Date: 2001-10-23 11:02
Ron-
I re-did some measurements. Excuse me for stating exactly the wrong thing. If a large length of the bore is given a smaller diameter the frequency goes down, indeed making it flat. I will try this afternoon what happens with a local `en-small-ment'
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Author: sd
Date: 2001-10-24 00:16
I took my clarinet to be looked at today. The repair guy didn't say too much. He found a small leak, and said he could minutely change key heights to see if that made a difference. I think I'm just going to have to try some other clarinets to know for sure. Thanks again for all your help!
Steven
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