 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill Fogle
Date: 2001-12-07 14:10
Clarion high C ("C3" according to the woodwind fingering guide on Sneezy) on my 1986 Buffet R-13 (#2864xx) has not played in tune since I've owned the clarinet. Quite honestly, I do not know for certain whether the tone emitted is flat or sharp, only that it is always "off." With time, I have learned to correct the tone by adding the lowest side trill key, but half the time this <b>over</b>compensates and makes the tone "wild," depending on the set-up and reed being used that day. Generally, I use a 66mm Chadash barrel when I play my R-13. And, yes, I have cleaned the register vent!
The side trill key seems to both "clarify" the C and raise its pitch, so that I feel the note tunes better with the rest of my scale. I have checked the note with a tuner and have had varying readings (confession: I don't really "do" tuners---I just listen critically when I play). The B natural below is OK, and the C# is pretty good. The C3 as it comes through on my Selmer Series 9, my 25000 and 98000 series Buffets, and even my humble Penzel-Mueller "Brilliante," is fine.
I'd love to hear some ideas. I always thought the upper clarion/lower altissimo on Buffet R-13s was supposed to be <b>sharp</b>. If I were at a cocktail party where there a lot of clarinet technicians and NABIRT types milling about, I'd say the note did not seem "properly vented."
--Bill.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-12-07 14:58
I sounds like you are confusing pitch with tone quality. Using a tuning meter is highly recommended to augment the "by the ear" method and will give you accurate pitch information that should be utilized in your practice and performance sessions. The quality of notes--suggested by your words, "clarify, brilliante and wild"--is a traditional problem with all clarinets, and in particular, with Buffets around the B and C that you are referring too. Too help even the qualities of these sounds, try using a custom barrel, such as the Springer (if you can find one) or the new Chadash, which are specifically designed for newer Buffets and are excellant. A Greg Smith "Kaspar" style mouthpiece would also help solve your concerns, but nothing will be of use if you do continue to disregard the advice offered by your tuning meter and try to go it by "ear" alone. "Cooperative Tuning" (listening) is, of course, essential in any ensemble, but working with a tuning meter and learning the pitch tendencies of your own clarinet (they are all somewhat different, btw), will give you the confidence and the "edge" that we all need in order to play "in tune" with our fellow musicians (no matter how "out of tune" they sometimes seem to be--lol) Good Clarineting!!!!!!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-12-07 17:57
Please use the nomenclature presented <b>HERE</b> when referring to note number. According to OUR nomenclature (right up there on the top of the page), C3 would be an octave below middle C. That diagram has been put there to get rid of confusion due to so many different systems, and is a generally acceptable one for any instrument.
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Author: Bill Fogle
Date: 2001-12-07 20:12
Mark,
An honest mistake. The web site is:
www.wfg.sneezy.org
I guess I thought it was affiliated with <b>YOU</b>.
I've been around since the early 90s. It doesn't any easier to post here, Mark. Think about it.
--Bill Fogle.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-12-08 00:26
The wfg site is hosted here as a public service, but I have nothing to do wioth the content.
There are many standards for the note numbering. The one I have here is to keep the confusion out of the the whole thing.
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