 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Thomas Lankford
Date: 2002-01-30 22:00
I have recently started to play again after many (many) years and have joined a local concert band. When using the tuner I find that I am always sharp. Pulling the barrel out about 3/8" helps. Why is the horn (or me) so sharp? It is an older LeBlanc Classic but in good shape. Am I using the wrong mouthpiece? Reed? (M Lurie premium, #3), is my embouchure not strong enough? I am a bit confused and would appreciate the wisdom of those of you who are much better at this than I am.
Thanks.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2002-01-30 22:19
Are you sure the barrel you are using is original to the clarinet? How many millimeters long is it? Perhaps someone with an older Classic could compare lengths and give some feedback. What kind of mouthpiece are you using?
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-01-30 22:58
Thomas -
If you have to pull out 3/8", something is wrong. If your clarinet is, say, 90 years old, it could be at high pitch (A=452), which is almost a quarter step above A=440. If that's what it is, there is no way you can play it in a group.
Stand your clarinet up next to someone else's. Is it the same length? Is the barrel the same length?
Put your mouthpiece on that other clarinet. Are you still way sharp? If you are, you need a new mouthpiece. If you're in tune, the problem is the instrument.
Have the other person play your clarinet with his/her mouthpiece. How is the tuning?
Let us know what you find out.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Thomas
Date: 2002-01-31 00:01
Wow, you all are fast! I believe that the tuner was calibrated, it is a rather large model used by the band, my clarinet also registered sharp on a smaller model belonging to one of my fellow clarinetists. I am pretty sure the barrel is original but would not stake my life on it, it is 63 MM as near as I can tell. ( I do not own a set of calipers, just a ruler). The mouthpeice ia a Woodwind Co. K5M.
The clarinet is the same length as my daughters student. I will try a different mouthpiece the next time at the rehersal hall.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-01-31 01:47
Clarinets are manufactured to play at A=442+ when pushed all the way together and warmed up and it is normal to have to pull the barrel a little to bring the pitch down to A=440. However, most concert bands and symphony orchestras play at a higher pitch level and you need to have that flexibility to tune "up" to whatever their pitch center may be. In some cases, pushed all the way in and playing at A=442+ may be "in tune" with that group. Being in tune with a tuner is not always in tune with the ensemble. As an example, I am told that he Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays at A= 441, so if you were sitting in with them and your barrel pushed all the way in would allow you to tune only to to A=440, warmed up, you would be dreadfully flat and soon "out of a gig." Bottom line--you need not rush out and buy a new barrel that will limit you to 440. Just continue pulling your barrel (after warming up) to sufficiently tune to your concert band pitch center which is probably at least 441+. The flexibility to tune sharp when you have to is desirable. If the idea of having your barrel pulled at all still bothers you, do what many pros do and have two barrels in your case--a short one (64-65 mm) for "sharp" tuning and a longer one (66-67mm) for those A=440 gigs. Good Clarineting!!!!!!!!
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-01-31 02:31
Most repair shops will not charge you to check the instrument out.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-01-31 13:47
63 mm is way too short. This is done sometimes for beginners (who typically play flat due to undeveloped embouchures and breath support) or to compensate for a group situation where the group plays noticeably sharp.
The Leblanc Classic is not an old enough model to have been made at the old High Pitch.
A different mouthpiece could easily bring the pitch down a bit too. The Vandoren brand is a good match to Leblanc clarinets.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-01-31 15:57
I agree w: Dee, Chuck and William, try a 65-66 mm. I checked my LeBlanc-made barrels, only one , my L7 is 64 mm, and its other barrel is 66, the Dyn 2 [same vintage as Classic] was 65, and others Nob & Norm 66-7. I should think that with a much-too-short barrel, you would find that the throat tones would require much "lipping" to be in reasonable tune with the lower clarion notes. Only my "click" barrel, 61-67 mm can reach 63. If you have to "pull" a lot, there will be quite a gap in the smooth bore which may give other problems, usually solved by rings. Don
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Author: Susie
Date: 2002-01-31 17:48
I tried some used R-13's out last week and one came with a 64mm barrel... it was amazing what a difference it made to switch to a 66mm barrel...who woulld've guessed that 2mm can make such a difference! :-)
Susie
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Author: Thomas
Date: 2002-01-31 19:40
I also read that reed, mouthpiece combinations can affect pitch as well. Perhaps I will try a click barrel, are those of you that use them happy with them?
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Author: FT
Date: 2002-01-31 20:14
I used it and I was very happy, my E11 was VERY sharp, with the Clikck Barrel I was able to tune to 440. I would recomend it to anybody(especially for those who play sharp.)
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