 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Steve
Date: 2002-08-13 01:25
I play a used Yamaha 34 that's about 25-30 years old. (I wish I could find a link on the Web that matches dates of manufacture to serial numbers for this brand.) Whenever I tune to a concert Bb, I sound sharp, so I pull out the barrel joint about 1/8 of an inch. Otherwise, I must really relax my embouchure.
This works fine for notes that include closing holes in the lower joint. For notes that use only the upper joint or those in the altissimo range, I'm still quite sharp. The only way to improve it seems to be to relax my embouchure in that range. Pulling out the lower joint makes notes using that joint sound flat.
Am I playing with an overly tight embouchure, not tuning properly, or is this a symptom of a "worn-out" horn? Maybe something else?
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Author: charles
Date: 2002-08-13 01:48
Curious, how old is your current "setup". As in reed, had the mouthpiece a long time? Is it a good mouthpiece, meaning to you not to everyone else, like it doesnt give too much resistance, good sound. Also have you ever considered just purchasing a little longer barrel? if your on a 660 maybe get a 662? (lenght sizes may be off I get a little confused sometimes), just some suggestions to make sure you dont throw out a playable horn before you check the less expensive options.
Charles Munden
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Author: Burt
Date: 2002-08-13 03:50
Steve, a clarinet should not wear out. The pads may wear out and the corks may fall off, but that should not create the problem you describe. Ditto for a crack in the wood. I don't know anything specific to the Yamaha. I guess it's possible that this model should have a longer barrel.
Pulling out at the barrel should have more effect on notes with some of the holes in the upper joint open than with all of them closed. Pulling the barrel out 1/8" (~3 millimeters) should make the notes of the upper joint very FLAT.
On my R13 (est 1956), a 1mm longer register key helped reduce the sharpness of A,B,C above the staff.
You may be playing with an overly tight embochure.
Hope this helps...
Burt
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-08-13 04:16
Burt said: "...a clarinet should not wear out..."
An important note to all bulletin board participants:
The previous statement was <b><font color="red">NOT</font></b> a cue to begin a thread on clarinet "blow out."
Your cooperation is much appreciated.
Have a nice day...GBK
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Author: Todd
Date: 2002-08-13 06:01
Maybe a longer barrel would help. Also, I pull between the mouthpiece and barrel to flatten the throat tones and ABC above the register. I know there are some people that frown on this, including my teacher, but it works for me.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-08-13 07:25
Sounds to me like the action on your low E/B is set too high. This may have occured with age, corks might have fallen off or worn any number of things. You might have a leaky tenon also. You should also bear in mind that the 30 series Yamaha is only one or two models away from the student model and 25 to 30 years might be a good age to let the instrument retire gracefully and lash out on a new one. I recently got a 458/20 Yamaha Oehler comparable to a 40 series Boehm for 1100 euro's a month or so ago. They only last me a couple of years.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-08-13 12:13
Are you playing in a very warm environment? Bore air temperature affects clarinets a lot.
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Author: David Dow
Date: 2002-08-13 13:04
After many years of teaching I sometimes think it is better to go with even a 1.mm longer barrel than go with the trauma of working on a new mouthpiece.
I also think a thorough examination of your playing habits should be done to maybe correct pitch problens. Are you taking enough of the mouthpiece in your mouth? Is your reed correctly matched to the facing you use? etc.etc. All of these are things that really should figure into what and where your playing is at.
A note on the Oehler's is they are generally made at higher pitch-- so if you expect to play at 440 you should specifically find one made at that pitch or modify it with a longer barrel.Also don't expect an american bored mouthpiece to work on these, go with what the manufacturer recommends or purchase a Vandoren Deutchland mouthpiece specifically decined for that type of instrument specification.
I also remember hearing on a recent article a player who was dissapointed with Wurlitzer's, but, that becuase he was used to his Boehm set up he didn't buy. frankly alot of players need more than a session with an instrument to readjust their ears and sound production to the way these instrument repond and play.
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Author: Hank
Date: 2002-08-13 13:07
Gordon is right on with the temperature issue.
During the winter (November to March here in the upper US for all you folks down-under), the pitch of my local community band really gets high after about 1/2 hour of warm bodies in a very warm, dry room. Using my tuner, I can see 15 to 20 cents sharper.
HRL
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Author: Steve
Date: 2002-08-14 17:43
Thanks for all of the advice. If it would help anyone else to diagnose my problem, I use the following:
1. Vandoren B45 mouthpiece
2. Rovner ligature
3. Fibracell medium-strength reed
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