 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Erin
Date: 2002-09-25 16:29
I am trying out a buffet R-13 e-flat & am wondering about a few notes--high B natural and high C natural are really, really sharp--is this pretty standard? The other notes sit pretty well on.
I don't have the right mouthpiece/reed combo yet, waiting on 2 Pyne's and a Hite to try out, right now I am using a Vandoren B 44 (gag).
Any suggestions or warnings about this model of horn?
Thanks,
eb
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Author: William
Date: 2002-09-25 18:03
I play on a pro level Yamaha and its high B, C and D are fairly right on. The higher F# and G were tending to be quite flat until I switched from an expensive Bay custom mpc to an old stock Selmer HS**. Now my high notes speak easily and are in tune. I have never played an R13 effer, but a friend of mine (who used to sub in the NY Phil) recommends the pro line Selmers over the Buffets because of their "mellower" sound. I have played and like--for the sound--the LeBlanc effers as well. Just my two (or three) cents worth.....
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Author: nzdonald
Date: 2002-09-25 20:27
i've found the Yamaha effers to have the best intonation,
it's not unusual for the high b/c to be sharp on any clarinet, esp an effer- "as i understand it" a larger bore mouthpiece/barrel combination will improve the altissimo but make the b/c slightly worse (with the side effect of a slightly mellower sound). So assume a smaller bore barrel/mouthpiece will make the alt notes slightly flatter but improve the b/c.... i think.
... while i don't like the B44 that much, i've heard of very good players using this mouthpiece so your "gag" is a bit over the top, eh? One adjustment you can do to flatten the high b/c (once you own the horn) is to set the register key so that it has very little venting when open. You'd be suprised how close you can set it and still get an ok and in tune throat B flat (esp if you add 3l, 3r + f/c key). You'll find that playing effer you get to play a lot more high b/c than exposed solo throat B flats anyway, so it's more useful to have the high notes in tune.
have fun
try a string ligature- this is my personal effer ligature, helps me get "ring" without "edge" + makes it easier to blend when i need to.
donald
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Author: d dow
Date: 2002-09-26 01:38
The B44 is not such a bad piece, and my experience with the Eb is that these notes in the upper clarion are quite high--- but, also very receptive to embouchure and voicng the sound with the air column.
I would also add that you should look at the issues Donald states above and venting is a good idea for these particular notes...also I have played a bit on the B40 and like this quite a bit.
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2002-09-26 09:30
Many Eb instruments have this "problem". I tried once one which had perfect high b/c. However the corrosponding e/f (12th lower) were much too low.
Mpc and barrel makes a lot of difference.
I played several years on a Selmer Paris (not the Recital) which did not have this problem due to a small-bore barrel. It has perfect 12ths. When I put a "big-bore" barrel on it the problem showed up also.
However a "small-bore" barrel gives also a small sound.
Now playing on a Selmer Bundy Resonite which has a big tone. If I put a B44 on it the pitch esp. in the high b/c region is far too high. With my Zinner mpc pitch is much better and easier to control. So the B44 seems to be a "difficult" mpc.
Another Eb "problem" which I found more difficult is the region above high d. I wonder, are there really instruments/mpc combinations that gives good pitch here without "biting" too much?
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-09-26 13:07
None of them play in tune unless you play a lot and play with other instruments. Like the piccolo you need to learn to sit on the top. Air flow is the key, dont blow to hard you will be heard no matter what. Try a little vibrato it helps you focus the centre of the sound.
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Author: Karen
Date: 2002-09-27 03:24
If you're trying Ebs to purchase, you'll definitely want to try a Yamaha first. I played Eb all through college, and my biggest intonation problem was that the piccolo player was often sharp
Also, I use a Hite mouthpiece. Once I found the Yamaha/Hite combination I've never even wanted to try anything else. Good Luck!
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Author: cjb
Date: 2002-09-27 16:23
Try the Selmer/LeBlancs - I was searching for an Eb about a year ago to upgrade my Noblet. I found I had real problems with the intonation of the upper clarion on all the Buffets I tried (RC/R13) and found the tone of the Yamaha a little dissapointing. I ended up with a Selmer, thought it had a remarkably rich tone.
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Author: ALARIC
Date: 2002-10-04 06:49
I practiced an Eb 10 hours a day (at least) without missing a day for a year and a half, and that solved the problem.
If you are distressed about an intonation challenge you might consider not playing an Eb.
Some people who want to dabble with Eb like the Yamaha, but I won't touch one. I'd prefer a Noblet, a Buffet, a LeBlanc, and they are easy to carry around and practice, and practice is the most important thing. Someone who can't deal with an Eb wouldn't like my Selmer 'Centered Tone' but I believe that it's the best Eb clarinet ever made.
Of course the mouthpiece and the barrel can make a difference, but what is often overlooked is the ligature and the reed. I liked the Kaspar mouthpiece, but I broke it and I usually use a Mitchell Lurie Crystal, or an old Selmer. I would also recommend a Fobes mouthpiece (and I'd like to find one myself). The BG Revelation ligature impressed me, and for reeds that are readily available I strongly recommend a Vandoren 'White Master' (you have to chop off a quarter inch or so because it is the length of a Bb reed, and the width of an Eb). I'm confident that you will find this the best reed for Eb--It may make a big difference for you. I use something else but you won't find it.
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