 The Ethnic Clarinet
|
Author: kintes
Date: 2007-03-12 16:20
Hi guys, when buying a clarinet how do we know they are low or high pitced? Is there anything in the apperance showing that? On some websites there are clarinets in the same key (Bb for example), looking exactly the same but one is low one is high pitched. How do we know? thanks.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: modernicus
Date: 2008-02-15 12:45
You are speaking of very old clarinets, right? I had the impression that any high pitch instruments hadn't been manufactured for about 80 years now, but I can't speak for anywhere other than the U.S.. As I recently learned, a high pitch Bb clarinet seems to be significantly shorter than a low pitch Bb clarinet. I purchased an incomplete 19th century French "Albert/simple system" clarinet and it turned out the bell and two joints (the only parts I have) are substantially shorter than a modern LP Boehm clarinet, even though it is marked "B", likely making it a high pitch Bb instrument. If both you and the seller are unsure about HP/LP instrument specifications, and the clarinet is unmarked, without playing it, you are likely taking a risk buying such an instrument if you are trying to avoid buying a HP clarinet, which I assume you are.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kalakos
Date: 2008-02-16 20:56
You can tell by the length of the clarinet if it's High or Low pitch. I believe the Bb low pitch clarinets are about 23 1/2 inches long. Also, a visual clue is the longest key on the left side (left hand little finger, low E). If it is VERY close to the end of the lower joint (close to the bell joint), is is probably a high pitch clarinet. If you need a picture to visualize, I can send you one. In many years of looking at these, I've noticed that because the High pitch Bb's are shorter, that space between the lowest key pad and the bell joint is very small. I still own two Buffet High pitches and they also are just like I described.
Good luck.
John
Kalakos
Kalakos Music
http://www.TAdelphia.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: peter.jaques
Date: 2008-04-22 23:45
Can anyone tell me *what* is high pitch? I.e. what was the tuning reference, as opposed to 440Hz for low pitch?
I have a 1904 Buffet Albert system in lovely shape, but missing a barrel & bell, and I want to figure out what pitch to aim for when replacing those parts.
~peter
Director, clarinetist, trumpeter ~ Oakland, California
Brass Menazeri Balkan Brass Band ~ www.brassmenazeri.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2008-04-22 23:54
peter.jaques wrote:
> Can anyone tell me *what* is high pitch? I.e. what was the
> tuning reference, as opposed to 440Hz for low pitch?
A= 455
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
