 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-03-05 02:30
Attachment: P1010032.JPG (267k)
See attachment
Today I was asked to shorten the (already shortened) barrel for a Howarth S3 Bb clarinet to a specific length by its owner. The standard length barrel for them being 66mm. Let's just say at this length, it's going to cause a lot more problems than it's going to cure.
I also reshaped the outside so the socket rings didn't resemble those as seen on a Selmer Recital Eb clarinet.
https://www.selmer.fr/media/image/38/82/0a2c2fca49f31960884083c18782.png
See if you can guess what length it is.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2023-03-05 03:43)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-03-05 03:57
It looks like the 52mm barrel i have for my Yamaha CSGs. Their shortest manufacturer's length is just under 54mm.
..............Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2023-03-05 15:43)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-03-05 04:01
Paul Aviles: 52mm
Close. Bear in mind the CSG has a long top joint/short barrel based on German/Oehler system proportions, whereas a Howarth clarinet has the standard Boehm system proportions.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2023-03-05 04:09)
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2023-03-05 12:38
I'll go for 58. Is this player trialling for the Berlin Phil? I can't imagine how sharp this is going to make things.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-03-05 17:39
John Peacock: 58mm
That's going in the opposite direction.
I had to make a 58mm barrel for my Yamaha Oehler system as I found the 56mm and 54mm stock ones too short.
Just so you know, his set-up is 1.5 Rico Royal reeds, Vandoren "13" series B45 with Optimum ligature. He also plays with a very wide vibrato.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2023-03-05 18:00)
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Author: Ed
Date: 2023-03-05 17:47
I can't imagine that it will be possible to play a scale that will be remotely in tune with itself
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-03-05 17:59
Abso-bloody-lutely! The entire scale has gone out the window - I tried it with a tuner and low G was a semitone sharp and open G was nearly a whole tone sharp.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: smokindok
Date: 2023-03-05 20:12
The height to width ratio is hard to estimate from the photo, but looks like it approaches 5:3, which if correct would make that barrel something like 49mm?!
John
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-03-05 20:21
Attachment: P1010033.JPG (609k)
John: 49mm
SPOT ON!
See attachment when compared to a 67mm barrel. It's actually shorter than the barrel I use on my C clarinet!
The owner has just collected it and with his playing style of having such a wide vibrato and loose embouchure, somehow it averages out being in tune! When I tried it, it was over a semitone sharp in the RH notes and nearly a whole tone sharp in the throat notes.
Hence the reason I was asking about HP Boehm systems in another thread as they'll have been built to scale rather than a bad compromise.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2023-03-05 20:26)
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Author: smokindok
Date: 2023-03-05 20:41
:-) You can contact me by email on where to send my prize, Chris.
When you described the set up and playing style, I figured the fellow would probably be able to make it work. If the barrel is short enough to bring his flattest notes up to pitch, his ability to lip everything else down, and cover it all with a wide vibrato will likely keep him happy. I played in a big band a long time ago with a lead alto player who had an impossibly shortened barrel on his clarinet. He made it work.
Always enjoy seeing your work, Chris, and hearing the stories that go along.
John
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2023-03-07 09:14
There is a specific style that is very common here playing klezmer with an extremely loose embouchure. These players often need very short barrels. Probably not as short as that, but maybe around 55mm to 62mm for an original 66mm barrel. They play much more in tune that way than with the original length.
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2023-03-07 12:47
I'm really happy for your customer that you were willing to do that for him without judgement. I love it that clarinets can be adjusted to fit people, rather than having to change people to accommodate the instrument.
Adult learner, Grade 3
Equipment: Yamaha Custom CX Bb, Fobes 10K CF mp,
Legere Bb clarinet European Cut #2.5, Vandoren Optimum German Lig.
Post Edited (2023-03-07 12:56)
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Author: Ed
Date: 2023-03-09 15:50
49mm!
Quote:
See attachment when compared to a 67mm barrel. It's actually shorter than the barrel I use on my C clarinet!
The owner has just collected it and with his playing style of having such a wide vibrato and loose embouchure, somehow it averages out being in tune!
When I had an Eb clarinet, my barrel was 43mm. Since the instrument is not in tune with itself, all I can imagine is that he is using a facing with enough flexibility to lip up and down a lot.
I guess all that matters is if it works. Better that option than modifying the instrument itself.
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