The Clarinet BBoard  
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Author: timtin66  
Date:   2005-11-09 13:37 
 So I am going through the internet, and I ran accross this 
 
•	Pulling barrel (then middle joint) = flatter, pushing in = sharper  
•	Barrel length: Shorter and longer barrels are available  
•	Range: Throat tones are sharp on almost every instrument, especially the A and B-flat. Altissimo register = sharp in more experienced players, though young players will often be a little flat when learning these notes.  
•	Embouchure: biting or pinching = sharp, loose = flat  
•	Temperature: cold = flat, hot = sharp  
•	Dynamic level: loud = flat, soft = sharp  
•	Reed strength: soft reed = flat, hard reed = sharp  
•	Angle of entry: held too far out = flat, held too close = sharp  
•	Lay of the mouthpiece: closed = sharp, open = flat  
 
And I thought wouldn't it be great to put together a one-liner cheat sheet for the clarinet that would be helpful to beginners, and such. 
 
So, let's have those one line bits of technical, and other wisdom that you have accumulated.  (Multiple one liners are helpful too... 
 
Tim T. 
 
Timothy Tinnirello
  
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Author: William  
Date:   2005-11-09 13:46 
 Sqweek in tune and discover new notes..............?  (if it sounds good, it is good--OK, I'm outta here)
  
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Author: Neil  
Date:   2005-11-09 22:12 
 A new instrument, barrel, or mouthpiece will result in a better sound. 
Playing out of tune is caused by a bad reed.  
If a professional endorses a particular product, it will make you sound like him.
  
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Author: Gobboboy  
Date:   2005-11-09 22:49 
 sucking with a blown reed will result in a worn out clarinetist...
  
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Author: GBK  
Date:   2005-11-09 23:00 
 The real facts about ligatures: (feel free to print this out and distribute to colleagues) 
 
1. Different ligatures can have an effect on the response and overtones of the reed.  
 
2. Some ligatures will work more efficiently with different mouthpieces. 
 
3. Reeds can be adjusted brighter or darker to work in conjunction with various mouthpiece/ligature combinations. 
 
4. Price has no relation to a ligature's functionality. Great players have used inexpensive stock ligatures, others have used the newest and most expensive generation of ligatures.  
 
5. The ligature cannot be judged in and by itself - it must be tried with your primary mouthpiece and reed preference. Eventually, over time, your innate sound will re-emerge.  
 
6. There is no absolute "right" ligature. Try a few different options. Don't play the ligature roulette game. Settle on one. Spend the time saved on practice 
 
 
 
- and for a little (very little) humor: 
 
 
Top 7 Signs You Have Too Many Ligatures: 
 
7. You only need ligatures beginning with letters "Q" or "Z" to complete your entire collection of the full alphabetical list of all ligatures. 
 
6. You belong to Ligatures Anonymous, but are only half way through their 12 step program. 
 
5. Your computer home page is "EBay - Clarinet - Ligatures"  
 
4. You replace all your ligatures every 3 years due to "ligature blow out". 
 
3. Your homeowner's insurance has a separate rider covering your ligature collection. 
 
2. You have 3 pairs of shoes that are curiously missing their laces.  
 
1. You have Phil Rovner's home phone number on your speed dial...GBK 
 
  
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Author: Connor  
Date:   2005-11-10 03:49 
 Un-explained squeaking could be caused by a youngsters hands accedentaly opening palm keys.. ie, chalemu Eb, C#
  
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Author: John J. Moses  
Date:   2005-11-10 04:32 
 "It's always better to be a little sharp, then play out of tune" 
Red Press, NYC, 1960s 
 
JJM 
Légère Artist 
Clark W. Fobes Artist
  
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Author: GBK  
Date:   2005-11-10 04:40 
 It's important to have a great sound when playing in marching band...GBK
  
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Author: Mike Clarinet  
Date:   2005-11-10 08:13 
 Popular in my band, particularly when some screws up badly: 
 
"Remember, you blow down the narrow end"
  
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Author: Clarinetgirl06  
Date:   2005-11-10 18:59 
 Rotate your reeds (beginners should have AT LEAST 4 in rotation). 
Always audition with a good reed.  
Swab every 20 minutes or at least after every playing session.  
The tip of the tongue and the teeth and the lips.  
If your wooden clarinet is cold, let it come to room temperature before playing it to prevent cracks. 
Clarinets with no cracks for 40+ years can still crack.  
Play as fast as you can play it perfectly. 
The metronome is your best friend.  
Tuning is a continual process.  
 
yeah...... 
 
  
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Author: Don Poulsen  
Date:   2005-11-10 19:02 
 Am I supposed to rotate my reed around the lengthwise or widthwise axis? I have trouble getting it to play when the fat end is toward my mouth. I also have trouble getting it to play when the flat side is up, although I've had a little better luck this way.
  
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Author: Clarinetgirl06  
Date:   2005-11-10 19:58 
 lol, nice sarcasm guys. I think you know what I mean, and if you don't, well..... that's not a good sign and maybe you should use the search engine. 
 
  
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Author: tictactux ★2017 
Date:   2005-11-10 20:05 
 > maybe you should use the search engine. 
 
There's an engine that helps me find my reeds? Cool... 
 
--  
Ben
  
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Author: Bellflare  
Date:   2005-11-12 01:34 
 Take my wife..............Please! 
Oh.......THAT Henny Youngman 
 
Who ARE these people?        Jerry Seinfeld 
 
I like my cigar, too. But sometimes I take it out of my mouth. Groucho Marx 
 
 
 
Post Edited (2005-11-12 01:36)
  
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Author: Alseg  
Date:   2005-11-12 14:28 
 What, no Rodney Dangerfield quotes? 
 
 
I got fixed up with a date. They told me she was a NINE! I went to meet her....she had a Selmer logo tatoo, and no star. 
 
 Hey, I bought a new box of reeds. They were moldy already! (jiggles his shirt collar) I get no respect! 
 
 
Former creator of CUSTOM  CLARINET TUNING BARRELS   by DR. ALLAN SEGAL 
           -Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-     
 
 
                     
                  
  
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Author: Bassie  
Date:   2005-11-14 07:53 
 One of the most powerful sounds is a hundred instruments playing really quietly.
  
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Author: Alseg  
Date:   2005-11-14 13:32 
 Glad you qualified that one, Blummy. 
 
 
Former creator of CUSTOM  CLARINET TUNING BARRELS   by DR. ALLAN SEGAL 
           -Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-     
 
 
                     
                  
  
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Author: Fred  
Date:   2005-11-14 13:50 
 Take it up an octave and leave it out . . . 
 
BTW, love that Groucho comment . . . especially in its original context!
  
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