 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-01-09 15:25
Will reaming out the bottom joint bore where it's flared (extending the flared section further up the bore, or reaming out the flared section into a straight conical bore) improve the pitch of the lower notes on my full Boehms?
I'm just considering the options - reaming the bore can be done easily with the right reamers, or it's a case of fitting a system of automatic vent keys (operated by a RH thumb key to open two vents on the bottom joint for low F and E, and one on the bell for low Eb) as seen on Oehler systems to improve the flat low notes and the B above the break.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-01-09 15:45
Chris, what exactly is the pitch problem you're trying to correct? If it's the very common one of the 'long' chalumeau E and F being quite flat, an easier fix is drilling a 'resonance' vent hole in the bell, no need for any associated key mechanism -- it raises the low E/F by about 10-15 cents, and only raises the corresponding upper twelfths (the 'long' clarion B/C) by about 5 cents. I have to do this frequently with certain brands, e.g. Boosey & Hawkes clarinets; and many other (older) clarinets also seem to benefit from this simple modification.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-01-09 17:31
It's on my full Boehms - the low F, E and the Eb are flat as well as the B (and Bb) over the break.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-01-10 15:34
David wrote: "Chris, I have an idea, please contact me off-line."
Would you please let us know this idea that will help the pitch of those notes? I know it would make me a happy person to have a low E and F that is even close to pitch.
I have tried the hole in the bell idea; for me it just makes the E better and the B high. I have also tried the following experements- taking off the bell, taking off the E key, trying different bells with different tapers. Even when I took the E key off, there was almost no change in the flatness of the low F. Taking off the bell also had almost no change to the F.
Please let us in on it if you have an idea,
-S
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-01-10 16:08
My idea was simply to propose sending (gratis) Chris a bell with a hole already drilled, for him to try on his clarinet to see if it fixes the problem. No mystery at all, I just didn't feel it was proper to make it a public transaction -- but since you insist on full disclosure, there you have it!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
