 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Asain
Date: 2007-07-29 05:24
Hello. I've noticed that I'm almost always sharp when playing. I have to pull out my barrel quite a bit before I'm even close to being in tune. My tone and everything else is fine, but I'm not sure why I'm this sharp. I play on a Leblanc Cadenza with a Vandoren 5RV Lyre mouthpiece with Vandoren 56 RL size 3 reeds.
I've also recently discovered that different Vandoren mouthpieces tune differently. I tune at A440 pitch. Could my mouthpiece be the reason why I'm sharp?
Thanks.
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Author: sherman
Date: 2007-07-29 05:58
Yes, the mouthpiece can be reason for your pitch being sharp, The Van Doren M13 mouthpiece should helpto bring your pitch down.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-29 11:24
Vandoren do a 5RV Lyre in the 13 series, so it shouldn't feel too different from your standard 5RV Lyre. I was playing sharp with my standard 5RV Lyre and went to a 13 series M15 which made me work to get the pitch up. But I shortened this mouthpiece by just over 1mm and now I'm finding it a tad sharp - by around 1mm!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: shmeon
Date: 2007-07-29 13:51
I tend to play on the sharp side also. I help this I got a longer barrel.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-29 17:33
I've got some spacers to fit between the barrel and top joint - 1mm, 1.5mm and 2mm which not only keeps the barrel in place, it fills in the void between the top of the tenon and the base of the socket making the bore diameter more continuous.
And a 68mm barrel so I don't need to pull out.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ginny
Date: 2007-07-29 17:58
I play sharp because I hear sharp, regardless of the barrel. If I am with a fixed pitch instrument I will find them. Sometimes I have to pull out generally I just need to be sure I'm not biting.
I just wonder why I prefer the sharper pitch.
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Author: kev182
Date: 2007-07-30 07:01
I have the same problem... I learned clarinet in Romania where they play high... I had a 442 mouthpiece and a 64mm barrel. Coming to the states with a 13 series and a 66MM I still find myself playing on the sharper side because I also hear sharp =(
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2007-07-30 12:42
Ahhh...You all just need to find yourself an accordionist to play with! 
They're usually tuned at around 444 or so and because I've been playing with the same one for about 8 years I usually hear everything sharp too!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-30 20:00
Right, I just did a rehearsal using my 68mm barrel this time, and I was STILL sharp.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2007-07-30 20:37
While the mouthpiece and barrel length certainly have an influence on pitch, another source of pitch issues lie within the player. There are issue with how one hears the pitch, as discussed above, and also how one produces tone on the clarinet. Many times playing sharp has to do with biting the mouthpiece or not properly supporting the tone - the more air you put through the horn or the looser the embouchure, the pitch will go flatter.
Of course, if the player is secure that they aren't the source of the pitch issues, then investigating their mouthpiece or barrel is the next step. In response to the OP, it is very possible that the non-series 13 Mouthpiece is the source of your problem. Switching to a series 13 5RV Lyre may help your overall pitch to drop as it is made to tune to 440.
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Author: Asain
Date: 2007-07-31 00:18
How do I know if my mouthpiece is series 13 or not? Is there any indication?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-31 11:19
It should have '13' inside a oval printed in gold near the tenon shoulder. I think they also have '13' stamped into the ebonite so you can still tell even if the gold print has worn off.
If it don't say 13, it ain't 13.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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