 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: martinw
Date: 2008-10-28 21:50
Our band leader has pulled me up for playing flat. The problem I have is that the barrel was already pushed in all the way. I tried adjusting embouchure with out success. So I'm thinking of getting a shorter barrel for my Yamaha YCL650S (Grenadilla wood) clarinet which has a 65mm barrell. Can anyone suggest a compatible shorter barrel?
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2008-10-28 21:58
You need to measure the degree of flatness with a tuner, and measure along the entire range of the instrument. This will help determine how short a barrel you need.....Also you should state the mouthpiece you are using, since its bore might effect tuning.
Perhaps place your mouthpiece on a friends' horn and recheck the tuning.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-10-29 01:09
Good suggestion from Allan. It is possible it's the mouthpiece but unless it's a real cheap student MP that's probably not the problem, but one can never tell unless you make a comparison. You probably need a 64mm but every brand will play slightly different. If you can try a few different brands you might find what you need. Most of the mail order stores will send you 3-4 on approval. It could also be the way you voice the clarinet. Having your tongue too low in back by your molars will often result in playing flat but it depends on how low it is. Nothing does the same for everyone but that's a common problem. Also, using too soft a reed can often cause a person to play flat. You should have someone else play your clarinet with their set up and than with yours to see if they have the same problem. That way you can determine if it's you or you equipment and take the necessary action. In any case, a shorter barrel will help, for the time anyway. ESP
www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 Listen to a little Mozart
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Author: Geirskogul
Date: 2008-10-29 02:42
Better to get a short barrel and have to use rings then to have to buy a shorter barrel down the road.
As said before, maybe soft reeds, or some mouthpieces have "Bright" and "Mellow" versions, maybe under other names. Beak shape and angle, too.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-10-29 08:24
Martin, how long have you been playing clarinet for, and have you gone from being an established sax player to doubling on clarinet?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2008-10-29 14:25
I started playing clarinet after playing sax for years. My Noblet clarinet was always flat so I had the barrel shortened. Then I got a new mouthpiece. Then I got a new barrel because the clarinet played sharp with the shortened barrel.
I would suggest having other good players play your clarinet and see if it plays flat for them.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-10-29 15:01
Although I wouldn't recommend using a shorter barrel than what is specified, Yamaha do offer the following barrel lengths for the YCL-64 (the forerunner to the YCL-650S):
Length - part number - upper bore - lower bore
62mm - M2920070 - 0.588"/14.94 - 0.577"/14.66
64mm - M2920060 - 0.588"/14.94 - 0.577"/14.66
65mm - M2920050 - 0.588"/14.94 - 0.577"/14.66
66mm - M2920040 - 0.588"/14.94 - 0.577"/14.66
The standard barrel for the YCL-650S is:
65mm - M1120045 - 0.588"/14.94 - 0.577"/14.66
Measurements + or - .002"
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2008-10-29 16:39
I would caution you when trying a 64 mm barrel to pay special attention to the intonation of your throat tones. It could be possible that the 64 mm barrel would pull up your overall intonation but leave your throat tones too sharp in relation to the rest of the instrument. This would be a poor trade off.
To step back a moment, is your band director criticizing your overall intonation or intonation in a particular register?
For example, if your upper clarion and altissimo are flat you probably need to do more to develop your embouchure. This is not something that can be fixed in a few days. Perhaps you are using reeds that are too soft and will not support the vibrations in that range?
If your throat tones are proportionally flatter than the rest of the instrument, you might need to try a barrel with a Moennig style taper. This taper reduces the width of the 12ths in the upper joint, effectively raising the throat tones and perhaps lowering the upper clarion.
So you can see, the solution to your problem might be more complicated than just buying a shorter barrel. You might want to consult an experienced teacher or technician with acoustical expertise to help you through these issues.
BTW - there are mouthpieces in the marketplace that generally play lower than others. This is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on other factors in your setup, including your barrel length, strength of reed, and embouchure development.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
World class clarinet mouthpieces
New Buffet clarinets
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Author: martinw
Date: 2008-10-30 19:11
Many thanks and best wishes to everyone who has provided the above advice. I'm sure this will help me make the right decision.
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