 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: HBO
Date: 2009-03-05 09:50
For a long time, I've been noticing how flat my low F, and high E, F, G, and A were, while the middle A and Bb were really sharp. I managed to get almost every other note in tune by pulling out the joint and the barrel, but those notes are always out of tune. I was feeling bad too, because I play on a Lyrique, which, as almost everyone says, is incredibly stable in tune and has an even scale, which of course apprently doesn't apply to me...
What factor do you think has the negative effect on my tuning? There are several I am suspecting...
1) my embouchure (maybe has to do with the position of my tongue? But I do raise my tongue while playing...)
2) reeds (well, I was using VD reeds because I ran out of the rico reeds I was using, and I did order those from WWBW, but they are on the way now, and the VD reeds were played without breaking in process for several weeks, so they are pretty much worn out now...)
3) Reed strength (I know some people will say strength does not help, but I do remember when I was using strength 4 reeds, my teacher said I sounded pretty good, but I could not keep on playing for very long - due to factors such as embouchure fatigue - and size 4 feeled very hard, so I switched to 3.5 reeds...)
4) mouthpiece (I have been using traditional 5RV... maybe if use 13 series 5RV things might improve?)
...There might be several more factors, but those are all I can think of now... So, what do you think?
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Author: Marcuin
Date: 2009-03-05 10:13
Hi,
This notes are naturally out of tune on the clarinet. You can fix that with:
1. Add a fingers on holes.
2. Switch to harder reeds.
3. Try 13 series mouthpiece.
4. Try to unclench(?) your lip or jaw at this notes.
Try to do this, but remember - there is no perfect clarinet with all notes in tune!
Hope I help.
Marcuin
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2009-03-05 11:44
Hello HBO,
Would you mind being more specific about the notes? Do you mean F3, E5-F5-G5-A5, and then A4, Bb4?
IF SO: the low F's on many clarinets are flat so that the resulting C is in tune. This is a "necessary" trade off.
A4, Bb4: these notes, along with G4 and G#4, are throat tones. They are thin in quality and sharp in pitch. Adding the fingers of the right hand as you play them will bring them in line as Marcuin suggests above.
If clarion E-A are sharper than the corresponding lower register A-D, then you probably need a barrel with an inverse taper: a Meonnig, Chadash, or other product. This will "narrow" the twelths, so that the clarion notes do not play so sharp in comparison to their fundamental counterparts.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-03-05 11:49
Have you discussed the intonation problems with Tom Ridenour? Part of the advantage of getting a Lyrique are after the sale adjustments and customization. See if there is anything he can do to adjust your instrument.
Jeff
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