Author: klook
Date: 2010-11-13 23:55
Okay, I recently just finished up repadding an old Buffet C clarinet I came across.
It dates to 1895, has Albert keywork w/ two rings on the bottom joint and no rollers.
It was not marked high or low pitch.
The barrel that came with the clarinet was not original.
I almost sold this to a guy who really wanted it, but, he was sure it was a high pitch clarinet and backed out. The measurements didn't add up to him.
Now, at that point I hadn't had a chance to really mess with playing the clarinet with a tuner.
I've now spent a considerable amount of time playing this clarinet in front of my Korg tuner set to A=440. With the unknown barrel of 63mm this clarinet plays in tune all the way up to the altissimo register. The upper end of the chalmeau register requires venting with the side keys, especially the F and F#, but its no big deal.
It doesn't do as well in the altissimo range, but I'm sure I could figure out better fingerings for that.
So, my question is, if this was really a High pitch clarinet, and I was using the wrong barrel to try to get it to A=440, wouldn't the intonation be all screwy? I mean I'm not influencing the notes by lipping very much, not more than I would with any other clarinet on certain notes.
The guy I talked to claims he checked with a buddy of his who had 3 old Buffet C clarinets, and that mine was an inch or so too short (measured from bell to top section, not including the tenon), and that the replacement barrel was probably used just to make it play close to A=440, but it wouldn't play very well.
He's a super knowledgeable guy so I don't doubt his info, but something is awry here, right?
Oh, mine measures 17.5" from bell to top joint without including the tenon.
klook
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