 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: klook
Date: 2011-07-30 15:46
Okay I'm having issues with finding the best barrel/mpc combo for an old Wurlitzer C clarinet I just finished up.
I have a variety of C length barrels to choose from, from 46mm to 50mm is where I've been starting.
For mpc's I've been using Bb's of course, but I do have an old C piece that I found that needs work but seems to be good intonation wise.
The issues I'm having of course revolve around sound/tone and intonation. I'll find some pieces sound great with a certain barrel, but he intonation is crap.
But more specifically I'm finding an issue just with the genera sound: with some of the better combos I've tried I'm having a breaking up of sound in the upper register, like the notes want to split up and not come out right.
I know the clarinet is tight leak wise, the pads are new and I've checked for no leaks.
I'm wondering if this breaking up of sound in the upper register might have something to do with not having the right legnth barrel, or, maybe the wrong bore in the barrel? Or the wrong mouthpiece? Or all of these?
Its kind of a crazy hunt, just a lineup of barrels and mpcs, and the tuner. I want to play/sound good as well as be in relative tune.
On positive note the clarinet really does play and sound fantastically, which is why I'm really doing alot of work trying to find the right combo..
mark
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Author: William
Date: 2011-07-30 16:48
First, pick the barrel for the length that will allow YOU to play in tune. When it comes to intonation, the length is the most critical factor--too long will always play flat, too short, sharp. A mouthpiece dedicated to the C clarinet is best and I know Walter Grabner makes one, however, I find that my Chicago Kaspar #14 (vintage, not a Zinner copy) works well. I also use a Chadash barrel that seems to produce a bigger sound. My clarinet is a Buffet E-11 chosen from five and I always get compliments on it's sound. It is smooth over the break and has controllable intonation.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2011-07-30 19:23
The C clarinet tenons should fit Bb barrels. This can help you experiment with with lengths (Get some cheap used barrels and have local tech cut them down).
The problem lies in getting the bore just right. Some can be as wide as a Bb, and others quite narrow, and one brand is famously tapered to the exteme.
The length of the actual C bore is a short portion, but I have found that steep choke taper sometimes helps.
disclaimer: I make and sell custom barrels.
http://www.chedevillemp.com/barrel/
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
Post Edited (2011-07-30 19:25)
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Author: klook
Date: 2011-07-30 20:45
Well I have in my possession mayb 6-8 barrels that might be for C clarinet ranging from 44mm to maybe 52mm.
Its funny, they all seem to have areas where they work out, but none of them is right.
Alot of it too I think has to do with the mouthpiece. I typically use for most clarinets an old Woodwind Co. Steel Ebonite K9 piece that I had opened a touch. I think though the chamber is big and I'm putting too much air into the clarinet!
I'm anxiously waiting for the return of a number of mouthpieces that a friend of mine is fixing for me, among them a wood "C"mouthpiece that I think might help with this......but who knows!
mark
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Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2011-07-31 01:58
Mark - When you find the barrel length/mpc combination for your C clarinet that you like, I strongly suggest you think about getting a barrel made by Allan Segal (third poster in this thread).
I asked Allan to make a shorter barrel for my Forte C clarinet and the barrel *transformed* the instrument, much more radically than I've ever experienced a barrel improve a Bb or A clarinet. Aside from improving the pitch, the sound became sweeter, broader and completely opened up.
------------------------------------------------------------
Simon Aldrich
Clarinet Faculty - McGill University
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre de l'Opera de Montreal
Artistic Director - Jeffery Summer Concerts
Clarinet - Nouvel Ensemble Moderne
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