The Clarinet BBoard

c#

Author: ThatPerfectReed  Date:   2011-12-30 03:20 ...so lets suppose I want to instantiate another instance of an object in a sub-class... ...woa, sorry, wrong board, that's C# the software language... =========== Jokes aside, my 1960 R13, which I otherwise love, has never much sung the praises of . The note sounds a little airy on my horn--at least compared to other notes. I've checked the obvious, like the pad's distance (and integrity) from the horn when its hole is open with a press of the C#/G# key, and I suspect the key's not only pretty much where it should be with respect to the degree it opens when the key is pressed, but to elevate the C#/G$ key actuator (so as to further open the hole when the key is depressed), might affect my performance on the horn. I can't imagine that reducing the size of the open when the C#/G# key actuator is pressed would help, but do correct me if I am wrong. So--I guess I have a bunch of questions. Is this less than stellar I'm having some rare exception nobody's heard of, or is my situation somewhat indicate of Bb horns, or perhaps semi-vintage R13's in particular? Is it just like , never known to be a great clarinet note--at least when is played with the left pointer and thumb, void of any additional finger placement to sweeten the note? Speaking of additional finger placement, is there any to be had to sweeten said [c#4], or some alternate fingering I'm unaware of? Maybe the answer is that it's never been the horn's finest sounding note, and that one simply accept that. Thanks in advance for people's thoughts and help with this. I tried to seach before asking. Need I mention how many posts come up with one enters "C#" as the search criteria--no offense meant to this great board. Best wishes this holiday season.

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Re: c#

Author: Buster  Date:   2011-12-30 06:14 I'm not much of a computer programmer but isn't it C+?, or perhaps I am way out-dated! (I never got past Pascal and the very basics of Visual-Basic- but I sucked and coding made my eyes hurt.) -------------------------------------- The placement of the C#/G# tone-tole is compromised as the "ideal" placement lies where the upper and lower joints connect. (One-piece clarinets "correct" this issue, though it is a trade-off as you cannot aid tuning by pulling out at the middle joint.) Under-cutting or slight changes in the size of the tone-hole itself could help remove what "airiness" you hear- though go to someone very familiar with clarinet acoustics before going down that path. Any changes in the tone-hole size/ key-height can have a detrimental effect on the altissimo F; an already touchy note on certain clarinets. Also, if you have a cork-pad and are feeling brave, you could try and chamfer the edges of the pad (much like many do with the register-vent cork pad.) One of my older Buffets has the same issue (late 60's)- though very slightly, and it is more notable in the clarion register. (It also affects the response of the altissimo F.) I've learned to color the C#/G# as needed, or the notes around it depending on the setting, to remove the variation- but the difference is quite subtle in my case. (I wish I could actually tell you what I physically do, but it is so varied depending on the music/acoustics, and I probably couldn't accurately describe it at any rate......) As for a "resonance fingering" for C#, you can add the low F#, F, or E key to alter the shape a tad if you want to experiment- the effect will vary some depending on the dynamic played as well. Some clarinets suffer this ill much more than others, and it tends to be more of an issue on the A clarinet. (One of my A clarinets actually has a raised tone-hole for the C#/G#/F vent- it completely eliminates the issue on that horn. But, I don't know if this could be applied with the same result on all clarinets.) This is just one of the compromises we have to deal with unfortunately. Try recording at a distance to see how noticeable it truly is; perhaps before doing something drastic like changing the size of the tone-hole. It may be much more apparent to you through the aural/tactile-feedback-loop. Not to say it doesn't exist and should be dealt with obviously!!, but having an idea just how noticeable it is can aid greatly with whatever physical acrobatics you undertake. (I would bet less educated ears would fail to hear it- but they should be summarily dismissed Or in the spirit of the season, drink a few glasses of egg-nog (the real stuff) and I'd wager you would fail to worry about the issue- if only for a short while. *Legal Disclaimer*: if you're of age of course. -Jason Post Edited (2011-12-30 06:23)

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Re: c#

Author: gwie  Date:   2011-12-30 07:00 C is the original language, C++ (which means "increment the value of C by 1") is a newer version with objects. C# is the newest version, which started out very Java-like initially but has diverged with the addition of new features. If you learned C++ or Java, picking up the syntax of C# is fairly simple! ----- I've never liked C#/Db very much on any clarinet I've played either, but I find venting it with the low E key does enough to keep it from being too offensive.

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Re: c#

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017 Date:   2011-12-30 14:41 C#4 is always a bad note on the standard clarinet. Acoustically, the hole should be lower and larger, but that's impossible because it would overlap with the upper joint tenon and the lower joint socket. If you play a clarinet with an articulated C#, or one with a single-piece body (e.g., Rossi), you'll find that the note is wonderful. There are tweaks to make the note better, including fiddling with the bore, undercutting the hole and adjusting the direction of the hole. These are for specialist technicians only, because any change also affects G#5 and F6 . François Kloc told me that C#4 key is almost never set to open far enough. You should be able to play a low E, open the key and get a multiphonic. If you can't, open the key up until you do. Then do the same on low F, F#, G and G#. This made a noticeable improvement on my R-13s, particularly after Kalmen Opperman worked his magic in the bore and the undercutting. Ken Shaw

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Re: c#

Author: gwie  Date:   2011-12-31 00:52 > Just goes to show that we're always using the sum of knowledge > modified over time to be useful in different contexts. I'm just thankful it no longer involves a punched card.

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