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Re: best size barrel for e-11 buffet Eb

Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-02-13 17:40

Jennifer McLaren of the Philharmonia made this video - she plays a B&H Imperial Eb clarinet with a barrel made by Alan Andrews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7ngv25gI7c

Here's a quote from her from the replies:

"I play on an old, heavily customised Boosey & Hawkes Imperial Eb which takes a very specific mouthpiece. French mouthpieces don't work at all. I do however have lots of students asking me the same question so here goes. Vandoren B44 is pretty good, although I usually recommend a B40.

Many instruments are quite sharp around top C and B. This is a problem that can be dealt with in three different ways - barrel, mouthpiece and/or tone hole adjustment. I sometimes use a narrow bore barrel to correct this, but some mouthpiece makers, particularly in USA tinker with the bore of their mouthpieces to achieve the same thing. There are knock on effects of course (sharper throat notes easily corrected by putting a bit of poster putty in the tone holes).

In short, you need to be careful not to over correct! You can of course also use poster putty in the relevant holes to flatten the top notes. My instrument is full of blu-tack. Also, people play differently so some have less need of correction up there. I like my C & B to be bang in tune or else I struggle in the Rite of Spring. I have found Eb clarinets to be pretty inconsistent over the years so there are no hard and fast rules.

Intonation is the most important thing of course. Related to that is also the feel of the mouthpiece, so if you're struggling to play anything above mf then chances are you'll be more likely to go flat under pressure so look for a reasonably free blowing mouthpiece that give you unrestricted volume (I like to be able to play VERY loud!). I use Vandoren White Master reeds with 3-4mm sawn off the bottom to fit the mouthpiece. (Some people shave a bit off the barrel to eliminate the need for chopping the reeds). I find these much better than standard Eb reeds as they seem to support the intonation better up high. You could also try the Black Master reeds. I find that the normal Eb reeds close up too easily.

To sum up - intonation is key so be prepared to try different combinations and tinker with the instrument."

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

Post Edited (2015-02-13 17:41)

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