 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Pres-Lives
Date: 2015-02-23 02:58
Hello,
I'm a self taught clarinetist. I played all the saxophones and flute for years, but had trouble leaning the clarinet.
In 2004, I tried it again and everything came together. I love paying clarinet, and finally was able to play in a pit band.
Here is my issue. The clarinet I've been using is a Warner. It's made in Czechoslovakia. My parents purchased it in London for $100.00 in 1973.
I did some research on it and it was made by Kholert. I've been told by other clarinetists that the wood is of a very high quality. I use a Ridenhour hard rubber barrel. It helped with projection and intonation quite a bit. The clarinet was too sharp, with the rubber barrel I'm right in tune.
I would love to get a better clarinet, but don't have the money. So I'm living with this one. (over 40 years now) Is there an affordable professional clarinet out there?
I'm a jazz player. Artie Shaw Benny Goodman, Jimmy Hamilton, Buddy Defranco are a few of my many favorites. That's sound I've always gone for.
Recently I switched from a Pomerico Jazz mouthpiece to a Bari Buddy Defranco BFD#3. It has improved my projection and range.
I'm having a "chirping" problem that's driving me nuts.
I've had been using Vandoren V12 #3 reeds, but they were stuffy with this mouthpiece. I switched to Eastman reeds filed #3 but now they're a little weak.
Any suggestions would be most helpful.
Many thanks.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2015-02-23 03:50
You seem to be doing well with what you're playing now. Older large-bore Selmers (Balanced Tone, Centered Tone, Series 9) are very popular with jazz players and are available on eBay and elsewhere for affordable prices.
The chirping problem is likely to be caused because the reed is not covering completely, usually at the corners. Try moving the reed a tiny bit higher to make sure.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Pres-Lives
Date: 2015-02-23 05:55
Thanks Ken.
I've heard of those Selmer Series 9 clarinets. Some of my vintage Down Beat magazines have ads for them. I think they're from the early 60's.
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Author: Jamnik
Date: 2015-02-23 06:27
My daughter has a Selmer 9 series and loves playing it but the intonation for a professional level horn is a touch lacking. I've heard others say that this is normal but because of certain problem notes tuning, she only plays it to practice and never in a group setting with other clarinets. It's a shame since it is really a nice playing and sounding horn.
Jamnik
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Author: Pres-Lives
Date: 2015-02-23 07:10
Hi,
I looked at some Series 9 clarinets for sale on EBay. Inside the cases are two barrels. A long and short. Does your daughters Series 9 have two barrels?
Is the clarinet tending to be sharp or flat? What mouthpiece and reed is she using?
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Author: eddiec ★2017
Date: 2015-02-23 08:36
Sometimes a persistent chirp that keeps creeping in can be from a mouthpiece that has warped. I've had that happen a few times - once on a B45, and once on a 5RV.
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Author: Jamnik
Date: 2015-02-23 12:46
She does have two barrels. Most of the notes are well in tune but there are a few that fall outside of the +/- 10 cents. I will get the specifics from her, but a few were really flat (20 cents) and a few were 15 and 20 cents sharp. She predominantly plays a Reichard Hawkins R mouthpiece with vandoren reeds (3.5 V12 and 3.5+ Rue 56). She has gone through some experimentation with 7-10 different brand barrels and three other mouthpieces but none helped. Tom Ridenour looked at it a few years ago but money was better invested in a newer clarinet.
Jamnik
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