Author: TomS
Date: 2015-03-25 05:12
My Libertas (and clarinets in general) is somewhat more sensitive to MP and reeds in achieving the highest register in tune. I have found that real cane reeds, such as VD blue box bring the pitch up somewhat with a selected MP.
You have to modify and experiment with your fingerings a bit to get the best out of tuning. But it is easier to achieve on the Libertas than the Buffet, IMHO.
It is true that the E-flat, E, F and F# are slightly flat, but not more than about -10 cents for the worst note (that's pretty good), and that's fingered with the "high school fingerings". The D and D-sharp are in tune, and the D doesn't need the RH-pinky E-flat key ... so you don't have to switch over when going from C-sharp to D, making the fingering easier.
I usually finger the E with the RH-pinky C key, instead of the E-flat key, and this brings the pitch right on and has a nicer timbre. When I have time, to bring the F up to pitch, I'll use the "long" fingering, the RH sliver key or the throat A key ... so three choices on that one. The high G is right on. You can also use the sliver key on the E and F-sharp.
With a little practice and equipment experimentation, you can play well in tune.
I mostly use Legere reeds, which, IMHO have a tendency to play slightly flat in the top register ... but still I am able to manage the tuning.
You can (I hate to say it) BITE a little and fix some flatness, as well ...
Most clarinets I own have an altissimo tuning curve that looks like a profile of the Rocky Mountains, but more a tendency for most notes to be sharp, with a flat F. It's much harder to compensate using fingering for instruments with such rough intonation..
I still vote for the Ridenour ... but I'd like to sit down and carefully compare the Alpha, Bliss and Lyrique.
You know, it's a CLARINET! Not gonna be perfect everywhere ... but some designs are more successful or at least more user friendly than others.
Your mileage my vary, because I use a pretty easy setup with no biting and not a lot of back pressure (I am an old man!) ... so others may not experience this very slight flatness on the Lyrique Libertas. A stiffer reed might perfectly fix this small concern.
Tom
Post Edited (2015-03-25 05:35)
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