 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2015-05-08 21:21
My Buffet B12 product description says that the clarinet is tuned to 442 hz.
Since I am a self learner, I heavily rely on Korg tuner for right pitches. Recently, I changed my mouthpiece that came with the product with Vendoren M13 Lrye profile 88. The manufacturer's description says that this mouthpiece is suited for 440 hz.
Now, I wonder whether I have to change my tuner setting to 440 hz from current 442 hz.
Can anyone help on this?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-05-08 21:47
What is your tuner set to now? Most of the time the default factory setting is A=440 (on tuners sold in the U.S., at least). So when you play an A at 442 (or any other note that's proportionally in tune with A442) the needle will register 2 Hz higher than 0 (to the right of the midlline). If your tuner is actually set to A442, your old mouthpiece should tune on the 0 line and the M13 may indicate flat (to the left).
Whatever it's set to, as long as you know what the needle position means (what pitch is indicated at 0 deflection), you can make accurate assessments of your pitch.
Karl
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2015-05-08 22:59
It's currently set to 442.
When I check pitches, I shoot for the needle at center with Green light (no redlight for either sharp or flat). The is the part of reasons why I am (so) concerned about between 442 and 440.
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Author: AAAClarinet
Date: 2015-05-08 23:08
At this stage it doesn't matter a whole lot. Pick one. And learn to play in tune with yourself. I would set it to 440. Hope this helps.
AAAClarinet
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-05-08 23:26
If you rely on the lights to indicate in-or-out-of-tune, you need to calibrate your tuner for whatever pitch you want to play at. If you want to use A440 as your standard, then re-calibrate it. If you want to use A442 and get the M13 up to that pitch level, then you have to leave the tuner at A442.
Where you set the tuner has to do with what pitch standard you want/need (for ensemble playing) to meet, not what mouthpiece you're using.
Karl
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-05-09 02:34
Don't get to rely to heavily on using a tuner, they are handy as an occasional reference check but most importantly you need to learn to play with your ear as your main tool and of course fit in with whatever group or ensemble you are playing with at that moment.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-05-09 03:46
If everyone around you is tuning to 440Hz or you're playing along with a piano tuned to 440Hz, so should you be tuning to 440Hz regardless if your clarinet is allegedly built to 442Hz (which I don't believe they are as they're only supplying a shorter barrel with them nowadays).
So recalibrate your metronome to 440Hz which is the standard pitch in the US and tune to that - you will find it far easier on your chops.
The only reason they may say B12s are built to 442Hz is to make it easier for beginners to be able to play up to 440Hz with a developing embouchure as they will be flat to begin with. A more experienced player with a more developed embouchure playing a clarinet built to 442Hz will play sharp.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2015-05-09 05:40
Chris & Norman - Thanks for very interesting & helpful information. Based on what I heard so far, I would set my tuner to 440 Hz.
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