 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dank
Date: 2015-12-03 08:03
Somewhat recently, I have noticed that all my notes between low C and open G have been uncharacteristically flat compared to the other notes on my clarinet (R13, M30 L, Stock barrel).
Although at first I took this to be an effect of the weather, I do not think so anymore, since the flatness is quite dramatic. I have started to use somewhat softer reeds (V12 3.5) recently, after marching band to bring back my embouchure.
However, I do not think this is the cause, as none of my other notes are affected. I'm thinking that it may be a hardware problem but I am not sure what. Any thoughts?
Also: The cork on my mouthpiece is a little bit worn down, but upon using a tighter barrel, nothing really changed so I don't think its that.
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Author: Exiawolf
Date: 2015-12-03 08:39
If it's a 13 series mouthpiece, that may possibly be your problem. My M13 Lyre plays very flat on those notes as well on the stock barrel.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2015-12-03 11:53
Once I had a Master Model Evette (Buffet) clarinet that had a low register that was too flat. I undercut all of the toneholes a little bit and the clarinet was much improved. The top register was not changed by the undercutting.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2015-12-03 17:00
Dank wrote:
> Somewhat recently, I have noticed that all my notes between low
> C and open G have been uncharacteristically flat compared to
> the other notes on my clarinet (R13, M30 L, Stock barrel).
Just to be clear, are you saying that the notes have probably always been flat but that you've just noticed it, or that the clarinet had been relatively i tune and only recently the intonation of those notes changed?
Karl
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-12-03 17:01
That's a very odd problem, especially if it appeared without any equipment change. Normally your open G is what you use to gage the pitch (and embouchure) of the rest of your clarinet. And I might think the lowing of the "G" could be one or more of the LH ring pads not opening up, but that wouldn't affect any of the lower notes.
I'd work it out with a teacher and or tech.
Just out of curiosity, are the RH rings popping up when none of your RH fingers are down?
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2015-12-03 17:40
Karl asked an important question re. whether you've just recently noticed wide 12ths that may have been there all along, or whether the pitch of the clarinet has recently changed. The first situation is a common one: the more we practice, the better we listen. But a clarinet going out of whack in that particular way sounds strange to me, if you've made no equipment changes (new barrel or mouthpiece, for instance).
As far as I'm aware, R13s have never been manufactured deliberately with wide 12ths, but during the manufacturing process . . . maybe stuff happens. Wide 12ths (flat in the chalumeau register but normal in the clarion, or more often, normal in the chalumeau but sharp in the clarion) are common on student clarinets intended for beginners. The theory seems to be that a beginner learning to play above the break will often play the higher notes flat at first, until he or she develops a strong, firm embouchure.
Even some intermediate clarinets have been made with wide 12ths -- my 1957 Conn Director, for example. I began on that clarinet, played it for nine years and had one hell of a time teaching myself *not* to bend the chalumeau up and the clarion down when I started playing a Buffet R13.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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