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Tuning a clarinet with itself

Author: mmatisoff
Date: 2016-02-17 03:44

I have a YCL-20 plastic student clarinet. I'm have a bear of a problem keeping my clarinet in tune through the different registers, particularly the mid-altissimo range. I tried to use the site's search tool; unfortunately, I don't know how to phrase my question properly. When I correct for sharpness in the chalameau and clarion range (which works pretty good), I really get sharp in the lower altissimo range (oddly, the very high notes seem to fall back into tune). Any help most welcome.

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Re: Tuning a clarinet with itself

Author: sfalexi
Date: 2016-02-17 04:44

I'd say you're doing pretty darned good.

Each note in the altissimo range has a number of different fingerings. Maybe on your clarinet, the "standard" fingerings - or whatever fingerings you are using0 - are just too sharp. You can try things like releasing the Eb lever (not using it to vent even though it's 'standard'), or maybe even using your right pinky to close off the C or B keys while in the altissimo.

Given your situation (and on a student clarinet where the likelihood of it being really in tune with itself is even less), I'd stick with how you're tuning it (clarion and chalemeau), and try different fingerings, vents, and keys to tame the altissimo a bit.

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

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Re: Tuning a clarinet with itself

Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2016-02-17 06:07

Hi Martin,

I'd start by tuning the open G (do not look at the tuner until you get the pitch well established for any tuning) and pull out as necessary. Then tune the G an octave higher; if this is high, pull out the lower section a little bit (keep the bridge key aligned). If low, you may need go back and push the barrel in a tad

Now check the high C. If this is fine, you are all set and have the intonation about as good as you can do. If the pitch is high, you might need to use a special barrel. If low, back to the barrel for an adjustment.

While I not saying that a YCL-20 is not capable of being in tune with itself, you may be expecting too much of a student-line clarinet. But you can see that there are some compromises that you might need to make.

HRL

Post Edited (2016-02-17 06:12)

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