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Re: Mpc for German Bb vs. A clarinet

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-04-03 03:57

Speaking of circa 1985 (the Karajan Berlin Philharmonic and many if not most major German/Austrian orchestras), the pitch was A=445 in Germany. That was not just a little "pushing in" with the barrel, but rather a major global shift from where we currently play in the US, A=440. To clarify this point, Karl Leister had to have two differently pitched sets of clarinets so that when traveling to non-Germanic countries he would need to use his A=440 set of clarinets.

So my first thought is that perhaps you are already playing German "A" clarinets!

As for the mouthpieces (again from my circa 1985 experience) just like us, you use the same mouthpiece and just switch the clarinet (or include the barrel.......just like we do). Perhaps the "A" designation on the mouthpiece has to do with a certain model in that manufacturer's line (I doubt if it refers to "A Frame" because all German mouthpieces should be so (looking up inside the walls of the tone chamber angle out steeply toward the baffle as opposed to straight up and down like most of ours which are called "H" frame).

Lastly, if it might help, if there is NO connection point between the throat "A" key and the "G#" key, then you must RELEASE the "G#" while sounding the note "A," or it will be far too sharp.

For me one of the biggest hurdles was the constant slide required between throat "Eb" and "F."

Crazy system

.................Paul Aviles

Post Edited (2020-04-03 04:07)

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