A=442 Tuning issues?

[Dr G]

Anyone using European-destined clarinets in an A=440Hz context?

I know it's an issue that's been covered regarding saxophones. I'm wondering whether it is as great/sensitive a problem with clarinets. The reason why I even ask is that I know that clarinet players often interchange barrels of varying length to suit their embouchures and mouthpieces (and probably various other reasons as well). Matthews Music is selling their Buffet RC's in the A=442 version and seem to downplay it as a non-issue.

Your thoughts?

Thank you.

[Dave Dolson]

Dr G: For some unknown reason (probably because I am not a trained clarinetist, and at my age, I'm not looking for lessons), I play FLAT on standard clarinet barrels. I had a noted clarinet repair tech in Van Nuys, CA make me a special VERY short clarinet barrel (a Sierra, as I reacll, under 60MM according to my reloading calipers) with which I can come to pitch (maybe even a little sharp, as required). I use it on a Buffet RC Prestige. The barrel that came with my Buffet is 65mm.

I have an even shorter Buffet-made barrel, too, but it is just loose enough that I prefer the custom-made barrel. Also, I just picked up one of Rhueben Allen's special barrels (62mm) with the capability of changing the barrel's taper from normal to reverse-taper. I was going to use it last Saturday at a jazz festival but all the pianos were tuned higher than A440, so I went back to my custom barrel.

And no, the short barrels do not throw off my intonation - and I don't know why that is, either. I would imagine that if you can play regular barrels, that a barrel pitched at 442 would be little problem becauseyou could pull it out a bit to flatten it for certain tuning situations. DAVE

[Dr G]

Thanks, Dave. I, too, play chronically flat on a stock barrel. Great info. Really hits the spot. This may be just what I need.

Go for the tone.

George

[Dave Dolson]

Dr G: One more thing . . . I bought my RC Prestige new in London in 1985, so it was definitely a European-delivered horn. E-mail me and I'll pass along contact info for Rhueben Allen and others. DAVE (jazzdolsonatattbi.com)

[bari_sax_diva]

Ah... I'm among friends. After being a clarinet player for years before taking up sax full-time, I now find that my wimpy doubler's chops give me the same problem. On a stock barrel, I'm flat as a pancake.

I solved the problem with a shorter barrel for legit stuff (which I'm trying to do more of now), a stiffer reed, and a Click barrel for big band playing. It never fails that after a night of playing baritone, some sadistic bandleader (usually a piano or trumpet player) will call up "Moonlight Serenade," in the third set and I'll have to tune in a hurry, then adjust about halfway through the chart. The Click has been a lifesaver.

Cheers,
Leanne

[AMASAX]

you should stay away from A=442 clarinets(and saxes, for that matter), as even tho it appears that 440 vs. 442 is *only* two cycles, it ends up being about 10 cents (10% of the distance between A/440 and a half step up to Bb ) difference, which is way more than you wanna mess with if you're playing with any kind of ensemble that has any semblance of intonation.

You'll often see/hear some people say that it's easy to vary from 440 to 442 or from 442 to 440, but that's not really true. Usually these types have something to sell...

Matthews should be able to get you an A=440 horn, as the top manufacturers(Selmer, Buffet, Leblanc) make all of their top line horns in 442 pitch. Turns out the default in the U.S. is to import 440 horns; in Europe it's 442. That's why Matthews has a pile of 442 horns on their shelves, *eager* to be purchased by YOU.

If you're gonna go to college, you'll be in trouble trying to fit into ensembles. If you're gonna be playing with electronic instruments, which easily tune to 440, you'll also be in trouble.

[Dr G]

Thanks to all for the comments. After doing a bit of poking around in the www.woodwind.org archives as well, I've decided to try out a two-year old Buffet Greenline R-13 (A=440hz). Given my altitude and humidy concerns, I'm hoping that the Greenline is indeed a more stable instrument. The Leblanc LL that I had last year just wasn't happy here. I'll keep you posted on my success.

[Roger Aldridge]

This is an interesting topic. In fact, I was thinking about it just recently.

My main clarinet is a Patricola C and I use a Morgan RM28 Bb mpc on it. The Patricola C clarinet comes with 45 mm and 46 mm barrels. Before I purchased the clarinet last year I contacted the Patricola company and asked them whether their C clarinet should use a "real" C mouthpiece or a Bb. I was told that it was actually designed for a Bb mouthpiece. When it arrived I tried it with both Morgan C and Bb mouthpieces. Sure enough, it played much better with the Bb mouthpiece. The intonation is quite good with the 45 mm barrel. But, it's pushed on all the way. Thus, if I needed to tune a touch sharp I'd be in trouble.

As I thought about this I had a brainstorm. :lol: Since I don't use the 46 mm barrel I emailed the Patricola folks and asked them if they could convert it to a 44 mm barrel. They wrote back and said no problem. Not only that, there's no charge for making the modification. Ya can't beat that! So, the barrel is in the mail and on it's way to Italy.

It will be interesting to check out the clarinet's intonation with this barrel.