Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) 64,091 … Tuning of BP clarinets. The goal of tuning the clarinet should be two fold: 1. not really a clarinetist myself but enjoy dabbling.. Most Importantly, Know The Tendencies On Your Own Instrument On the soprano clarinet we know things that are common to most instruments It is the philosophy of Vandoren to stay close the musicians for new product design, repertoire development, and other contributions to their art. 2) Play Tuning Exercise #1 at a mezzo forte dynamic. That is, the tuning characteristics remained with the player. The maps are speci c to each individual instrument and are created using the measured input impedance, clarinet geometry and user chosen reed characteristics. Title: Clarinet tuning eng, Author: Winds Corner, Name: Clarinet tuning eng, Length: 1 pages, Page: 1, Published: 2014-03-24 . For example, high C# is a sharp note and low F is a flat note on all clarinets, so don’t assume you are playing a bad clarinet. This is all in addition to the general tuning of your instrument. The closer your fingers to the tone holes, the lower the pitch. The Clarinet Institute provides free sheet music downloads to clarinet players all over the world. Have you ever wondered why the register key on clarinet isn't an octave key? To further complicate things, most barrels are tapered, meaning that the bore at the top of the barrel is different than the bore at the bottom of the barrel. very helpful.. If it is 5 cents or more sharp, pull out the main tuning … Choose equipment that promotes solid intonation on the “Best Clarinet Tuning Notes” listed below. To use this instrument tuner, make sure the built in microphone has web access. In the literature this is also called international standard pitch. As the clarinet warms from playing or from air temperature, the tuning becomes sharper, or higher pitched. Although the obsession with tuning gadgets is bordering on the neurotic, the proliferation of inexpensive tuners does afford us a greater awareness of the deficiencies of our instruments. 3. Tuning tip: Only make adjustments to your clarinet based on your trustworthy tuning notes. between the top of the reed and the mouthpiece surface. Pitch Tendencies of Dynamics ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Pitch Tendency Chart Guide Clarinet Basic Tuning Rules 1. She also discusses common pitch tendencies on the clarinet that affect tuning. Warm-up your instrument. Watch later. choices. For example, the Vandoren 13 series mouthpieces are tuned to A=440Hz, but Vandoren traditional mouthpieces are tuned to A=442Hz. Longer=Lower Clarinet Tuning Tendencies 17 Saxophone Tuning Tendencies 19 Mechanical Consideraons 21 Part II: Student Resources Flute 1 - 4 Oboe 1 - 4 Bassoon 1 - 4 Clarinet 1 - 4 Saxophone 1 - 4 Bibliography. expensive and should be a careful process done through extensive testing A “Closed” mouthpiece has very little space between the top of the Play long, slow You should not be constantly adjusting the length of your tube for each note that is out of tune. Even after tuning our instrument, there will still be notes that are naturally out-of-tune for various reasons. In addition to being in tune with other musicians, the clarinet should be in tune with itself. Begin in the chalumeau (low) register and Whitney Brainard MUS 461 Winter 2011 + Daily tuning • In band, make sure you warm up BEFORE tuning. Too hard reed=Higher/Sharper (not to mention difficult to play! So, what are some good tuning notes on clarinet? As if playing clarinet wasn’t already difficult enough (reeds, breathing, coordinating both hands) we also have to worry about tuning. Subscribe to the We Are Vandoren E-newsletter (WAVE) to receive 4 weekly articles for Performers, Key height can The clarinet was designed to play sharp. If you are sharp, The Selmer philosophy up to that point was to use a large diameter tone hole with no undercutting. soft may equal ‘sagging’ pitch and loss of focus). On some instruments, pulling out to get the open G Tuning is a never-ending musical journey, so be patient, use your ears, and good luck! Author’s Note: It is essential that clarinetists have good barrel length and design. Better Tuning David Bourque Tuning Excercises Tuning in a wind section presents a number of challenges. Playing with a tuner will help develop your intonation and an understanding of the tendencies of your instrument. Once they can play com- fortably in the clarion register, tuning Step #1. know the pitch tendencies of your instrument. Find two or three trustworthy notes on your clarinet, and play them with a tuner. This applies to everything: instrument, An “Open” mouthpiece has a large space all F’s above middle C on trombones tend to be sharp due to the physical properties of the instrument), but sometimes a note will be naturally in tune on one instrument but a little flat on another. Familiarize yourself with these elements which affect clarinet tuning and learn how to use these for your musical advantage. paul ;9), Your email address will not be published. 4. Do not use vibrato or try to manipulate the tuning note—play it straight. Tuning (also known as intonation) is more than just aiming for the green light on the tuner. There are many custom barrel designs available that can also While some notes in the lower clarion may be affected by pulling the • If you are waiting to perform (ex. If you would like to submit a fingering to be included in the charts, please follow the instructions on the bottom of … Warm up using long tones before tuning 2.! For example, the Vandoren 13 series mouthpieces are tuned to A=440Hz, but Vandoren traditional mouthpieces are tuned to A=442Hz. 2 Joseph Labuta, Basic Conducting Techniques. Do not use vibrato or try to manipulate the tuning note—play it straight. Clarinets! Biting the mouthpiece to try and raise the pitch may cause 2 Input Impedance Measurement Information The entirety of this work uses a wealth of information that can be found when studying the input impedance measurement for the clarinet. Mouthpiece Vandoren Artists can be heard with world-class orchestras and chamber groups, in jazz clubs and theaters, on award winning recordings, or found at universities educating the next wave of promising musicians. Now that you know the basics, let’s discuss a few factors and how they affect clarinet tuning. No comments: Post a Comment. say American Pitch, A440, etc. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Adam Pease brought up some very pertinent points about the tuning of his Selmer series 9 clarinet. The Clarinet by Brian Jones dents should say hue while playing, which places the tongue in the front of the mouth and allows them to play at the sweet spot of good tone and intonation. (I have played Buffet clarinets for most of my life and I have found the lower joint to be tuned consistently too sharp on most R-13 models. However, before you can adjust your intonation to account for these variables, you need to get your clarinet in tune in the first place. All rights reserved. Concert pitch may vary from ensemble to ensemble, and has varied widely over music history.The most common modern tuning standard uses 440 Hz for A above middle C as a reference note, with other notes being set relative to it. pitch of any given note. Always use sufficient air support and play at a mezzo forte dynamic level. tuning Open G. If it is still sharp, pull the bell out slightly. For a downloadable version of this, click here! The reality is clarinetists cannot significantly change the Before tuning students should prac- tice playing in all registers of the instrument. Mouthpieces can greatly affect pitch as can This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Required fields are marked *. Warm up thoroughly before tuning 2. In the literature this is also called international standard pitch. the sound to lose its’ ‘presence.’ Therefore, many professional players These pitches differ from the tendencies of other instruments, particularly wind instruments such as the oboe and clarinet. This site uses cookies to provide you with a better user experience. 3. I created this website to celebrate the clarinet and its repertoire, history, and the community of people it brings together from around the world. is not recommended except in extreme cases. also be adjusted to assist in the tuning process. This taper can be unique to the clarinet model, and a barrel with a different taper will have different tuning tendencies. Throat Tones . If your Tuning is a complex science with different variables specific to each instrument. tuning tendencies. Look for mouthpieces that • Have students mark out of tune notes with arrows so they know how to adjust accordingly. ealeksan@utm.edu As the saying goes, “It’s all relative.” This is particularly true when it comes to tuning. Most clarinet barrels in the United States are 65mm or 66mm, but you might need additional lengths depending on the ensemble you perform with or other factors. pitch adjustment. with a tuner. Most also build instruments with an ‘even scale’ Before completing the worksheet, tune to the pitches shown below. As much as we’d like tuning to be static, to just get the needle pointing straight up … Too soft reed=Lower/Flatter The goal for the Vandoren Artist-Clinicians program is to enhance the quality of the music experience through education and the assistance of Vandoren. more of the tone ‘color’ rather than pitch. By using this website, you accept our use of cookies. Note whether you are sharp and accounting for tuning tendencies is a well-developed ear. etc.) For a downloadable version of this, click here! To see the specific pitch tendencies and solutions for the clarinet, click here: PITCH TENDENCIES AND SOLUTIONS. Intonation Tendencies of Band Instruments . View all Vandoren Artist-Clinicians. seek out master repair persons to ‘undercut’ the tone holes on the Issuu company logo. Clarinet Intonation: How to Tune a Clarinet, and Intonation Tendencies - YouTube. This means knowing where to make adjustments and how to adjust. Soprano (lowest overblown note A440; same size as conventional Bb clarinet) chalumeau register: hole (bell) pad 1 pad 2 pad 3 pad 4 R3 R2 R1 L3 L2 L1 thumb throat key throat key + trill key: frequency (Hz) 146.7 159.6 173.7 189.0 205.7 223.8 243.5 265.0 288.4 313.8 341.5 371.6 404.3 440.0 : conventional pitch. The clinics they conduct cover a broad spectrum of topics and, based on your input, can be customized to fit the needs of your students. This makes it necessary for us to adjust, or manipulate, the pitch while playing. Instrument Tuning Guide Bassoon Basic Tuning Rules 1.! This answer may be more divisive than Alabama vs. Auburn football, but here’s my two cents (sorry for my terrible tuning pun): low C, open G, and top line F are my picks. Sustain the final F, and check a tuner. To check for focus, play on your barrel and mouthpiece first. down) may need to be used on Open G (and subsequent tones G#, A, Bb) to Tuning can change depending on the clarinet’s tuning tendencies for different notes, temperature, dynamics, and even chord structure (more on that soon). For example, 20 cents sharp is higher (aka more out of tune) than 10 cents sharp. The Vandoren Artist family is comprised of some of the finest woodwind performers and educators from around the world. 6th ed. Some clarinets have 12ths (from low F to third space C, for example) that are wider than others (remember the problems of … appropriately: flat – 0 in tune – sharp. All rights reserved. The different lengths of the barrels causes them to have different tuning tendencies. The longer the length of your tube, the flatter you will be (longer=lower). As you get used to your instrument’s tuning tendencies, find your clarinet’s trustworthy notes to tune to. You can tune these notes by pulling out your middle joint, or even your bell. When you play the clarinet for an extended amount of time, your clarinet is warmed by your breath. Tuning in this way causes the clarinet to play better in tune with itself and most importantly preserves the tuning of the throat tones. wind and string instruments. Adjusting the pitch of any particular note while (*insert dorky band joke punchline here*) Essentially, you adjust the length of the tube (aka clarinet) to match your reference. long tones, scales, arpeggios, thirds, and various single and multiple exercises. 1. Adjust the barrel, middle joint, and/or bell as shown below if pitch is sharp or flat. Concert pitch is the pitch reference to which a group of musical instruments are tuned for a performance. Without getting too scientific, A=440Hz means that concert pitch A above middle C will have 440 vibrations per second if it is in tune. To see the specific pitch tendencies and solutions for the clarinet, click here: PITCH TENDENCIES AND SOLUTIONS. Why does it jump up a 12th when you put down the register key? 440 or 442Hz. Tuning tip: Tuning changes constantly, so the tuning adjustments you made yesterday (or even an hour ago) will not necessarily be accurate in the present or the future. Categories are note (which includes four different clarinet ranges: Chalumeau, Throat Tones, Clarion and Altissimo) and tuner reading (-5 means five cents flat while 5 means five cents sharp. If you horn has a trigger, this is the chart that you can use to check tuning tendencies with the trigger. All flat? these tuning tendencies. For example, the Bb clarinet is more affected than the A clarinet, the C clarinet is more affected than the Bb, and the Eb soprano is more affected than the C. Before completing the chart, tune to the pitches shown below. bring the pitch down. Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Pinterest. Sometimes these specific notes are consistent with each instrument (e.g. In … Each clarinet has its unique tuning tendencies, although there are generalities among all clarinets. I can’t even get all of the notes in tune, and I’ve tried barrels to adjust it, but it often makes it worse. your music? Below, you will find a tuning tendency chart. Purchasing a new barrel can be be flat. An unfocused clarinet tone will almost always a common clarinet tuning problem. Students, and Educators, Musical Inspiration Straight to Your Desktop or Device. reed and the mouthpiece surface. For example, if the bottom note is sharp, so should the upper note. changed, which affects the pitch of individual notes. Tune the clarinet generally to a certain pitch level (ie. (This is also a very common problem with bass clarinet tuning) The clarinet can be pulled at the barrel, middle joint and bell for a more even tuning. For example, blow warm air into your clarinet if you are waiting in a cold greenroom before performing under warm stage lights. When the temperature is hot, the clarinet pitch will be sharp. As you become more familiar with the clarinet’s tuning tendencies through the regular use of tuners, listen before you look to help train your ears to hear when you’re out of tune. mouthpiece, and reeds. As a woodwind instrument, clarinets are very sensitive to temperature. You must constantly listen and make adjustments – tuning isn’t something you can do on auto-pilot. I vividly remember one honor band rehearsal in high school when the director spent at least an hour going around the entire ensemble and helping each musician find the “perfect” adjustment so they would be in tune. Luckily for the trombone, it uses a built-in "tuning slide" in place of valves, so the affect valve combinations have on the pitch of notes is of no concern to the beginning trombone player. This page includes suggested fingerings for a number of notes that may be problematic on the E-flat clarinet due to tuning tendencies or various challenging playing situations. Playing with a tuner will help develop your intonation and an understanding of the tendencies of your instrument. What clarinet music should you practice next based on your birthday? Think of a piccolo and a tuba – the shorter instrument is much higher, and the longer instrument is much lower. Luckily for the trombone, it uses a built-in "tuning slide" in place of valves, so the affect valve combinations have on the pitch of notes is of no concern to the beginning trombone player. Keep the clarinet in tune with itself as much as possible. Clarinet (B2, Alto, Bass, Contra Alto, and Contra Bass) Sharp tendencies Sharp: MEMORIZE THIS INFORMATION Flat tendencies The throat tones on the clarinet tend to be sharp. I vividly remember one honor band rehearsal in high school when the director spent at least an hour going around the entire ensemble and helping each musician find the “perfect” adjustment so they would be in tune. Intonation in general on the Eb clarinet can pose a challenge. Undercutting is a process where the shape of the tone hole is Warm Up the Clarinet. Once adjusted, play a G or a C (concert F and B-flat). Ligatures affect Playing any louder or quieter may distort the pitch. process several times over a few days for consistency. The acoustical design of the clarinet leaves very little room for pitch adjustment. If they look at your chart, both of you will help each other out that much better. Always use sufficient air support and play at a mezzo forte dynamic level. This is another reason that it is important to learn the clarinet’s tuning tendencies and the factors listed below. Lockwood found that a “closed” mouthpiece If your stand partner has a tuning chart, you can look over it to understand their tuning tendencies. How do you make tuning adjustments on the clarinet? There are two main components that factor into the pitch tendencies of most brass instruments: valve combinations and the overtone series. Concert pitch may vary from ensemble to ensemble, and has varied widely over music history.The most common modern tuning standard uses 440 Hz for A above middle C as a reference note, with other notes being set relative to it. Sustain the note until the tuner is close to stable. And there you have it – a comprehensive guide to clarinet tuning! A preparation tactic will assist the player recognizing and sorting out tuning challenges. I recommend finding a pitch tendency chart for clarinet printable online. Most also build instruments with an ‘even scale’ meaning that the interval distance (between the notes) is accurate. The most frustrating part? Choose your equipment according to your tuning tendencies and ensemble requirements. Concert A (your B-natural) should be pretty close to ‘in tune’ after Close. Each instrument has its own unique tendencies – notes that tend to be sharp or flat by design. Tips for Tuning. meaning that the interval distance (between the notes) is accurate. You will see the needle move and the strobe rotate until it finds the pitch you are playing. Tuning for Wind Instruments A Roadmap to Successful Intonation. Best Notes for Tuning the Clarinet with Band (Concert Bb and F): How To Adjust Pitch While Playing the Bass Clarinet. Fingering Charts Now Available as Digital Downloads. Embouchure too tight=Higher/Sharper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQZUlMY8Pig, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqbIeW7khSA, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnBbNaTEweA, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTN8CMCkJcU. Different mouthpieces are tuned differently. However, minute reductions in the amount of Shorter=Sharper thanks very much Play any note. Your Time Has Come! The Complete Guide to Clarinet Tuning - Jenny Maclay Provided by : jennyclarinet.com FREE Relying only on a tuner. Fingering Charts. the lip in or out). Each clarinet manufacturer builds instruments with relatively similar It is important to know exactly which way each note on the flute leans so that you may anticipate tuning issues before they arise. My name is Jenny Maclay, but my friends call me Jenny Clarinet. A larger diameter shortens the sound wave and sharpens the pitch. Do this Once we know our instrument’s tendencies, we can better predict how to manipulate a given note to be in-tune within a performance context. is very easy to lose the focus of the sound if the embouchure becomes ‘in tune’ will make other notes flat. © Jenny Maclay 2021. Share. Avoid extreme dynamics in any registers with problem notes. opportunity to learn the general tuning tendencies of our instruments and how to adjust to those tendencies. This page includes suggested fingerings for a number of notes that may be problematic on the E-flat clarinet due to tuning tendencies or various challenging playing situations. A 65 will With proper articulation instruction, they will helpyou develop adequate air control, correct … El clarinet és un instrument musical de vent de fusta. This 1. Altissimo. In addition, the higher pitched the clarinet is the more drastically the tuning of the throat tones are affected by pulling the barrel to get the clarinet down to pitch. Email This BlogThis! So how do you tune a clarinet? Play any note. Temperature affects intonation dramatically so it is important warm up your euphonium before tuning it. Tuning is the adjustment of musical pitches to match a reference. Reeds may affect to a lesser degree (reeds too In “Advanced Intonation Technique for Clarinets/JB Linear Music” (September 19, 2006), John Gibson concludes: James Lockwood in “Pitch Adjustments in Clarinet Playing/The Journal Clarinet Intonation: How to Tune a Clarinet, and Intonation Tendencies. The problems he expressed are exactly those that Selmer chose in the design of the Selmer 9. Before completing the chart, tune to the pitches shown below. one must also consider ‘ease of playing’ as well as tuning. moving the bottom lip first. These are the most stable tuning notes for clarinet, both in an ensemble setting and for individual playing. Once adjusted, play a G or a C (concert F and B-flat). clarinet. Remember, tuners reinforce the tuning verdict – not make it for you! Tuning tip: Remember that no instrument will be perfectly in tune, and the clarinet is no exception. Each clarinet manufacturer builds instruments with relatively similar tuning tendencies. The tuning problem described above, by the way, can be greatly minimized by selecting a clarinet model for the section with better-balanced tuning tendencies. pitch slightly. 1) Before tuning, make sure that your tuning slide is pull out a half inch to start. Band directors: Should your clarinetists be double tonguing? View all Denis Wick Artists. 1) Before tuning, make sure that your tuning slide is pull out a half inch to start. The clarinet inherently has an aberrant scale and choices are made by manufacturers in how to deal with these idiosyncracies and preserve a good sound. As a student’s ear becomes more experienced and well trained, we can trust that their ability to perform within an ensemble (even when playing notes with prob-lematic tuning tendencies) will improve. If the temperature of the room rises throughout a rehearsal, the clarinet's pitch will go sharper. What is tuning? piano, other winds, and strings. The reference can be a variety of things, including frequency level (A=440 Hz in the United States), or other musicians with whom you are playing. Since the tuning is effected by heat, you should warm the clarinet before you play. For example, low A is generally high, so you can keep your right hand ring finger closer to the tone hole to lower the pitch (just be careful not to actually touch the key). Embouchure too loose=Lower/Flatter. Factors Affecting Pitch. The sound of the Présence clarinet is a mix of harmonic richness, and timbre; essential characteristics to the instrument. This ambiguity of science and mu… Tuning can change depending on the clarinet’s tuning tendencies for different notes, temperature, dynamics, and even chord structure (more on that soon). responds to “damping” – (rolling more lip inside or outside the mouth). Again, purchasing a mouthpiece can be Playing Joe's clarinet, I still needed to have the barrel pulled out by about 2mm to get down to concert pitch. Clarinet Basic Tuning Rules 1. To use this instrument tuner, make sure the built in microphone has web access. Copy link. Barrels Choose your equipment according to your tuning tendencies and ensemble requirements. Always use sufficient air support and play at a mezzo forte dynamic level. Factors Affecting Pitch. It is hard to remember the tendencies for all of the notes on the clarinet. playing can be problematic because the embouchure must be involved. It is important to know exactly which way each note on the flute leans so that you may anticipate tuning issues before they arise. If you would like to submit a fingering to be included in the charts, please follow the instructions on the bottom of the page! Tuning is affected by many factors, from dynamics to chords to the rest of the ensemble – even the weather! After warming up, check the pitch of each note with a tuner. lip surface next to the reed and/or lip pressure may help lower the work your way up to the clarion (middle) register. Clarinets: Intonation tendencies and How to Tune Posted by vhenson@elwood.k12.ny.us at 11:11 AM. Better Tuning David Bourque Tuning Excercises Tuning in a wind section presents a number of challenges. If you are out of tune, you are either too high (sharp) or too low (flat). then was needed briefly in a show and was surprised to find myself almost half a tone flat.. How do you bring down or bring up the pitch while playing passages in And Joe still required his short barrel to get up to concert pitch when playing my clarinet. Help us to keep these archives alive and thriving with your generous donation. of the Acoustical Society of America”, May 1978, Volume 63, Issue S1, Playing the clarinet at room temperature will give you the best chance of being in tune. possible. These pitches differ from the tendencies of other instruments, particularly wind instruments such as the oboe and clarinet. If you are flat, push in. Mark each note The C-G 12th connection may be affected by pulling the middle joint. Pull out or push in, and play your tuning notes again to see if the problem is corrected.