[Wafaic]

Hi,
I own an old Conn clarinet, serial number is B215378L. I believe "L" goes for "Low Pitch".
What is the idea? Why make a low pitch instrument? To play out of tune with the other?
The sound of the clarinet is nice, but impossible to play with other musicians.
Is there a way to modify it, or is there a special mouthpiece, or any other solutioon to solve the problem? Make the barrel shorter may help?

 

[saxjd]

There are several threads on the "low pitch" "high pitch" issue. Low pitch = standard pitch, about A=440, ie playable with other modern instruments.

High pitch = no longer used.

 

[jacobeid]

If you can't the instrument with other players, then it's you. As stated above, low pitch is A=440. I think Conn's high pitched horns were tuned to A=457. High pitch instruments can not be used in today's music. Low pitch can.

 

[Wafaic]

Thank you for your answers. I will try to be better. -and read the posts, sorry- However, the thing is that with other clarinets, I do not have the same problem. Anyway, thank you again.
Eric

 

[saxjd]

The horn may have intonation problems even if it is low pitch.

 

[Dave Dolson]

I agree that most low-pitch instruments should play in tune with any ensemble which generally tuned properly. Personally, I struggled with proper pitch on clarinet until I bought shorter clarinet barrels. This subject has also been discussed at length here on SOTW.

My clarinet barrel was made specifically to my requested length and is REALLY short. My clarinet plays to pitch with that barrel and has good intonation over its entire range.

Another option is to look for shorter mouthpieces. I have a few Claude Lakey mouthpieces that are noticeably shorter than other mouthpieces. I bought them directly from Claude when he was still with us. He told me he pitched his pieces at A-443 just for the reasons we are discussing here. DAVE

 

[shmuelyosef]

I, too, find this to be an issue, particularly when playing with big bands...the pianos in most venues seem to be tuned around A=442-444...anybody have a clue why that is? I asked my personal piano tuner and she says that since pianos tend to 'drift' towards flatness with use, particularly professional use (they use the full dynamic range), some folks ask to have them tuned sharp, assuming that it will drift into tune...she hates to do it, but 'the customer is always right"?)(*&)(........I have my piano tuned to A=440 and it holds well for 8-12 months at a shot.

...any other thoughts