Clarinet Intonation: How to Tune a Clarinet, and Intonation Tendencies

[@gaetaneferland]

Thanks, Michelle. I have a lot to learn especially at the beginning!

[@petervandermeiren]

Hi Michelle, thanks again for a great instructive video. I have now followed clarinet course in the local music school for one year, and this has been great. However, 1 hour of instrument instruction for 2 pupils is not a lot, and there is a lot to learn. Your video's have been a great complement to improve my sound, and make clarinet playing more fun, and less stress. The combination of online resources and a great teacher is maginificent. And the good thing of a video is that it never gets tired of being played again. Thanks! Peter - Belgium

[@ClarinetMentors]

Hi Peter, I'm glad these are helpful. I agree that videos can be with you whenever you need them. We are lucky to have KZbin!

[@rosanerio2]

Thank you ever SO much Michelle for all your videos!!! I am in Brazil and it's quite hard to find good teachers around here where I am ( most of them went to play abroad, hehe) and your videos are most helpful! Pleaaase keep it up!! THANK YOU again!

[@alessandromatias2807]

Hey, I'm from Brazil too. She is a good teacher! I also have been improve my skills watching her videos too. Thank you Michelle!

[@nandoaidos]

I just started watching your videos. Love them. The pace is just right for me. Thank you all the way from the north of Portugal (Viana do Castelo).

[@kharmaviv]

Wow! This is wonderful. I did not realize that you could pull the other parts of the instrument and that it would affect the notes within that section. I only knew about the barrel. I was wondering what to do when some notes may be a little sharp and others may be a little flat. Thank you for making this video. 😊

[@johnharvey2850]

Out of 100 or so videos on KZbin, there's a good one. This is one of those! Very informative, thank you 😊

[@sumssmus]

Thanx Michelle! Great advice now the weather tends to warm up overhere.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Anderson's Unite! Love your Videos.

[@tombroschinsky3281]

Thank you Michelle. On a previous video regarding the sizing of your reed you mentioned that in the upper register if your reed is too soft it could actually cut off the sound. I've been experiencing a similar problem but with the right hand notes (d,e with the octave key and g,a in the lower register). This generally happens after about a half hour of practice. Could this be a result of poor reed choice as well?

[@danielazavala8933]

hello i just started watching your videos i was wonder what tuner you were using ?

[@anniequickeinstrumentaltea1737]

Thanks: find your videos really helpful: also looked at the one about tongue position. What I'm wondering is would you lower your tongue position when playing quietly? I find notes get sharper when I get quieter, and I'm wondering if this would be a good way to counteract that?

[@EPeltzer]

Not until 4m40s does this video finally this come to the point of how actually a clarinet is tuned, by pulling out the barrel, and or the middle joint, slightly to lengthen/shorten. Now, it's great to go into all the details and fine points, temperature, particularities of various notes on an instrument that tend to not be in tune, electronic tuners etc. But I think most viewers would probably prefer the basic stuff up front.

[@Rad_Reese]

Greetings Ms. Anderson, I was curious where did you get your Clarinet barrel and bell? Where can I purchase the like? Does the barrel give you more air? Thanks for reading.

[@LynntheWhalien]

Hi! My clarinet sounded fine last week but this week all of a sudden it plays really sharp or really flat. I keep trying to pull in and pull out and raise and lower my tongue but nothings working. It doesn't look like any pads are ruined or any keys are bent, but I don't know what to really look for. I could really use some feedback on what to do.

[@zacharytaylor190]

My clarinet had a flat tendancy. This is almost a semitone for the e and f. Ive tried embacoure trics but it seems like i realky need to have too much tension to play the notes at pich almost to the point of squaking. Im still a beginner and im using type 2 reeds. Any suggestions?

[@elenaga5143]

Hi Michelle. Thanks for your new video, I find it really useful. By the way, I was thinking in the same lines as Dominic, because I have always been told to "open the inside of my mouth to improve the quality of the tone". I suppose they mean "lower my jaw" and not "lower my tongue"? Thank you.

[@ClarinetMentors]

For the traditional classical sound, which most concert bands use as well, your tongue actually sits fairly high in your mouth. It is by rounding the corners of your mouth in so that you are not pinching or biting the reed (which would be similar to "lower your jaw") that you usually create more resonance and flexibility in the sound. For styles where you want to bend pitch, (some jazz or klezmer effects), then you may want your tongue to move around to assist with this.

[@kyotosal]

Thank you Michelle. I am learning a lot about tuning from you. I am slowly progressing in the clarion register. I will soon be checked out by a San Francisco clarinetist of 45 years. I have a million questions. I will always be in touch with you. Thank you so much again.......Sal

[@ClarinetMentors]

That's great Sal. Having someone in person to give you feedback is invaluable. I hope it goes well.

[@johncavazos5573]

I found your clarinet intonation helpful in up keep toner of my instruments.

[@iraidarivera4346]

What a great way to explain, thank you so much!

[@ClarinetMentors]

I'm glad this was helpful to you!

[@MIDIPipe]

Just what I was looking for! Thanks so much Maestra!

[@pashmpoosh]

Excellent and informative videos. Thank you!

[@usebleachusebleach4899]

Hi!!! Isn't C pitch on a Concert instrument, a D note on a Bb instrument?

[@DuyenTran-dn6bh]

Hi Michelle I’m playing on a 66mm barrel. I have to pull out about 2-3 mm during the summer. I’m afraid of getting a longer barrel will affect the tuning during the winter. Will a 67 mm barrel works? I’m playing the Backun vocalise mouthpiece.

[@hayleyhowe4485]

Hello Michelle, Thank you for your videos. I was wondering......I hear that, when playing 'piano' the pitch can become sharp, unless the embouchure is adjusted. How do I make those adjustments so that I don't play sharp? I am thinking of the second movement of the Finzi Bagatelles in particular. Many thanks for your help.

[@ClarinetMentors]

+Hayley Howe If someone is playing softly without fast enough air support (which is tricky to do), we sometimes end up "biting" a bit on the mouthpiece because we can feel that the sound is about to stop. We replace air support with jaw support. Although this kind of works, it also causes notes to be sharp, and mutes the tone. Most people do it without realizing it. This can cause sharpness. That movement also has many throat tones, which tend to be sharp on many clarinets. Check your tuning before playing, since pulling a bit at the barrel will help the throat tones. To know if you might be biting, try this embouchure tester at as soft a level as possible. If you aren't, then I wouldn't worry that you will get sharper as you get softer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2O3hnqvidifi68 - Embouchure Tester

[@raenastra]

Awesome video! Quick question though. I use a plastic reed for marching band and the woodwinds are being asked to play louder. However when I try to play louder my tuning is all over the place. What should I do to maintain tuning while playing louder? My tone also gets pretty bad but I think that may just be the plastic reed.

[@ClarinetMentors]

Debashish Biswas That one is tricky. Playing too loud can cause us to bite, and then play quite sharp. You might try playing loudly with a tuner and see if you are consistently sharp, and then you can pull your barrel to tune down. Keep your tongue in a "HEE" position inside of your mouth, or you will find that your highest notes will actually get flat. Keeping the corners of your mouth firmly wrapped inward will help even out intonation as well. Nobody gets their best tone in a loud, outdoor scenario, so you'll just have to do your best under those circumstances!

[@raenastra]

Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Alright! I'll keep these in mind. Thanks for taking the time to answer!

[@mortingenstraize]

Hi Michelle, your videos are very helpful for me. Thank you very much for sharing. I have a question. I have a g clarinet. I am trying the tune it but it is not a little sharp as usual. It is kind a flat for every notes. When I play the high pitch notes it's even getting more flatter. What should I do? Do I have to get shorter barrel? Thanks already, see you.

[@dennisdougherty7538]

+mortingenstraize. There are several problems that cause the higher notes to go flat. I'll let Michelle answer you on the clarinet playing portion when she gets time. In the instrument portion of playing, we often find the bore dimension of the barrel or lower clarinet joint to be at fault: Especially so if you play a low pitch that is in-tune then, upon adding the register key, the upper pitch is flat. Try your friend's barrel (or a music store's selection) for comparison.

[@alanzeekk]

Hi, what can we do if we having trouble playing high A's and B's and it keeps going flatter.

[@ClarinetMentors]

If those high notes are flatter than other notes (especially the high C next in line), it is usually a voicing issue. Your tongue will like to sit low in your mouth, but if you raise it up, (as if you are saying "HEEEE") it can bring pitch up. This video may help: voicing with tuner: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eovEqKanlL99oNk

[@apaschal6141]

Hi Michelle. Thanks for this video. Playing in tune continuously is one of my many frustrations. You mention in this video that we should never pull out from the mouthpiece. I was wondering why you say that. I always adjust from the barrell, but I have heard that it´s okay to pull out from the mouthpiece or the bell, as well. Is this bad/incorrect advice??

[@ClarinetMentors]

It is really easy for a bit of air to leak from the mouthpiece joint if you pull there. It can lead to some mysterious squeaks or other trouble. Usually tuning from the barrel will work just fine, and it is built with more room to pull out.

[@phillipshearman5597]

Hi Paschal. Michelle's answer is a good one, but drastic situations demand drastic action. If you need to pull out there for the moment do it and then decide with careful attention if you need a new barrel. Keep in mind that pulling out at the mouthpiece will lower you mid-staff Bb and not do much for your tuning C. A barrel that fits on the clarinet may not help with tuning. A barrel with reverse taper will raise your high B and C more and not affect much the mid-staff B or C. A barrel with a wider bore with make the register change sharper as you play in the clarion register. Pulling out in the center will affect the lower joint and not the top joint. It is important not to create a pocket of air space between pieces so always use a tuning ring to avoid pitch anomalies.

[@jamonica2869]

This video was so helpful to me! Thank you so much for it. I have one question: the song that I am learning right now I also have a piano version I wanted to play along with to make sure I would stay in tune. I was thoroughly surprised when I sounded so flat in comparison to this piano. Is this because of the concert notes being different from the notes on a clarinet? Or is my clarinet so out of tune that I should get it checked out? Thanks again!!!

[@ClarinetMentors]

+Sophia Jade - Hi Sophia, my guess is that it sounds so low because the clarinet is in a different key from piano. If you wanted to play along with a piano part, you need to play everything one whole tone higher (C becomes a D). You can check any online tuner to find out if you are basically on pitch or not in "clarinet notes".

[@joshlandsburgh37]

Hi Michelle, If we’re tuning to a concert A what do we do in terms of the bottom octave? Low B obvs includes the right hand so doesn’t allow us to focus on the barrel?

[@ClarinetMentors]

Hi Josh, I usually try both the high and low B, and tune accordingly. Many concert bands will tune to Concert Bb instead, which works generally more easily for many band instruments. That allows us to tune low C first, then the higher octave. It may make sense to do some work with a tuner outside of your rehearsals so that you are already pretty familiar with the tuning tendencies of your clarinet. It makes it easier to tune when you hear the A.

[@joshlandsburgh37]

Thank you! I normally play clarinet in either orchestras or big bands, so am either tuning to an oboe’s A or tuning to a piano’s A as part of a sax section.

[@haulinpollen]

Hi Michelle. I have a korg tuner set to 440 and it is adjustable. I am trying to learn how to tune and when I play a b flat it comes out registering a low a flat. Problem is all my joints are in as far as they can be. Please tell me what I am doing wrong, right or whichever. Please! Thanks Patti nisbet

[@Qladstone]

That's because all notes played a B-flat clarinet should sound one tone lower. Play a C instead, and you should hear a B-flat.

[@malena3141]

Hi I have an another problem... some notes sounds sharp (when all notes open or only 1 hole is closed) and opposite - when all notes are closed, the lowest note sound too flat (its B in tuner in 1st octave and A in second octave)... What can be the problem? only middle notes are good in intonation🥺 so I try to adjust wd blowing and angle , but very less difference... also for sharp sounding notes I try to press less on the reed, so it helps no make them sound more flat, but same time very weak n uncontrollable ... Pls suggest if anyone know what to do.. I got an instrument second (3rd?) hand... buffet Evette, mouthpiece Vandoren b45

[@jiayichua1190]

Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️

[@landonarchuleta2495]

Mine sounds like there is a lot of spit in it and it is flat! How do I fix this!

[@leftatcostco3367]

Swab your clarinet, more warm air, and a tight embouchure..

[@heejolim684]

If it sounds stuffy, you might need a new reed.

[@craigparrott828]

Hello, why dont you tune by pulling out the mouth piece? Also to get middle c in tune my barrel is almost pulled out to the cork is that normaly or what would you suggest?

[@ClarinetMentors]

Often if people pull the mouthpiece out, it tends to create a small air leak, and that will cause extra resistance while blowing, and your tone will suffer. The barrel is designed to be pulled for tuning. It sounds like you are pulling a fair bit, but this is not uncommon. If you are always pulling a lot, you might want to investigate a longer barrel at some point. That usually evens out the tuning a bit better than just pulling out a barrel that may be too short for you. An average Bb clarinet barrel is 65 mm. There are many version in a 66, 67 or even 68. It sounds like you could easily use a 66, and maybe even a 67. Backun Musical makes the barrels that I use, and my setup is quite sharp, so I use 67.5 or 68. (That is a bit unusual, but it works for me.)

[@craigparrott828]

Ok thanks for your answer. Ill have a look into longer brarrels as the over all tuning is consistant in all the ranges. Many thanks foe your vidoes they have made quite an impact on my playing in the three weeks i have been looking at them. www.facevoom.com/musicwithreeds

[@cynthiachinenyewa]

Ate you the girl from Backun Musical Services?

[@xianyang7901]

Thank you for the video. It helped alot!

[@omaribanez9092]

Hola amiga!! I'm very happy to see your videos. Thank you :) It's normal that the tuning of a clarinet is almost half tone higher? Saludos desde México!

[@ClarinetMentors]

Hi Omar, a half tone high is higher than usual, but you can experiment with barrels and mouthpieces to help bring that pitch down.

[@dwdunn5601]

@@ClarinetMentors Could the clarinet not be a standard Bflat but a C or even an antique high-pitch Bflat(when standard pitch was higher than A440Hz). I started on the latter many years ago.Your advice worked on it well enough for a beginner, and probably would for the modern C clarinet sometimes used along with an A clarinet and Bflat in a symphony orchestra.

[@dwdunn5601]

If Omar,s clarinet is a modern Bflat, it is more likely embouchure problems that you have discussed in detail are involved-or a mechanical problem with the instrument that requires repair. Many thanks for your interesting-and very well presented- KZbin up-loads on clarinet playing,which I have recently discovered. I am considering the possibility of playing clarinet again,several decades after I quit as a professional.I still have my old Buffet clarinet(Albert system!!!) and Selmer alto saxophone.If they cannot be rehabilitated, I will continue my music interests with the recorder,Irish tin flute and ocarina---they require much less wind pressure and can play some serious music.

[@crabapplec5207]

Hey not sure if anyone already asked this, but my clarinet is EXTREMELY flat. It started a while ago I've had it repaired which had a slight impact, but it still is quite sharp. I'm starting to get really frustrated I can't seem to find anything that brings up my pitch! Help!

[@pae913]

Have you tried getting a shorter barrel? Once I got a mouthpiece that made my clarinet super flat so I got a new barrel and now it's really sharp

[@crabapplec5207]

Yeah I'm getting a new clarinet this month so that might just fix my problems

[@ThisCallumPerson]

Great videos! The left hand on my clarinet sounds fine, but when i go into the lower three notes they sound a little flat, while the upper three are perfectly in tune, also it's very difficult to produce sound from the reed on these three lower notes. Is this normal? How would I fix these issues? (I play in lower register for now because I've literally picked up the clarinet a few days ago).

[@ThisCallumPerson]

Does the embouchure have to change with the pitch?

[@ClarinetMentors]

Callum Purvis If the lower three notes are not sounding easily, the most likely (and very common cause) is that your fingers are not completely covering the holes on the right hand. Looking in a mirror may help. Your pitch will stabilize once you have been playing for a while.

[@jdawson62]

I don't know why but my tone is often airy. Could this be because of a new reed? Or my embouchre is not right. Pls help

[@ClarinetMentors]

+Jake Dawson Hi Jake - I am guessing a bit without hearing you, but usually common causes of airiness are: 1) Air speed is not fast enough (these videos may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5OXkHuFrNh4nqc - activating blowing muscles and kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmrRlWWtgbJ1haM - whisper technic 2) Reed is too stiff (although if you speed up your air, this may no longer be an issue 3) Mechanical - there is a problem with your mouthpiece or instrument. You could ask a more experienced player to test out your clarinet just to rule this option out. I hope that helps!

[@adrienplazas554]

Very interesting, thanks! 🙂

[@suejanemalupin9002]

How can i tune my clarinet?the C key on piano, produce A sound on my clarinet and not B flat?

[@maxdowney5012]

Sue Jane Malupin it sounds like you have a clarinet in the key of A either thst or your extremely sharp.

[@saeed1642]

1: "The way we make instrument lower, is to make it bigger. The way we make it plays higher is to make it shorter". 2: "The warmer instrument gets, the sharper it goes" Isn't it contradictory? When it become warmer, it expands and become bigger so lower should be, not higher I wonder?

[@peterbianca9229]

It comes down the length of the clarinet. The longer the clarinet is, the further the air has to travel=pitch goes FLAT. The shorter the clarinet is, the shorter the air has to travel=pitch goes SHARP. This is why the length of the barrel as well as "pulling out" at various spots on the clarinet affects the tuning.

[@1cleandude]

Longer not bigger!🙏🏻

[@国士-b7u]

My clarinet is too sharp.How to make better

[@kara8825]

@MasterGamer 2000 think youre a little late bud

[@rykamadness7398]

show use how to use tuneing rings on the clarinet.

[@ClarinetMentors]

I haven't used tuning rings much. I have upgraded to longer barrels that help me to play better in tune. I know that some people find them very helpful if they play sharp.

[@kittycat653]

thank you. you have helped me soooo much!!! I appreciate it!! THANKSSSSS!!! :) :D

[@brianlittleton4714]

Michele, I would sure like to know what kind of clarinet your playing. Maybe I could possibly be a copycat, and sound more like you. Brian

[@ClarinetMentors]

Hi Brian, As you likely know, equipment responds a bit differently with everyone. One of the most important pieces of gear that affects sound quality is your mouthpiece. I must have a strange mouth, because what sounds good for me, often doesn't work with most people. I play on a Lomax mouthpiece, and many of my students have as well. He makes many sizes, so there is something for everyone. I often recommend a Vandoren M13 Lyre or M30 to my students as good mouthpieces that generally work well for most people. My Bb clarinet is a Buffet R13, but it is greatly enhanced by my Backun Musical barrels and bells. I love how they warm up and enhance my sound. I encourage you to try out some other things. It is always fun to do.

[@ladislaopradojr.6494]

Thank you!

[@bryanapper6687]

Thank you.

[@3rdpdwilson865]

Most of my notes are flat when I check them with a tuner.

[@hollymunfordbloe4744]

FALL BLESSINGS

[@thebritandtheyank3821]

This reminds me of earl bates, "worksheets"..... Pedantic to the hilt, the allegiance to the obvious/self evident is unfortunate. I've NEVER heard that clarinets are designed to play sharp - certainly flutes and saxophones aren't either. Please get back to me to explain!, my students are waiting!

[@jessiehermit9503]

I use the one on my phone.

[@ClarinetMentors]

Me too. It is just handy to have one on hand.

[@mathewwilliams2523]

Why did she make me mew?! 12:54

[@danmurphy4221]

A good repair shop can easily cut the barrel a couple mm's rather than buy a new one.

[@lukesgameingland9405]

you CANT tune a cleranet

[@xavlamou4401]

You can fix your intonation, wich in itself is like tuning an instrument since you are fixing the pitch Its like changing the sadle height on a guitar so the intonation is right when playing, will make the guitar play in tune at each fret

[@leotard2536]

Not helpful, I play flat, and this was a waste of time.