The Clarinet Intonation Secrets You NEED To Know

[@darrenparkes9805]

Thank you for this video, it was immensely helpful, just returned back to clarinet after 40 years with a vengeance, enjoying all the advice from you professional clarinetist s , it’s appreciated so much

[@clarinetninja]

Hi Darren! I am glad that it was helpful. You sound like a person that would love the Clarinet Ninja Dojo. www.clarinetninja.com/dojo-landing There is lots of stuff like this for the members as well as live weekly calls...If you want to set up and appointment to talk about it, there is a caledndly link on the page I linked ;)

[@kennethhollenbeck7107]

hello, i'm enjoying your videos, I played Clarinet in the school band when I was 13 and 14 years old, I am now 83 years old with lots of time on my Hands, so I decided to take up the Clairnet again, just for my own enjoyment, thank you for the great instructions.

[@clarinetninja]

I love that story! The clarinet ninja dojo would be great for you! Email me if you want to know more [e-mail] I am trying to build a strong community of people with exactly your goals:)

[@kevincraig1039]

Just to say thanks, I enjoy your videos...Best Kev

[@clarinetninja]

Hi Kevin! Thanks for watching - it means a lot to me

[@bmcgar]

Hearing it is everything! I came up long before electronic tuners were available, when one learned to tune by ear and especially adjust, sharp or flat, with other ensemble members. Sometimes being right is not the right thing to be, and insisting that you're correct doesn't endear you to many of your colleagues.

[@desirehowland7737]

Bravp, bmcat! The meters hurt more than they help. First we have a false sense of where in tune is because they all use equal temperament and we can never play ET by ear...it sounds wrong even to novices. Secondly, as you mention, the other mature player is the reference. I am concertmaster of a fine semi-pro wind ensemble. I listen to the ensemble warming up and set my clarinet to the center of their pitch. I pass this one out to the band for a careful tuning. The fewer members who have to adjust, the better the band sounds! The electronic meter is stupid.

[@timurmuratovic7966]

Great video, really helpfull. Can you link or atleast say the name of the Adam Neely video

[@clarinetninja]

The link is in the description. The video is titled combination tones (I think)

[@TheTabwinner]

As a 50 + yr player and teacher i think you have some of the best videos on KZbin for clarinet players. Why not set Tonal Energy to Bb instruments so it shows actual pitch.

[@clarinetninja]

I got over my resistance to doing that in later videos. There is a big part of me that wants to speak of notes in sounding pitches. I am not sure where it comes from or if it’s a good thing. While I change it to clarinet pitch in later videos, in my real life I always have it set to sounding pitch. I don’t think this is an explanation grounded with evidence, but it’s the best I have:). Thanks for watching my videos!

[@bmcgar]

@@clarinetninja, since when do we rely on actual evidence these days? 🙂

[@desirehowland7737]

This was a GREAT DEMO! When you played the 4th and 5th intervals with the electronic tone it was easy to hear that, when the meter pointed to "in tune" positions, you were still out-of-tune. You simply should have said what we all need to hear: "DON'T use electronic meters...They are tuned to equal temperament which is NOT in tune!!!!" Well the tritone is in tune but not even the octave for acoustic instruments. Electronic tones can tune to the 1:2 ratio octave but it is not in tune for acoustic instruments.

[@clarinetninja]

Thank you for watching and commenting :) playing in tune is complicated scientifically, but not complicated intuitively. I totally agree - meters have limited value and tend to be used wrong

[@jamesdanderfer1299]

Excellent information. I forgot about tuning my scales to drones... time to get back at it. Thanks!

[@clarinetninja]

Maestro Danderfer! Thanks for watching my video and commenting:) talk to you soon

[@phantlers]

I've just acquired a clarinet. What with the dogs barking on one side and all the shouting and banging on the other, 13.03 is exactly the note I'm practicing for.

[@clarinetninja]

I am glad you have joined the clarinet community! please know this is here for you and free ;) www.clarinetninja.com/offers/hymm26zw/checkout

[@michaelmullmusic]

The lookback expression from the flutes and oboes 😂

[@clarinetninja]

Thanks for remarking on that! I thought it was hilarious but nobody said anything until now lol

[@bmcgar]

One of the things that I stress with my students is to start the note BEFORE looking at the tuner, then check it when their pitch is stable. I also encourage them to check their tuning of a note in a passage, not by starting with the pitch they want to check, but by playing the notes in the passage first, going up or down as the passage dictates, before checking the pitch that they will land on. Pitches rarely stand alone, not influenced by what's "around" them, even for the best players with the most stable embouchures and breath support. (You touched on that with the Kroepsch etude.)

[@desirehowland7737]

Just don't use the meter....it is tuned to equal temperament. The funny thing about ET is that it is intentionally OUT-OF-TUNE. on some intervals it is horrid. Using these devices will just help you play "So, So" out-of-tune.

[@61mab]

My C shows A# but maybe it's just my Bluegrass Banjo tuner? Bought the app. And Ah, I see Bb and a# so ... Don't know all of the setting et al but so far so good. All my other apps are for stringed instruments so this is fun. Have to put the 45' 8-10 Boosey Hawkes together and see where that is centered. (I've got the 56' Conn Director out for this vid) Thanks P.S. my barrel does want to be pulled out a tad. I might get some rings sizes to set the spacing? And you Should get recompense for pushing their app I put on a tab and my phone. The Shadow Knows! ( your note progression)

[@clarinetninja]

All the tuners will show the clarinet sounding one step above "concert" pitch. They can be set to show the clarinet note if you like. I wish they would pay me to push their app! Obviously, I would (and am) doing it for free because it is so darn good. Every clarinet barrel should be pulled out a bit to sound in tune. I have never enjoyed using tuning rings as they tend to fall on to the floor when I am unpacking and packing my stuff. They function well in the instrument though

[@61mab]

@@clarinetninja Watching this vid again, 'learnt' some app setting watching you. I can match those notes vocally so it's fun to reproduce them with you paused. Got some more points second time around (so far) Thanks Fun holding the phone to my monitor to catch the notes and tuning (though you do move through them rapid enough that it's hard to develop my +/- grade for you : )

[@61mab]

Watching again to make sure I was using the app and tuner correctly. Had an old Korg MA-20, you triggered another purchase, the K60, had a clip from another (Gold Tone BGT bluegrass strings) I don't use and plugged right in after finding I didn't order it, works perfectly.

[@sherrybirchall8677]

Im dealing with this issue right now. Im always flat, but especially the right hand low notes, which are all very flat. I don't know whether it's me or my instrument. I've bought a 64 mm barrel and it's pushed in all the way. Do i need to get a 62mm?

[@clarinetninja]

I think if this is happening with a 64mm barrel - the barrel is neither the problem nor a real long-term fix. I would first review any changes (no matter how small) that I had recently made in my equipment or approach to playing the clarinet. I would also go to my repair tech and see if they see anything. Questions for you; How flat is always flat? How much different is your pitch now than before? Where is your tuner calibrated? What strength reed are you playing? on what mouthpiece? How long have you been playing clarinet? That's kind of a lot of questions :) It's hard for me to be too confident without knowing a little more. My general advice is to keep calm - you will find the answer :) (I don't mean to imply that you are not calm...but just in case)

[@samelliot9186]

This has helped me with my flute but my flute is in b flat so its base key is b flat not c 👍

[@cipriancorneanu6120]

So, first of all.. should we set our tuners to 441 ? Most tuners default tune at 440 and even though i tried with both 440 and 442 (most violinists in my country tune to that) i couldn't find the right fit. So 441 is generally best and should be used because it's in between, right ?

[@clarinetninja]

If your world tunes to 442 I would put it there. In the United States we act as we are going to play at 440 but never actually do it…so in my part of the world 441 is the most practical. If your friends and colleagues tune to 442 - in my estimation that’s where you should practice

[@marcelocampoamor4761]

In an orchestra all the strings and winds are tuned with the oboes A=442 Hz that's where it comes from. The piano is normally tuned to A=440 Hz

[@TheMist470]

Hello. I was wondering if the ligature screws pointing up makes any difference in the sound, or it's just a personal preference. I've noticed several clarinet players doing the same thing, and it got my curiosity. Thanks in advance for the answer. I love your content!

[@clarinetninja]

Good question! Ligatures are made two ways; screws next to the reed or screws on top. Of all the differences with clarinet equipment we use, this may be the most insignificant. However, it is important that one uses the ligature in the way that it was intended to be used. If the screws are meant to be on the reed - that particular ligature will work far better that way. Conversely, if the screws are meant to be on top of the mouthpiece, that ligature will work far better THAT way. How can you tell the difference? When looking at the reed on the mouthpiece, the screws will be on the right side. Don’t consider it a choice - once the ligature is in your possession. The choice of where your ligature screws go is made when you purchase the ligature. Hope that helps!:)

[@phillipshearman5597]

Hello PaRaDox, Pertaining to the ligature screws...try turning them until they feel a little less than "tight" then; look at where the most comfortable position the hand is in when it releases itself...more than not it will be pointed up. It is the way the hand was designed not the ligature. Or make a step up yourself and buy the Silverstein ligature which wraps the mouthpiece/reed structure and adjusts the pressure with a rotary/non winged single screw.

[@lukeserrano62]

You didn't explain why Buffetts should be tuned in two places. :(

[@clarinetninja]

I am not sure I have a great answer to that question other than the instrument plays better in tune between the hands that way.

[@lukeserrano62]

@@clarinetninja ok cheers, will give it a try with my humble E12.

[@dorothyvoloski8847]

@@clarinetninjabbq loop loop pool

[@DT-622]

It’s because Buffets are designed to play at 442 (standard pitch in France). Many people find that the longer 66mm barrel PLUS pulling out in the middle maintains the proportions of the instrument better for playing at 440 or 441. This is for French instruments, not for most UK or Japanese instruments.

[@lukeserrano62]

Thanks David; glad I’ve moved on to a Yamaha CSG, which I love!

[@HelloooThere]

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