Intonation Tendencies of Wind Instruments
Clarinet

by
Fred J. Allen, SFA Director of Bands

· Pulling barrel (then middle joint) = flatter, pushing in = sharper

· Barrel length:  Shorter and longer barrels are available

· Range:  Throat tones are sharp on almost every instrument, especially the A and B-flat.  Altissimo register = sharp in more experienced players, though young players will often be a little flat when learning these notes.

· Embouchure:  biting or pinching = sharp, loose = flat

· Temperature:  cold = flat, hot = sharp

· Dynamic level:  loud = flat, soft = sharp

· Reed strength:  soft reed = flat, hard reed = sharp

· Angle of entry:  held too far out = flat, held too close = sharp

· Lay of the mouthpiece:  closed = sharp, open = flat

Low Clarinets

· Pulled out between neck and upper joint = flat, pushed in = sharp

· All other factors are the same as the clarinet (except barrel length)