How Barrel Wood Affects Clarinet Tone
The barrel is a small piece of the instrument, but it sits at the point where the mouthpiece meets the rest of the bore — which is why changing it changes more than its size suggests.
Read moreNotes on tonewood, sound, and the craft of clarinet bells and barrels — practical guides on choosing, upgrading, and caring for the wooden parts of your instrument, written by the makers at Elephant Foot.
The barrel is a small piece of the instrument, but it sits at the point where the mouthpiece meets the rest of the bore — which is why changing it changes more than its size suggests.
Read moreThe bell is where the sound leaves the instrument. Its material, wall thickness, and flare shape all play a role in how the lowest notes speak and how the sound carries into a room.
Read moreThree of the most commonly chosen tonewoods for clarinet bells and barrels, and how they differ in density, character, and appearance.
Read moreA barrel or bell upgrade is one of the most cost-effective ways to change how an instrument feels and sounds — but it helps to know what it can and can’t do first.
Read moreWooden barrels and bells are durable, but like any wooden instrument part, they respond to humidity and handling. A little routine care goes a long way.
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