Klarinet Archive - Posting 000003.txt from 1969/12

From: kurtheisig@-----.net
Subj: Re: [kl] Basset horn vs alto clarinet
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500

Stan,

I really believe that ignorance is the primary thing behind most of the opinions we hear about alto clarinet.

Here are my observations on where the negative comes from.

1. Usually an alto clarinet is a school instrument poorly maintained. The alto clarinet, if adjusted properly is a fine instrument. Repairing it however, is something that should not be done by an amateur or even a general repairman.

2. Stock mouthpieces for any instrument are usually very poor, and on alto clarinets particularly so. I use a HEISIG, and have a few blanks left to make them for others.

3. Reeds. Even Vandoren is making an alto sax like reed instead of a true alto clarinet reed. I use alto clarinet reeds for myself and my students in proper dimensions, that are aged from the 60's. MARVELOUS difference! ( I have hundreds in stock.)

4. School band directors, in ignorance, usually put their weakest players on an instrument that is out of adjustment, has a very bad mouthpiece, and wrong reeds.
They hold the instrument in low esteem and pass on that prejudice to the whole band, which gets passed on......

5. Band directors, players and teachers spout off all kinds of nonsense reasons why the instrument is inferior. This usually has all of the couth of those that attack the accordion. (Kind of like this ignorant computer telling me couth is not a word!)

There ARE good alto clarinets out there. The Selmer 9 series is a fine professional instrument. The Vito in plastic is a surprisingly good instrument.

The basic rule I have with my students is that I will have to strip and re-build it, put a HEISIG mouthpiece with it, and we will use REAL alto clarinet reeds. The results are pretty fantastic!

A few years ago, I sat in in a Community College Band on alto clarinet. During rehearsal it was easy to bury the 12 clarinets, and the conductor was exuberantly shouting over the band...."I FORGOT how good an alto clarinet could sound!!"

Kurt Heisig
Kurt Heisig Music
1045 Water street
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 425-5658

14428C Big Basin Way
(back of the Wells Fargo Bank building)
Saratoga, Ca 95070

-----Original Message-----
>From: Morgul <Morgul@-----.net>
>Sent: Dec 24, 2006 9:03 AM
>To: klarinet@-----.org
>Subject: [kl] Basset horn vs alto clarinet
>
>Collective wisdom,
>
>At the risk of provoking a firestorm, please allow me to parade my
>ignorance.
>
>Basset horns, Dan's and others, are highly regarded specialized instruments.
>Alto clarinets, on the other hand, are just as roundly reviled. Why is this?
>
>Is it because most alto clarinets are made for and played by relative
>neophytes in marching bands, thus having neither the quality nor literature
>nor expertise usually found in players of basset horns? Are there
>significant differences in design and construction and, therefore, tone
>quality? Is there an inherent flaw in pitching one instrument in F and the
>other a whole step below? Is there such a thing as a "professional level"
>alto clarinet, and if so, who makes it, where/how is it used, and by whom?
>
>Thank you for your consideration. Nomex suit in place.
>
>Stan
>
>
>
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