Klarinet Archive - Posting 000361.txt from 1994/10

From: Gerry Evoniuk <Gerald.Evoniuk@-----.BITNET>
Subj: Re: Contrabass clarinet
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 13:48:56 -0400

I am going to give you some hints about playing contrabass clarinet from the
viewpoint of the repair bench.

Some problems I see with contrabass clarinets are:

1. If it is a Leblanc or has a Leblanc mouthpiece, watch what reeds you buy.
Every Leblanc contra mouthpiece I have seen has a MUCH wider window and
requires a wide reed such as a Vandoren. In fact Vandoren is the only reed
I've seen that covers the window properly. I often see people buy narrower
reeds because they are cheaper.

2. The longer straighter instruments are the easiest to adjust. So as a
general rule they are in better shape especially if the instrument is owned
by a school.

3. Since most repairmen only see contras a few times a year. It's usually
right before a concert so there is no time to do a thourgh job or the school
has no money. If the instrument is one of the metal wrap arounds the number
of adjustments double. If the pads are old and hard or are seated with a
deep crease it can be impossible to adjust.

4. I also feel most Bb players going to contra play with far too tight an
embouchure causing the upper register not to speak.

My two cents. Good Luck!!

******************************************
Gerald Evoniuk
Instrument repair technician
School of Music, Box 870405
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-0405
(602)965-4502
Fax 602-965-2659
email Gerald.Evoniuk@-----.EDU