Klarinet Archive - Posting 000077.txt from 1995/01

From: Kathy Nydegger <kathyn@-----.EDU>
Subj: Wanted: Contrabass players
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 1995 18:01:44 -0500

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Hi all!

I just subscribed to this list 2 days ago, so please excuse me if these
questions have been asked/answered lately. I play bass clarinet in a
community band and just last week got a hold of a Bb contrabass which I'm
attempting to get used to so I can play it in band. I'm seeking other
contrabass players to answer some questions for me:

1. What reeds do you use and where do you get them (preferably as cheap
as possible)? FYI, the CB is a Leblanc with a (I'm assuming this) medium
stock mouthpiece. I usually play Vandoren 3 1/2's on my Bb and Vandoren
2 1/2's on the bass, both with medium-open mouthpieces. Every music
store I've been to around here tries to sell me bari sax reeds, which are
too small! Bass sax reeds fit, but they're $6.00 a piece, if they play
on a CB like tenor reeds do on my bass, I want no part of them! The
reeds I was given with the instrument are fibercane (yuk!!!!!!)

2. Is it normal to get dizzy and light-headed when you first start out
on CB, because of all the air you need to fill the horn? I don't
remember any such problems when I first switched to bass from Bb. (Or
maybe it's these darn fibercane reeds?)

I'd appreciate any feedback you could give me on this.

BTW, are the postings concerning Stoltzman, Kenny G, etc. "normal" for
this group? I was looking for a group of "average" clarinetists to
discuss technical stuff (such as my above questions) with, not a bunch of
highbrows who ridicule each other on their personal opinions of others'
playing. If this isn't the forum I'm looking for, please let me know.

Just for the record: I'd rather see Kenny G streaking than Stoltzman! :-)

Kathy Nydegger