Klarinet Archive - Posting 000127.txt from 1995/03

From: William Turnidge <LestonT@-----.COM>
Subj: Alto Clarinet
Date: Sat, 4 Mar 1995 21:49:47 -0500

I,ve been enjoying all the conversation about e fers and the performance
experiences. It almost sounds like a love/hate relationship. I know that
playing alto clarinet is a love/hate relationship. I've been pressed into
service to cover an alto clarinet part over the years in the Tacona Concert
Band because nobody else in the section is willing. I have only been able to
borrow Bundy models from high school directors who never use them. I always
get plenty of praise from the other clarinet players for my "fine intonation"
and "tone quality", but I am suspicious it's just because they want to make
sure I am the designated player instead of them. The last time I played I
used a Portnoy mouthpiece with a 2.5 Rico alto clarinet reed. Do people
actually play on professional quality alto clarinets and does it sound any
better than a student model? Is there any difference reeds? (Rico vs.
Vandorens)