Klarinet Archive - Posting 000771.txt from 1995/03

From: Lee Callet <LCallet@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Soprano Saxophone
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 1995 14:13:56 -0500

A good Soprano, like the new Selmer, and Yamaha pro series, have eliminated
most of the pitch problems found in the earlier models. Some Yanigasawas are
good. The older sopranos, especially old Beuschers and Conns, including the
curved ones, were sometimes badly out of tune. They are all still a little
quirky. I don't think a soft reed and "lipping" for pitch will ever get you
to play in tune. Mouthpiece is very important. Soprano is probably easier
to play than clarinet, although the mouthpiece is small. The octave key
plays a true octave, unlike the clarinet, which plays a 12th. The fingering
is pretty similar to the clarinet, but there are no open holes, so slipping
and misplaced fingers are not much of a problem. Like any musical
instrument, tone quality is the MAIN thing, and while a good mouthpiece and
instrument help immensely, the bottom line is your ear. I would think it
much easier to go to soprano as a double of clarinet, than to learn clarinet
after playing soprano. Lee Callet