Klarinet Archive - Posting 000476.txt from 1995/05

From: Paul A Jacyk <pjacyk@-----.EDU>
Subj: many questions
Date: Fri, 19 May 1995 06:40:25 -0400

Hello,

I have been lurking a while on this list and now have many questions (oh no !?)
I'm just getting back into clarinet playing again after a while off during
oh so fun engineering classes at school.

1) How do I have the listserver send a list of commands, the one I had is now
gone. I wondered if there was a way to ftp daily or weekly "logs" containing the
full text of the KLARINET traffic. The traffic is so high on the list lately,
and many one line messages that might be better to send to one person. Lots of
mail.

2) What sort of tuners are most people using for Bb clarinets ? I'm thinking
about a Korg AT-1 or AT-2 and don't really know what the differences are.
I figured people here would know much more about tuners than some sales person
incorrectly reading specs off of a brochure at the mail order places.
The AT-2 is about $40 less than the AT-1 and appears to have a larger range.
I have heard that the AT-1 is better (faster, more accurate, better microphone,
and sounds pitches) than the AT-2, but has a smaller range. Is the range of
the AT-1 suitable for the entire range of a Bb clarinet ? What are feelings
about these tuners ?

3) I have the opportunity to buy a Leblanc Symphonie (30-40 years old? , serial
number 4301) and wondered if anyone knows how much it may be worth ? Are there
guides for used clarinets like for used cars that I could look this up in ?
When the Leblanc was new what class of clarinet was it ? Was is at the same
level in the old line of naming as a new Leblanc Concerto ?
The clarinet seems to be ok, the pads are in nice shape and no wood cracks.
The only problem (as I can tell): the joints are a little wishy washy. It
seems to play ok (I haven't played a very good clarinet so I don't have much
to compare the Leblanc to). There aren't too many music stores around here
(the open spaces of New Mexico) except for albuqurque 1.5 hours away. At least
Eddie Daniels is only 30 minutes away in Santa Fe when not traveling :) !!

4) In a band I have been playing with I can always hear everyone around me
much louder than myself. Do other people hear themselves as being quieter than
other people (maybe some effect from being so close to my own horn ? )
Is there something I'm doing wrong, is there any way to fix this. When I try
toblow harder (play louder ?) the reed clamps shut against the mouthpiece. Even
when it doesn't close there is a certain dynamic level I can't seem to exceed.
On a good day my sound is ok, but far too quiet, stuffy, and inflexible. I'm in
search of a way to get much louder sound that has an "edge". By "edge" I mean
the special mixture of overtones that makes "the" clarinet sound, light? or
dark? .. I don't know
Could it be the instrument, my mouthpiece, or strangely adjusted reeds ?

My setup: Leblanc Symphonie, Rico mouthpiece 3C, Vandoren V12 3-3.5

The mouthpiece and my mouth :) appear to be the weakest parts ? How would I
go about buying a new mouthpiece ? Any recommendations ?

5) Aside: I'm not sure if has been proposed here but would anyone be interested
in an online group clarinet chat ? The pipe organ list was talking about this,
maybe it would work for this group as well?

Thanks !!!,

Paul

---------
Paul Jacyk Chemical Engineering Graduate Student
jacyk@-----.gov
when it works http://cheme18.eng.ohio-state.edu/~jacyk