Klarinet Archive - Posting 000021.txt from 1996/02

From: David Bourque <bassethn@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Alto clarinets and their problems
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 17:57:29 -0500

>I wonder to what extent the notorious reputation of alto clarinets is
>due in any way to the mouthpieces that are supplied by the
>manufacturer.

>So invariably an alto clarinet is played using the stock mouthpiece
>that comes with the instrument and such things have a history of being
>the cheapest and most poorly made element of any clarinet purchase.
>

We are playing the Gran Partita this week at the TSO. My partner in grime,
second clarinettist Joseph Orlowski is playing a stock Vandoren alto
clarinet mouthpiece with the new Buffet Prestige Bassethorn. He sounds
GREAT -- the instrument sounds GREAT!!

Buffet includes two different length necks for this new instrument. The
longer neck allows one to play a stock alto clar mouthpiece, which is a
little shorter than the Leblanc mouthpiece I play. I can play the Buffet
with the shorter neck and my Leblanc mpc.

My theory on the poor quality of alto clarinets is that they are dubious
acoustical entities. Bore size too big for the length? Clark Fobes,
whaddya think?

=========================================
David Bourque
Bass Clarinet, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Internet: bassethn@-----.com
=========================================

   
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