Klarinet Archive - Posting 000005.txt from 1996/08

From: David Atkinson <davida@-----.AU>
Subj: [Fwd: Re: C Clarinet Mouthpiece]
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 05:53:33 -0400

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--
David Atkinson
20 Lt Bowen Rd
Bowen Mountain
2753

davida@-----.au

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Message-ID: <32007D70.73A1@-----.au>
Date: Thu, 01 Aug 1996 20:48:32 +1100
From: David Atkinson <davida@-----.au>
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To: ejlim@-----.AU
Subject: Re: C Clarinet Mouthpiece
References: <199607311632.CAA14138@-----.au>
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Elizabeth Lim wrote:
>
> Hi! I'd like to introduce myself as new to the group.
>
> I am a professional clarinettist based in Sydney, Australia. My main
> work at the moment is playing E flat, B flat and bass clarinet in the
> Phantom of the Opera Orchestra here. I also am active in the freelance
> scene here as well as tutoring at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and
> other teaching and adjudicating.
>
> I have a question for the group: I own a C Clarinet (Buffet Crampon) but
> am finding it difficult to find a suitable mouthpice for it. I recently
> attempted to use my B flat Vandoren B40 mouthpiece with it in a
> professional situation but this proved most unsatisfactory - apart from
> the fact it was too loose for the clarinet, it was too flat (and I am
> sure this is not due to me!).
>
> Does anyone know if there is such thing as a C clarinet mouthpiece (do
> any of the French companies such as Vandoren make one) and if so how can
> I obtain one? Or any other solutions?
> --
> Elizabeth Lim

Dear Elizabeth,
Guess what! I had exactly the same problem with my brand
new C clarinet. (Buffet Crampton) Actually my name is Jasmine Burgess.
You used to tutor me at the Con high. Anyway I now play with the RAAF
Air Command Band in Richmond and I used the C clarinet for the Oboe
Solos in Rhapsody in Blue and although I love the sound of the
instrument I found it far too flat also. There is such thing as a C
clarinet mouthpiece as far as the one which is sold with the instrument
however it doesn't necessarily play sharper than a B Flat Mouthpiece.
If the pitch is just under then there is great hope with a selmer C05
120 mouthpiece as they play really quite sharp. My clarinet was actually
made way under as was testified by Eric Adam when we went to use his
equipment a couple of weeks ago. I think it was pitched at about 435-438
and I also knew that it wasn't me. Considering it is still under
warranty I sent it back to the Factory and demanded either an instrument
that plays in tune or the money back. If yours was purchased recently
then I suggest you do the same. The reason that these instruments are so
under is that because C clarinets are so rarely demanded in Australia
that Buffet have either deliberately sent us a Dud batch, or otherwise
have not bothered to check the instruments. Anyway GoodLuck, but you may
find that for yours and everyones peace of mind it is much more
satisfactory to transpose the parts (sacrificing the unique timbre of
the C clarinet of course) Being a bit bright can be forgiven but being
flat is definitely worse!

Cheers!
Jasmine Burgess
20 Lt Bowen Rd
Bowen Mountain
2753

davida@-----.au

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