Klarinet Archive - Posting 000339.txt from 1996/11

From: Don Gross <DGross1226@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Contrabass Clarinet
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 1996 23:09:09 -0500

In a message dated 96-11-15 20:08:03 EST, you write:

> However, the mid-staff D-E (4th line to 4th space)refuse to speak easily.
I can >sometimes slur into them, but can't simplyattack the note. The horn
is an old (serial >no. under 200) Leblanc metal contra (the"looped" sort)
with two octave keys. The first >octave key lifts one pad forthe throat Bb,
and another pad (octave vent) for any other >note: this keyseems to work well
for all notes F (5th line) and higher. The second >octave key opens another
octave vent further down the horn (farther from the
>mouthpiece), and seems to work fine for the 3rd line B and 3rd space C.

Grant, I've never seen the two register key model. The earliest one I've
played is No. 336 (straignt model) which has a single register key that
actuates a 3-way system. With that system, there's a "break" in the vent key
operation in that when playing the 4th line D, the vent hole closest to the
mpc is OPEN and the next vent hole "down" is CLOSED and when playing 4th
space E by lifting he right-hand little finer, they "reverse." These vents
must be either completly open or closed. Leaks or gaps in either of them can
be disaster. Check the linkages from the right-hand little finger to the
register key system. While playing the throat Bb, both small vents are
closed and a larger pad some 2" further down opens, hence a 3-way system
which was either designed by G. Leblanc or R. Goldberg.

>I'm using a "Woodwind" (Vito) contrabass mpc, with a Rovner ligature and
>Vandoren 2 reeds. (I've tried two other mpcs: the original mpc fits the
>horn well, but I can't find reeds quite wide enough to fit it. The restorer
>I bought the horn from provided a narrower mpc with an adapter to fit it
>into the neck, but it doesn't work as well as the Vito.)

Van Doren reeds should fit the "original" Leblanc mouthpiece even though you
might not see full rail-to-rail converage. When you put your hand over the
end of the neck and pull a vacuum, the reed should stick to the mouthpiece
table for a few seconds and then "pop" loose. However, I would seriously
consider having a mouthpiece maven reface it. There are three folks in the
Los Angeles area that I know of including Charlie Bay, Chris French, and
Steve Roberts who work with studio musicians and their contrabass clarinets
regularly. They can also regulate that register key system from hell.

Don Gross
La Canada, CA

p.s. Welcome to the wonder world of contrabass clarinets. I'm currently
diagnosing a stuffy throat Bb and a C# below the staff that actually
"wobbles." The stuffiness of the throat Bb can be corrected by using the
most relaxed embouchure possible and the wobbly C# goes away with a stiffer
reed and/or switching from a VITO to the original Leblanc mouthpiece.

p.p.s. When all else fails, you might want to check with the folks at
Leblanc in Kenosha.