Klarinet Archive - Posting 000359.txt from 1997/03

From: Roger Lewis & Denise Gulliver-Lewis <pmflewis@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Eb playing
Date: Tue, 11 Mar 1997 20:20:59 -0500

On March 11, Jeff wrote:
> I am a neophyte e flat wannabe. Does anyone have advice on beginning an e
> flat career from scratch? I am a fairly experienced b flat and a
> clarinetter. Specifically, if I find an instrument, etc, how long does it
> generally take to get up and running to the point where I would be welcomed
> in an ensemble (assuming that I would be welcome anywhere)?
>
.............

As many others have written, you should adjust in no time at all if you
are already proficient on Bb. The trick is intonation. Find a good
mouthpiece! Brand will vary for you, but check them out on a tuner. Eb
clarinets run notoriously flat in the extreme upper register, so find a
mouthpiece that will help you compensate for this. Once you can run a
scale in tune (up to the D above the staff as someone suggested) you
should be ready to roll.
I also second the recommendation to use Bb reeds. Again, look for a
mouthpiece that has rails wide enough to accomodate this. You can take
the reeds down at the sides, too, if needed by sanding the reed on its
side. This will take a bit of practice before you can get them even,
though! You don't mention if you are looking at band or orchestra
work. If orchestra is it, you'll need to be checking out a few Eb
excerpts. Some of those parts are deadly if you are not prepared
(Daphnis in particular)

Hope this helps!

Denise Gulliver-Lewis
Principal Clarinet
Elkhart Symphony