Klarinet Archive - Posting 000871.txt from 1997/11

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Leblanc Bass Clarinet
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 1997 23:33:54 -0500

Sarah,
I'm rather surprised that an experienced clarinetist has to ask if
a stock mouthpiece might be responsible for mediocre sound and response.
Of course it can be! I own a beautiful Leblanc Low C bass and I sounded
HORRENDOUS on my old mouthpiece. It is also possible, of course, that the
reeds are not the right ones for the mouthpiece, or that the ligature is
not very useful. However, another mouthpiece is definitely a good place to
start. Also, is the instrument in good shape? Bass clarinets are
notorious for being leaky. When they are, they don't play well at
all. Don't knock Leblancs. They have their own idiosyncracies nd
you will not get the Selmer sound with one. However, they can be wonderful
instruments.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Sun, 23 Nov 1997, Sarah Rodgerson wrote:

> Hello. I recently graduated from high school. I was lucky enough in high school to have a Selmer Low C Bass Clarinet, which was about eight years old. Beautiful horn. Liked it so much I named it!
>
> Now I am in college, playing for several ensembles. I am really frustrated because now I am playing on a rather new Leblanc Bass Clarinet, low Eb model... I am just not getting the sound that I am used to. What can I do to improve the sound? I am playing on a Leblanc stock mouthpiece. Would another type possibly improve my sound? I was a Texas All-State player last year. Now I'm embarrased to play bass clarinet in my dorm. My tone is terrible!
>
> Sarah Rodgerson
>
> Freshman-- Rice University
>