Klarinet Archive - Posting 000801.txt from 1998/02

From: J & K Morgan <morgan@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Bass Clarinet Reeds.
Date: Sat, 21 Feb 1998 12:49:43 -0500

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Tenor sax reeds will work, but you lose the "depth" of sound that is obtainable
with properly adjusted bass clarinet reeds. I will use a tenor sax reed when
nothing else seems to work but the bass clarinet reeds are preferable to my ear as
they seem to give more overtones and color when I play.

I have had to discipline myself to check carefully each reed I use and adjust
first for balance. When the reed is properly balanced, I will then adjust for
response.

Tenor reeds often can be used out of the box, but is a rare find of a bass reed
that is useable without a bit of work.

To have the clarinet speak properly in all registers, it must be carefully set up
by a competent repair man. Only when the pads are tight and the heights and spring
tensions set will this occur. (I know from experience.) The reeds will not solve
leaky pad problems and poor setup.

When this is done, get out a good scale book and pretend you are a soprano
clarinet.

When playing it a clarinet choir, play one or two markings higher than noted. The
bass needs more volume to balance the top end of the choir - or have the sopranos
play less than noted. Hope this helps.

Good luck.

John Morgan
Bass Clarinet -Prince George Community Band

Benjamin Leon wrote:

> Greetings!
>
> OK...here goes....
> a band director I work with (who is a fine clarinetist in his own right)
> Mentioned that I should not use bass clarinet reeds.
> Instead, he mentioned using tenor sax reeds. Usually med soft ala LaVoz.
> I asked why and was told that the length of the bass Cl reed is usually longer
> than that of the normal positioning of the reed on the mouthpiece.
>
> Has anyone used something different on the bass clarine (reeds) to get the
> instrument to speak in all registers? Anyone have any tips on playing in a cl
> choir with this instrument??
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Ben
> BLeon@-----.edu

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