Klarinet Archive - Posting 001007.txt from 1998/02
From: "Jason Hsien" <jasonavhs@-----.com>
Subj: Re: alto mpcs
Date: Sat, 28 Feb 1998 07:24:21 -0500
-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew Hanson <mchanson@-----.com>
:Roger,
:
:You obviously haven't visited a marching contest in East Texas. Not only
I've never visited one beofre either, but marching with alto clarinets is
just wrong... (Of course, that's IMO of course)
:do they march alto clarinets, they march with basses as well. This is
Bass Clarinet marches, I've seen, mostly because I used to be one.
:very common. Depending on the size of the school or band, I've seen
:anywhere from 1 to 14 bass clarinets marched in the East Texas bands.
14 bass clarinets?!?!?! Commit some of those kids to Bari Sax! It projects
better and still offers a great sound.(not that I'm saying bass clarinets
aren't worthy or anything...)
:Most of them still march military. This is actually more impressive than
:it may sound. Of course since it is military style, they are usually in
Military style sounds nice, but there's something to be said for creativity.
I live in California, and my high school has been to competitions in
Northern and Southern Cal. We seem to enjoy more of a "theatre" like show,
with props, acting, guard/dancers, majorettes, and singing. They are
visually pleasing as well as very nicely and orderly done.
:straight lines, or rows. I've been to state marching contest and seen Eb
:contras marched due to small tuba section. It worked somehow.
Eb Contra? Next thing you know, you'll see tiny freshman lugging around
plastic Bb Contras around the field (If they can even march while holding it
up)
:As for the alto mouthpiece, a Selmer C* will work fine, but if on a
:student budget stick with the inexpensive Bundy. After all, it is for
:marching.
No argument here. But, since the person is marching with an alto clarinet,
one must assume that he or she will play it for concert as well (I very
highly doubt the director put them on alto JUST for marching), so the Selmer
C* isn't a bad choice. Nor are considering Vandorens. But check what brand
your alto is. Sometimes (absolutely _not_ always, especially when Buffet
Clarinets are involved), the best choice is to go with the mouthpiece made
by the company who made your instrument, because they know your instrument
and it's design. But, don't rely on this alone.
Also, a good thing to do would be to go to a local music store and have them
recommend mouthpieces. Most of the time, music shop folks are honest about
this kind of thing. Test a few of them. Then, I would suggest you go look
around for a good price on the one you like. (Always Always ALWAYS look at
Woodwind/Brasswind first. They have great prices!)
Hope this helps!
Jason Hsien
Student, Amador Valley High School
------------------------------------
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