Klarinet Archive - Posting 001389.txt from 1998/05

From: Shouryu Nohe <jnohe@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] help with EEb contra-alto, please!
Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 18:19:32 -0400

On Thu, 28 May 1998, Michael B. McDonald wrote:
> I just purchased a used Bundy behemoth, and should get it back
> from the shop this afternoon. I'm hoping that my repairman will
> have helped correct the problem I've experienced with this horn:
> the lowest notes do not articulate properly, and the instrument,
> as I received it, has no volume or ability to project in the
> lowest register. Now, I think the latter fact rather strange,
> given the sheer amount of resonite and metal that go into making
> one of these things.

Ag, that doesn't make a difference. I could make a piccolo out of twelve
tons of concrete, and it would still be annoying to the ears.

Lots of material doesn't mean lots of sound. Saxes are thinner than
clarients, and are MUCH easier to play louder on. (Just ask the people
who stood behind me in marching band season.)

> I've played bass clarinets, and have found
> no problem projecting strong sound with even inexpensive
> instruments. So I'm desperately hoping that this problem isn't
> typical of contra-alto clarinets.

I've nae had the problem - it's most likely your set up.

> I also inherited a rather wimpy, Bundy #3 mouthpiece, and wonder
> whether this isn't part of the problem. I'm using Rico #3,
> one-size-fits-all contrabass reeds with this mouthpiece, and may
> try some #4 reeds, just to see if that makes a difference. Does
> anyone here use Marca reeds? Are they worth the expense?

Yup - there's your problem. The Bundy mouthpiece isn't a gem, that's for
sure. And Rico reeds...they aren't made for REAL playing. Get some
Vandorens. The Cbass Vandies are one-sizers as well, but work
wonderfully. But you may want to try bari sax reeds as well - they may
give you a better sound.

Marcas are okay - but Vandies are far more resonant. Marcas tend to turn
the sound edgy and reedy as you ascend into the clarion and beyond.
Vandies will give you strong rich lows, and very mellow highs - in fact,
the clarion is very cello like.

> Also, has anyone tried a Selmer C** contra-alto mouthpiece?

Good mouthpiece. I prefer the C* myself, but that's just me. The
mouthpiece will be a vast improvement - mainly because it was designed
specifically for Bundy/Selmer basses. It won't work too well on a Selmer
or a Buffet bass. The HS* is something you might also want to look into
(I tried the HS* on the regular bass...good, but like the C* better.)

> Since they are relatively inexpensive, trying one of these may be
> my next step. I am primarily a saxophone player, and used to
> fairly open mouthpieces. I realize that clarinet mouthpieces
> probably tend to be less open than sax mouthpieces, but the Bundy
> #3 strikes me as absurdly narrow, given the airstream one needs
> to generate to really get that contra-alto going.

I prefer a fairly medium to close mouthpiece on my basses. The closer it
it is, the easier it is to play all registers, but volume goes down.

Shouryu Nohe
Professor of SCSM102, New Mexico State Univ.
http://web.nmsu.edu/~jnohe; ICQ 6771552
Coffee Drinker, Musician, Otaku, Jesus Freak, Admirer of Women
(Not necessarily in that order)
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