Klarinet Archive - Posting 001184.txt from 1999/03

From: "Marty Marks" <RxReed@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Instant Saxophone(was bass cl/sax double)
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 1999 11:50:37 -0500

-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Wolman <Ken.Wolman@-----.com>
Date: Monday, March 22, 1999 9:41 AM
Subject: Re: [kl] Instant Saxophone(was bass cl/sax double)

>RxReed@-----.com wrote:
>>

>> >This strikes a familiar note (sorry about that). I'm trying to
>myself the alto. The only thing "easy" about it is that the register
>key really allows for real octave jumps. I've already discovered via
>trial and error that several notes have a surprising number of
>fingerings, and that the "logic" of sax fingerings isn't at all like
>that behind fingerings on the clarinet.
>
>Aside from that? The embouchure is different (I know, 10 people will
>jump on me and say NO IT ISN'T, but that's MY experience thus far), to
>get real low notes I have to use LESS mouthpiece rather than more.
>Mouthpiece and reed selection are REAL critical: I never noticed how
>much a mouthpiece/reed combination matters until I got extra
>mouthpieces: a Selmer C*, Dukoff D7, Berg Larsen (VERY open), and
>Vandoren Jumbo Java (even more open and REAL hard to play well on). The
>Daniel #2 tenor reed that works beautifully on a bass clarinet, in its
>alto version is problematical. Rico Jazz reeds are quite good. But the
>best all-around results I've had so far are on the old down 'n' dirty
>Rico #2!
>
>But being able to get a few tunes under your belt, even if you're
>playing by ear, makes for a nice encouragement to keep with it.
Hi Ken - You can understand why I got so irritated. Clarinet players who
try to play saxophone are misled because when they pick up the saxophone
they don't have the same problems they had learning the clarinet. Usually
they don't get involved enough to realize that there are as many problems
but they are different.
I have found that when I play saxophone, If I just think about the sound I
want to produce, my embouchure changes naturally. If I fight it and think
about the clarinet embouchure with the flat chin, my sound and intonation
suffer.
I haven't found any reed that works consistently. I have been switching
between Vandoren V16, Peter Ponzol and Rico Royal. I use my product RxReed
which improves the sound and makes them last longer(shameless plug).
Mouthpieces are a problem because different styles of music sometimes
require different mouthpieces and reed setups. Right now I am using a
Vintage Brilhart mouthpiece because I am playing mostly big band music (40's
and 50's style). It works fairly well for classical also.
Good luck,
Marty>

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org