Klarinet Archive - Posting 000572.txt from 1999/11

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] My Bundy, was RE:[kl] Plastic Horns
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 02:50:52 -0500

----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Youngman <youngman@-----.au>
Subject: [kl] My Bundy, was RE:[kl] Plastic Horns

>
> I am also an aging beginner using an inherited non-descript Bundy (student
> model I think??). I guess I have the original mouthpiece. I can get a
> goodish tone with Vandoren 2? reeds, but they take a lot of hard work from
> the abdominals and lungs. Vandoren 2s are easier, but they don't sound as
> good. Naturally my embouchure is far from perfect at this stage. Would it
be
> worthwhile changing to a new mouthpiece? I saw various, without corking,
in
> a second hand box at my local music store priced at $50 (approx. US$35).
Is
> this about the right sort of price?
>

The second hand box is probably just full of cast off junk. It is unlikely
that you will find anything worthwhile there. Not only are they likely to
be no name student grade mouthpieces but may have other flaws like nicks or
chips.

You can buy a brand new Vandoren B45, for example, from the major mail order
dealers for around $55. Visit the clarinet bulletin board and explore the
site to find web addresses for these dealers. Then get their catalogs.

A mouthpiece upgrade is especially beneficial to a beginner. More
experienced players can compensate for inadequate mouthpieces. A beginner
can't.

> In other correspondence on this list recently, I read that the keys on the
> Bundy are difficult for any size hand. I notice that my fingers keep
> slipping off the keys, and that with my right hand fingers correctly
> positioned, my thumb is more comfortable some distance below the thumb
rest.
> My teacher adjusted the right first finger key (ring) which has helped
that
> one. I have noticed on other instruments, the key work *looks* much more
> elegant. Any comments? I have large hands, longish fingers. Should I think
> about trading in the Bundy at this early stage, before I develop any bad
> habits?
>

I don't think you will develop any bad habits due to this. When I watch the
clarinet students in my daughter's band, they have a wide variety of brands
of instruments and regardless of the brand tend to have the typical beginner
flaws in hand position, etc.

Every brand of clarinet is laid out a little differently. Any time you
switch, you'll need to adjust a bit. Again experienced players adjust more
quickly. For example, when I use my daughter's horn instead of my own, a
couple of scales will let me adjust to its layout.

Bundy appears to have chosen to go for the sturdy look on their keywork
rather than elegant.

>
> Beyond drying after use and gentle handling, which is all my teacher has
> told me, what constitutes "proper care"?

For one thing, you should not eat or drink anything except water before
playing. This eventually causes build up in the mouthpiece and finger holes
and causes the pads to age and wear out faster. Do not leave your
instrument in a hot car. It can age the mouthpiece and instrument
materials. In addition, it can soften the glue so that pads and corks
shift.

Mouthpieces benefit by being rinsed out with room temperature water
regularly.

Keep an eye on the screws. Occasionally they will "back out" from use or
conversely tighten up too much. In the first case, you can lose the screw
and in the second case a key may start to bind.

Keep an eye on the pads. They can tear or chip. If so they should be
replaced.

Keys are easily bent by mishandling or trying to force joints together. If
the corks are tight, use cork grease. If they are still tight, have your
local repair tech sand them down right away. If a key does get bent, have a
tech fix it immediately.

Pay attention for leaks. A minute leak can make a horn very stuffy and
difficult to play. If you have to use excessive pressure to close a key,
you need to get it fixed.

Dee Hays
Canton, SD

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