Klarinet Archive - Posting 000437.txt from 2000/01

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Eb Alto Clarinet
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 03:01:08 -0500

I own and "rarely" play alto clarinet. Even though I also play saxophone
(mostly alto and bari in Eb), I am always struck by and tonally shocked by
the alto clarinet's sounding of everything a fifth lower. I quickly adjust
to this, but find it an interesting reaction.

Nothing is really that far different. It is such an in-between instrument
between the soprano and the bass, having some the the feel and playing
characteristics of both.

My only recommendation would be to spend as much time as possible playing
and practicing on the alto to acclimate to its range and key. Of course,
take a bit more into the mouth, voice it appropriately in the throat and
with the tongue as it is a bigger instrument and also feed it more air so
the tone is rich and full.

IF you have a good mouthpiece and reed for it you will like its almost bass
clarinet like quality down low. You will be surprised at how fast and facile
it can be. Similar to the bass clarinet, the bore favors the low notes, so
you will find that the upper register is thinner sounding than a soprano.
Once it becomes part of a clarinet quartet or clarinet choir, this thinner
tone up high is absorbed into the total sound and not noticed.

Rachael wrote:

> This is the second time that I'm posting this because I was not clear
> enough in my original question. I'm due to play an Eb Alto Clarinet!
>
> I'm due to play a wedding on an Eb Alto later this month. What should I
>
> look out for and spend most of my practise time on to have an easy
> transition to this big brother of the Bb?
>
> Thanks for you help,
>
> Rachael Orbach
>
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