Klarinet Archive - Posting 000202.txt from 2003/05

From: Kenneth Wolman <kenneth.wolman@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Eb and related Bb squeaking problems (was Re: [kl] Eefer Overhaul)
Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 10:21:20 -0400

>
>The color of the Eb's sound is something I think
>MOST Eb players can improve on, regardless of their technique
>and pitch. You don't HAVE to sound like a cat in a blender to
>play Eb!
>
>Meow!

Don't knock putting a cat in a blender, Kelly, it makes a really nice sauce
for the crown roast of dog.

Anyway...I acquired my limited experience with the Eb in high school, in
the band. Mr. Ego got tired of being part of the pack. Some other kid got
dibs on the bass. So I took the Eb. I have no idea at this point who
manufactured it or the quality--it was a school instrument, but that may
not say much. I think it came with a mouthpiece--also no idea whose or how
good. But I remember playing it was a blast--no pun intended.

New problem now that the frozen barrel issue is behind
me. Squeaking. Transition up to the second register B and C from the
lower register and I'm encountering resistance that I can overcome only by
adjusting how I hold the instrument in my mouth. Then the duck-calls
erupt. I'm playing with some possibilities. The Noblet, first, is not the
Centered Tone. Duh. It seems to happen irrespective the reed--and I go
from a Daniel 1.5 to a Grand Concert 3. It seems also to happen on
specific mouthpieces, namely the fabled Selmer HS* and the Pyne-Clarion
medium...though it's far more pronounced on the HS*. Eyeballed the
instrument--all the pads seem okay and key action is okay too. There's no
problem with notes if I go way high and come down--it's starting there that
is the biggest aggravation.

ken

-----------------------------
Kenneth Wolman http://www.kenwolman.com http://kenwolman.blogspot.com
Lord, steel us against the expectation of disappointment and our belief in
the certainty of heartbreak....

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