Klarinet Archive - Posting 000392.txt from 2004/02

From: Trina Anderson <laporello@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re: Bass Clarinets
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 20:28:43 -0500

Kevin,

We must live in parallel universes, or maybe one of us
is antimatter. One thing in common is the clarinet. In
my case, though, my husband is a tuba player. He’s
down to only 2 tubas now since selling his euphonium
and English baritone horn. By volume, the brass still
out-measures the grenadilla wood.

I’ve been playing bass clarinet for just over a year
now. The director of our community band felt that we
had “too much soprano,” so I switched to bass after 2
½ years on Bb soprano. I bought a new Vito 7168 and
did well with it using a Vandoren B45 mp and #3 V12
reed.

I decided I LOVE bass clarinet, so after a year it was
time to upgrade. (I had gotten encouragement from my
husband plus the Euro v. the dollar was about to push
up the price on anything made in France.) I read every
possibly related posting to this BB for advice, but
the deciding factor on what to buy came down to the
fact that a Buffet 1193 Prestige at a very attractive
price was just a 30 min. drive away. I could find no
problems with it, so I brought it home. By the way,
I’m keeping the Vito for outdoor concerts.

I am really surprised at how much music I’ve been
playing where I do encounter the lower notes. In the 2
bands I play in, there has been at least one new piece
a week on average. I have my doubts about whether or
not I’ll always be able to reach the lower keys
considering that I have rheumatoid arthritis, but I
also see it as therapy.

As for mp, I’m still using my Vandoren B45. It lets me
get plenty of volume, which I have previously been
short of, but I wonder if it might be a bit too harsh.
I tried a Grabner CXBB this week, but found it stuffy.
Maybe I ought to try the next model up. Since I know
he’s a sponsor, any advice Walter?

Trina Anderson

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