Klarinet Archive - Posting 000396.txt from 2004/09

From: "Chuck Currie" <reedguy@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Alto Clarinet Questions
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 19:47:45 -0400

Right on, Michael

I've owned a Yamaha professional alto clarinet for 15 years, and it is a
fantastic instrument. It has a beautiful sound, no huge change from
register to register, and no "hitches" when the second register key goes
into use. It can be played as powerfully as a bass, or as sweetly as a
soprano. It is designed so well ergonomically that I have played bebop =
on
it! The only fault was that it does not come with a peg. I added one, =
and
it made it even more facile to play.

I also agree that a good alto clarinet is easier to play well than a =
basset
horn, simply because the bore diameter is more appropriate for it's =
length.
Alto clarinets get the worst rap of the whole family because there are =
some
terrible ones made, and lots of them are poorly maintained. By the way, =
I
decided to play Alto clarinet because I enjoyed using a borrowed =
Keilworth
for a few weeks, and it was also excellent in tone quality, although no
match for the Yamaha in tuning or ergonomics.

That being said, I was never happy with any of the stock Alto Clarinet
mouthpieces available....and I've tried every one of them. I sat with
Michael Lomax at this year's clarinet fest and he made me two =
mouthpieces
from Zinner blanks in an hour or so. It was his first effort at this =
size
of mouthpiece and they came out beaufifully, similar to his B2 models. =
It
was way cool....Zinner brought 5 blanks to the show.....Michael got his
chops together making mine...and he had an order for 3 more from =
Bassethorn
players in Germany. Everyone came out ahead!

Robert, the best stock mouthpiece, in my opinion, is a Selmer C* , and =
they
do recommend their alto sax reeds on them, although I always used alto
clarinet reeds. And, yes, alto clarinets take a tenor sax ligature, but
they are usually just a little large and may need a mouthpiece patch on =
the
back of the mouthpiece to secure them. Brancher makes a ligature
specifically for alto clarinet, and it is an absolute gem!

I recommend you place a thin piece of paper between your mouthpiece and
reed. That point is where your bottom lip should go. It is not unusual =
to
play a slightly easier blowing setup on lower clarinets, too. 1/4 to =
1/2
strength softer reed than on your soprano clarinet. Your upper register =
may
not be fixable...it could be faulty acoustic design. You need a top =
flight
repair man to check it out.=20

Good luck, Robert. The alto clarinet can be an extremely rewarding
experience, if you GO FOR IT!

Chuck Currie
Sax Noir Studio
www.saxnoir.com
reedguy@-----.net
604 254-9625
604 970-2694
2105 E 3rd Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5N 1H9
=20

-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew Lloyd [mailto:matthew@-----.uk]=20
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 1:28 PM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: RE: [kl] Alto Clarinet Questions

No. That is unfair.

I don't have much experience of the alto, having only once played a
borrowed Buffet Prestige, but it was a beautiful instrument with a
gorgeous sound. I used my Hite mouthpiece that I own for my Buffet
Basset Horn.=20

Everyone I know who plays the alto thinks it is a hidden gem. Indeed one
player I know feels it is the best of all clarinets. As an instrument
between the Bb and bass I think it is in general a better bet than the
Basset Horn as it does, I feel, fit in better.

Look first at your mouthpiece, and then make sure your instrument is
well regulated. It's easy to suggest a new Buffet but I know it's
unrealistic, but spend money on the mouthpiece and it will reward you
well.

Good luck, and have fun.

Matthew.

--
From: Richter, Stephen R. [mailto:SRICHTER@-----.edu]=20
Sent: 22 September 2004 20:27
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: RE: [kl] Alto Clarinet Questions

The alto clarinet is the "Bastard" of the clarinet family.=20
Do your best. It is a finicky beast.

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