Klarinet Archive - Posting 000403.txt from 2004/09
From: kurtheisig@-----.net
Subj: RE: [kl] Alto Clarinet Questions
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 08:51:38 -0400
Alto clarinets can be absolutely fabulous instruments!!!
My experience has been that alto clarinets are normally in terrible condition! So the first thing that we do is put a custom overhaul into them. The next thing is to make a custom mouthpiece. Stock mouthpieces on alto clarinet are sooooo bad!
Alto clarinet is a wonderful instrument!!! I play my old Selmer way up into the altissimo--well above double hi c.
That doesn't happen with a stock mouthpiece!
On Bb I use #5 Vandoren reeds on a very open Heisig Mouthpiece.
On alto I use a very open mouthpiece, but soft reeds from the 60's for alto clarinet. This gives optimum results.
Sometimes I make up a mouthpiece to fit Vandoren alto clarinet reeds because the player may not have a 20 year stash of REAL alto clarinet reeds like I do.
I DO have several hundred #3 alto clarinet reeds ---buffet from mid-60's in stock in my store. These are fine cane---but ---on alto clarinet they need to be taken down --really too heavy. THESE ARE FOR SALE!
Perhaps a list of what I ---a mouthpiece maker use personally will be helpful to some.
All of my mouthpieces are fairly open.
All of my equipment plays very well in tune, with great response in all registers.
Eb clarinet. Buffet R13 re-worked by myself, with Heisig Mouthpiece made to work with Bb # 5 Vandoren reeds CUT OFF SHORT ENOUGH IN THE BUTT TO NOT HIT THE BARREL!!!!
C, Bb, and A clarinets. Usually my R13's, though I have a number of Selmer 9* and other models. All with open Heisig mouthpieces with #5 Vandoren reeds. I DO try to always play on cane that is at LEAST 20 years old!
I also usually use Winslow ligs that were specially made for me. On HOT days and on some horns I use Rovner ligs. Most of my instruments have been custom re-built by me to my standards. (I have lots of clarinets in my archives for reference)
On alto clarinet I use 30-40 year old reeds, very good quality cane and usually about a 1 1/2 to 2 strength. A Heisig Mouthpiece--again quite open. I have made many alto clarinets play. Almost ALWAYS I have to strip and re-make them.
Bass Clarinet same. Open Heisig Mouthpiece, 35 year old Gebhard Steur, Solo Esser #2 reeds, and I adjust the instruments a great deal with much new padding or an overhaul.
Eb Contra Bass I use a mouthpiece that Ralph Morgan and I designed together (Isn't that some competition between us!!!), very open, with a Vandoren # 2 reed. Unfortunately, these are not aged.
Notice that, though I use very hard reeds on open equipment, I use very soft reeds on harmony clarinets.
Saxophones
Eb sopranino #5 Vandoren.
C and Bb Soprano #5 Vandoren
Eb alto sax ---classically #5 Vandoren standard cut on a Heisig. Jazz---#2 Solo Esser on a Kurt Heisig the Biggest Sound Jazz Alto Sax Mouthpiece
Bb Tenor---classically #3 1/2 to 4 Carl Fischer (Chedeville) from 1969, and 1 1/2 to 2 Carl Fischer on a Kurt Heisig the Biggest Sound Jazz Tenor Sax Mouthpiece for jazz.
Eb Baritone sax -----classically #5 Vandoren (custom made for me) on a Heisig classical mouthpiece. and #2 Vandoren or these new # 2 Rico Select Jazz FILED (Kurt Heisig using Rico!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), on a 1973 Berg that I have opened way up and re-made.
With all instruments I have range and control and intonation. With all instruments I have re-made them to much higher standards than original production line work. Always I re-work the reeds to get maximum results.
My experience is that alto clarinet is a FABULOUS instrument---but you have to have functional equipment.
I DO have LOTS of alto clarinet reeds for sale. These are mostly #3 Buffets from the 60's. of course these are a little too hard---BUT ---that allows you to finish them to your needs.
Kurt Heisig
Kurt Heisig Music
(831)425-5658
-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Roberts <timr@-----.com>
Sent: Sep 22, 2004 4:26 PM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: RE: [kl] Alto Clarinet Questions
On Wed, 22 Sep 2004 14:27:18 -0500, "Richter, Stephen R."
<SRICHTER@-----.edu>
>The alto clarinet is the "Bastard" of the clarinet family.
>Do your best. It is a finicky beast.
>
>
But it CAN be something very special.
We put together a small clarinet choir last summer out of our community
band. One of our alto sax players is an "experienced" gentleman who
happened to have his own alto clarinet. He brought it to our clarinet
choir rehearsal, and I was expecting the worst.
However, when he played it, I thought I would melt. Glorious, full,
smooth, woody; adjectives are inadequate. I was actually jealous,
because my own failed attempts at coaxing sound out of an old (and
abused) Bundy were quite painful.
I decided to stop making fun of the alto clarinet after that.
--
- Tim Roberts, timr@-----.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.
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