Klarinet Archive - Posting 000432.txt from 2004/09

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <arlyss1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Alto Clarinet Questions
Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2004 20:52:14 -0400

Tim Roberts wrote:

> 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.
>
>
Tim,

You mention that this gentleman also was an experienced alto sax
player. Do you suppose that a good part of his achievement of a "full,
smooth, woody" tone may have had to do with his embochure, and the angle
at which the mouthpiece/reed combo was placed in his mouth?

I'm not asking this lightly, because in my own doubling experience, when
I've tried playing alto with a clarinet embochure and angle (very
narrow; 45º or less), it sounds like I'm trying to strangle a
wildebeest. However, when I use more of a true sax embochure and
lighter reeds (say, a no. 2 reed, and close to a 90º angle) I actually
don't sound half bad. I also find I must have a somewhat looser
aperture, though not flabby, in order to achieve a decent,
saxophone-like vibrato.

Now, I am not suggesting folks go and try to do the "nanny goat" on an
alto clarinet; far from it! However, perhaps abandoning the playing to
the side (if the person is doing that), increasing the mouthpiece angle
into the mouth, and playing on a softer reed might help to a certain
extent, as long as the embochure maintains enough firmness, and the
breath has enough support to maintain control.

(I apologize if my nomenclature sounds like something out of Klosé; I'm
usually in bed by this time.)

It might be worth a try, along with the better mouthpiece and reeds, and
some needed regulation of keys.

Patricia Smith

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