Klarinet Archive - Posting 000443.txt from 2006/03
From: kurtheisig@-----.net
Subj: Re: [kl] Alto Clarinet in the Orchestra
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:47:42 -0500
Alto Clarinet is a fabulous instrument.
I frequently bring mine in to play for my clarinet and sax students. I demonstrate classical and jazz, and shock them with an altissimo well above double c.
I believe the reason it has fallen into dis-use is the pitiful mouthpieces that come with them and that school instruments are in dis-repair.
In proper repair and with a good mouthpiece (I make these), it is a HUGE addition to a clarinet section.
A few years ago I sat in with the local community college band just to demonstrate this. The conductor shouted above the band--"I had FORGOTTEN how good an alto clarinet sounds!!" In the concert recording their puny 12 piece section of wimpy players was suddenly full and fat and rich.
I regularly rebuild alto clarinets for customers and re-face or make mouthpieces for them. I can make them to the alto sax shaped reeds or to alto clarinet reeds, of which I have lots of aged ones in stock. (1965)
Anyone interested in having a great alto clarinet experience PLEASE contact me. It is GREAT fun to get someone on track with alto clarinet.
I warn you---it is an ADDICTION!
Kurt Heisig
Mouthpiece Maker
(831) 425-5658
-----Original Message-----
>From: Curtis Bennett <curtis.bennett@-----.com>
>Sent: Mar 22, 2006 9:37 AM
>To: klarinet@-----.org
>Subject: Re: [kl] Alto Clarinet in the Orchestra
>
>Is the alto clarinet doomed to the path of the basset horn - a remnant
>of a bygone era that's only seldom played?
>
>I mean, they still do exist. Someone played one in our community band,
>albeit briefly. But, it seems like in another 20 years, there won't be
>much of a point. No one seems to be writing a lot of parts for that
>instrument anymore.
>
>Did Sousa's band have an Alto clarinet in it?
>
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