Klarinet Archive - Posting 000138.txt from 2006/12
From: clarni bass <clarnibass@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Basset horn vs alto clarinet
Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2006 01:07:35 -0500
Vandoren B40 mouthpiece and Vandoren reeds work very
good for me.
About repairs - I would say that repairs should not be
done by an amateur or general repairer on almost any
instrument (unless there is no choice).
I also agree pretty much with everything Dan wrote.
Since I have no problem with bass clarinet mouthpiece,
alto is also fine.
About the range - it is only the low C on the basset
horn that the regular low Eb alto doesn't have, so any
piece on basset that goes only to low Db there is no
range problem (I never play basset parts so I have no
idea if there are any only to low Db).
Gary - have you ever tried other new or old altos? I
really hope one day to buy a new
Buffet/Selmer/Leblanc/etc. though they are expensive.
I have an old Leblanc and an old Pedler. They sound
great, but new ones are better, especially the
keywork, so I was wondering if you made any
comparisons, especially with the keywork between
different altos?
Thanks.
--- kurtheisig@-----.net wrote:
> Stan,
>
> I really believe that ignorance is the primary thing
> behind most of the opinions we hear about alto
> clarinet.
>
> Here are my observations on where the negative comes
> from.
>
> 1. Usually an alto clarinet is a school instrument
> poorly maintained. The alto clarinet, if adjusted
> properly is a fine instrument. Repairing it however,
> is something that should not be done by an amateur
> or even a general repairman.
>
> 2. Stock mouthpieces for any instrument are usually
> very poor, and on alto clarinets particularly so. I
> use a HEISIG, and have a few blanks left to make
> them for others.
>
> 3. Reeds. Even Vandoren is making an alto sax like
> reed instead of a true alto clarinet reed. I use
> alto clarinet reeds for myself and my students in
> proper dimensions, that are aged from the 60's.
> MARVELOUS difference! ( I have hundreds in stock.)
>
> 4. School band directors, in ignorance, usually put
> their weakest players on an instrument that is out
> of adjustment, has a very bad mouthpiece, and wrong
> reeds.
> They hold the instrument in low esteem and pass on
> that prejudice to the whole band, which gets passed
> on......
>
> 5. Band directors, players and teachers spout off
> all kinds of nonsense reasons why the instrument is
> inferior. This usually has all of the couth of those
> that attack the accordion. (Kind of like this
> ignorant computer telling me couth is not a word!)
>
> There ARE good alto clarinets out there. The Selmer
> 9 series is a fine professional instrument. The Vito
> in plastic is a surprisingly good instrument.
>
> The basic rule I have with my students is that I
> will have to strip and re-build it, put a HEISIG
> mouthpiece with it, and we will use REAL alto
> clarinet reeds. The results are pretty fantastic!
>
> A few years ago, I sat in in a Community College
> Band on alto clarinet. During rehearsal it was easy
> to bury the 12 clarinets, and the conductor was
> exuberantly shouting over the band...."I FORGOT how
> good an alto clarinet could sound!!"
>
> Kurt Heisig
> Kurt Heisig Music
> 1045 Water street
> Santa Cruz, CA 95062
> (831) 425-5658
>
> 14428C Big Basin Way
> (back of the Wells Fargo Bank building)
> Saratoga, Ca 95070
>
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: Morgul <Morgul@-----.net>
> >Sent: Dec 24, 2006 9:03 AM
> >To: klarinet@-----.org
> >Subject: [kl] Basset horn vs alto clarinet
> >
> >Collective wisdom,
> >
> >At the risk of provoking a firestorm, please allow
> me to parade my
> >ignorance.
> >
> >Basset horns, Dan's and others, are highly regarded
> specialized instruments.
> >Alto clarinets, on the other hand, are just as
> roundly reviled. Why is this?
> >
> >Is it because most alto clarinets are made for and
> played by relative
> >neophytes in marching bands, thus having neither
> the quality nor literature
> >nor expertise usually found in players of basset
> horns? Are there
> >significant differences in design and construction
> and, therefore, tone
> >quality? Is there an inherent flaw in pitching one
> instrument in F and the
> >other a whole step below? Is there such a thing as
> a "professional level"
> >alto clarinet, and if so, who makes it, where/how
> is it used, and by whom?
> >
> >Thank you for your consideration. Nomex suit in
> place.
> >
> >Stan
> >
> >
> >
>
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