Klarinet Archive - Posting 000164.txt from 2009/01

From: "Karl Krelove" <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Bass Clarinet
Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:52:45 -0500

If after three days there are already "serious teeth marks" on the
mouthpiece, the most likely problem is that you're seriously biting on it.
All of the problems you describe _could_ be caused by pinching the reed off.
There are certainly other possibilities, but those teeth marks make biting
the #1 suspect. That said, it may be that the mouthpiece/reed combination is
unresponsive in a way that's leading you into biting, in which case a
different setup would help solve some or all of the problems you're having.

You're using "a" new Vandoren reed? At the very least, you need to try more
than one reed before looking any farther into equipment-related fixes. I
can't honestly imagine making any judgment about how a setup plays without
trying several reeds to see if the first one was just a bad reed.

It goes without saying that, if it's as well used as possibly fourth hand,
you should have it checked (if you haven't already) by a competent tech to
make sure there's not a mechanical problem that's causing stuffiness and
making you bite.

Karl

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Gentry [mailto:peter.gentry@-----.uk]
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 11:47 AM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: [kl] Bass Clarinet

On a quieter note.

I have been getting to grips with my new (second, third or fourth hand)
Selmer Bundy Bass Clarinet. It came with a new but unnamed mouthpiece there
are no numbers on it just "Made in USA". It seems very soft as after only
three days there are serious teeth marks on it.

I have a few problems that someone may be able to help with.

1/ Tuning

It is 20cents sharp (from A 440) and no amount of pulling out the mouthpiece
or the elbow seems to affect this much.

2/ I have trouble making the upper notes of the middle register speak nearly
always overblowing into the next register.

3/ I have trouble going from the low register a or b flat to middle register
b or c at speed. I think I may be using the finger shape learned on the
Soprano Bflat instrument and touching a key or two. Slowly is fine but at
speed I usually squeak or refuse to speak.

4/ The tone of the middle register is very weak and fuzzy.

I am using a new Vandoren No 3 reed, this feels if anything a bit soft and
sqeak prone although giving a fruity tone in the low register.

Any advice would be greatfully received as I am far from any bass teachers.

regards
Peter Gentry

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