Klarinet Archive - Posting 000168.txt from 2009/01

From: Martin Baxter <martinbaxter@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bass Clarinet
Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:11:08 -0500

Peter
I have had similar problems with my contra-alto (Eb contrabass). I
have just bought a Fobes mouthpiece and things seem much much better,
although a severe cold plus the usual Xmas events have prevented me
really getting to grips with practising on it. You really should try
one of his mouthpieces if you can, I'm thinking of getting one for my
bass although it is generally well-behaved, and I hadn't felt the
need to replace the (selmer) one I'm currently using.
Martin
On 8 Jan 2009, at 19:39, Peter Gentry wrote:

> Thanks sounds like good advice. I will get it checked but I don't
> think it
> is leaking. I do find that the long keys don't come to hand so
> easily as on
> the Soprano. I have to open my hand and curve it more to avoid
> touching
> other keys and I often land on the eflat key by mistake for the e
> with my
> right hand or touch the c#/g# key with my left hand.
>
> I have a box of five reeds so maybe I should try some more. I don't
> feel I
> am biting but I will endeavour to watch that. I think a better
> mouthpiece
> would be in order the problem I have is that I cannot get to a
> dealer where
> I could try out a range so I will have to plump and mail order but
> I will
> wait until I have more practice, things are improving little by
> little.
>
> I'll keep you posted with progress, thanks again.
>
> regards
> Peter Gentry
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Karl Krelove [mailto:karlkrelove@-----.net]
> Sent: 08 January 2009 06:53
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: RE: [kl] Bass Clarinet
>
> 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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