Klarinet Archive - Posting 000171.txt from 2009/01

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fbjacobo@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bass Clarinet
Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:03:52 -0500

Peter,

You're expecting tuning and response from a Bundy???!!!!!!!!! My
first Bass was a Bundy. I put tape in at least half the tome holes to
bring down pitch. Its response is what it is; you get what you pay
for. It plays. If you want an instrument to speak easier in the upper
range and sound full and even in the upper middle register, you have
to get a better instrument. Just remember: it's a cheap (for a bass
clarinet, anyway) plastic instrument. It's not going to match a
better wooden one.

That said, a good mouthpiece will make an ENORMOUS difference. What
you have sounds like a piece of plastic junk. I HIGHLY recommend the
Selmer (NOT BUNDY) line of mouthpieces that have two numbers - one
above the other. Mine is a C85-over-115. I'm sure the mouthpiece
makers on the list will weigh in with their mouthpieces, so good luck
choosing.

I also did a bit of key bending: I moved the octave key and the LH a/
g# keys to fit my hand. And I adjusted the long f/b cluster too. This
might help you going over the break.

Fred Jacobowitz

Kol Haruach Klezmer Band
Ebony and Ivory Duo

You don't get harmony when everybody sings the same note.
~Doug Floyd

On Jan 8, 2009, at 11:47 AM, Peter Gentry wrote:

> 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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>

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