Klarinet Archive - Posting 000175.txt from 2009/01

From: Martin Baxter <martinbaxter@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Bass Clarinet
Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:38:28 -0500

Fred
I have used my elderly Selmer-Bundy for about 15 years (with a Selmer
mouthpiece). For doubling in the Theatre, Quartets and Clarinet
ensemble it has always been fine; I even tackled Mladi on it for a
charity concert quite successfully. After your comment I checked it
against a tuning meter and all notes were playable in tune. Also a
friend to whom I lent it while her (Leblanc) was being overhauled
found it perfectly satisfactory. I do not aspire to play the
virtuoso modern solos around but as an instrument for what I do it is
fine. I sometimes wonder who is trying to convince us that without
an expensive 'bespoke' instrument costing several thousands we have
no chance of producing acceptable results at any level. A visit to
Eastern Europe where many players play superbly on instruments I
would turn into table lamps might well give you a different perspective.
Martin

On 9 Jan 2009, at 02:03, Fred Jacobowitz wrote:

> 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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