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Backup Bb clarinet vs A or C

Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-03-03 20:44

I'm still ramping up to what I hope is a regular routine of playing for a variety of churches, most of which I will have never visited before (unless they ask me back, which I hope does happen a few times). And I'm trying to figure out whether I should be routinely carrying more than 1 clarinet, and if so- what.

First, 20 yr ago I did this routine a few dozen times with a MIDI keyboard rig that filled the back of a conversion van- KX88 keyboard, synth rack modules, amps, speakers. So I was limited to where I could drive from western PA, or along our vacation paths to visit family in TX and FL. By contrast, I like the idea of traveling light with just (1?) clarinet, and travel by air no big deal.

But--- as a pro photographer I decided a long time ago there would be no excuse for allowing 1 equipment malfunction to shut down a shoot. So I always take 2 cameras, multiple flashes, and enough lenses that it would take multiple failures to be a problem. I live in fear of a memory card malfunction losing images before I get them copied to a computer, but that's no different than the risk years ago of defective film or a lab flub.

So, it would seem reasonable to be prepared with a backup clarinet in case something breaks that's beyond what I might be prepared to repair quickly in the field, to avoid having to cancel a whole concert. I know lots of you have multiple clarinets anyway- do you routinely carry a 2nd? Is it identical to #1, or would you be miffed to have to play it? My 2nd camera is same make/model as my primary.

Anybody ever get caught without a working horn? How bad was it? Horror stories, anyone?

I would also maybe like to take along an A clarinet to be able to play along extemporaneously on hymns and congregational songs in "bad" keys. Then I'm carrying another horn for that reason- and it can't reasonably be my backup (unless I create a 2nd set of backing tracks shifted down 1/2 step, then they would sound weird to me). And what about having a C clarinet for easier sight reading when, perhaps, somebody asks if I'd like to join in on the choir's special? I could make a case for taking 2 Bb's, an A, and a C to a big event. Still not as much trouble as my old keyboard setup, but nearly as ridiculous.

I am still at the thinking stage, but one day soon I expect to have to make some real choices.

Stan in Orlando

EWI 4000S with modifications

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Re: Backup Bb clarinet vs A or C

Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2014-03-03 16:24

That's a tough one Stan.

I could talk until I'm blue about the pros and cons of having a backup clarinet with you on gigs, and if so, what key it should be in--just like a competant investment professional could talk about the generally accepted fund distributions (stocks, bonds, cash equivalents, etc.) that a person of your age/health/finances normally invests in...

I suppose I could inquire about the accessibilty of a friend's setup in an emergency, no differently than you telling me in the financial metaphor that you have a rich uncle who will help you out if the market takes a tank (your clarinet is in the repair shop) for a while.

But the mystery factor only you can determine is where you lie along the continum of cost/benefit i.e. the costs of another instrument, or being without one if the first fails, versus the benefit of having the backup clarinet, or the cash equivalent of those funds to spend elsewhere. It's this self introspection that indicates how much, in the financial metaphor, within normally tolerances, to put your money in the stock market versus the money market (i.e. cash equivalents).

Alternatives for the money might go to having with you on a gig an assortment of basic pads and springs, etc., or more routine maintenance.

Your photographer metaphor is well received with the following caveats. I've never seen an event shot (e.g. wedding) where the photographer didn't have at least 2 cameras at his/her disposal. You, likely having forgotten more about photography than I know, could probably talk about how those cameras may not only be set up (best?) to do different things in the interest of speed, but how they serve as backups to one another.

Assuming the purchase of a second clarinet is a given, I'm not sure the "A," for you specifically Stan, may be the way to go. As you probably realize, the justification for having both of these instruments (Bb/A) in an orchestral setting is to avoid having to play music with too many sharps or flats. I'm not saying that similar situations don't also arise in your "religious/jazz genre of clarinet play," but that maybe you'd be best served with another Bb, or C.

I know you like Tom Ridenour's product offerings. Need I tell you he makes a nice "C" clarinet? [wink]

Best in clarineting Stan. [grin]

(Humor: Wait...I know where this is going--you want ME/US to cost justify this expenditure to your wife? If so, just indicate as such and I can rewrite this. [wink]

)

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Re: Backup Bb clarinet vs A or C

Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-03-03 21:58

Thanks, Russ- for the detailed response.

Wow, you're either a financial pro yourself, or you've been thinking a little too hard about those kind of issues lately.

I am leaning the same way you suggest, that a 2nd Bb clarinet might be the wisest first addition to my travel collection. Ariosos and Lyriques at bargain prices seem to come and go on eBay- probably in need of TLC, but I could work one of those into playing shape at my leisure, and maybe without much $. (There's an Arioso right now for $90 with shipping, needs a couple of corks, otherwise who knows?)

The C, or especially A, would be loads of fun in the right settings. Even in my own church, a bunch of the songs in our regular rotation are in concert E or A. I'm playing organ so it doesn't matter to me, but if I wanted to jam on clarinet "on the fly" I would be stumbling all over myself on a Bb horn. But the right answer long run is of course to 1) learn to play well in all keys, the same as I forced myself to do on piano decades ago, so key doesn't matter and no advantage to "A" horn, and 2) learn to read and transpose up a step "on the fly" and flawlessly also, so no advantage to "C" horn. These are both worthy goals but may be a year or 2 off at best, and could take time away from other improvements. Life is all about choices.

I think I am way too nervous a sort to have all my eggs in one clarinet.

Stan in Orlando

EWI 4000S with modifications

Post Edited (2014-03-03 17:01)

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Re: Backup Bb clarinet vs A or C

Author: William
Date: 2014-03-03 16:59

With the exception of a pad falling out which is easily reinserted and set with a match or cig lighter flame, I have never had an equipment malfunction on a gig. I do carry a spare mouthpiece is case the unthinkable ever happens to my vintage Cicero Kaspar, but never a back-up Bb clarinet. I always carry my Bb and A in my soft-side, lightweight double case which is not much larger than a typical single Bb case. With reasonable TLC, your Bb clarinet should be OK on most gigs and carrying a back up unnecessary.

FWIW, my playing venues are orchestral, wind ensembles and jazz bands and am currently trying to stay warm from this polar vortex thing going on.......

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Re: Backup Bb clarinet vs A or C

Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-03-03 17:22

William wrote:

> With reasonable TLC, your Bb clarinet should be OK on most gigs
> and carrying a back up unnecessary.

That's probably reasonable. I frequently have trouble staying reasonable.

I really liked my Leblanc Dynamic 2, and had no real playing issues with it at all. I replaced it with a new Arioso because 1) the Leblanc was visually in bad need of a repad/complete overhaul so I would not have trusted it on the road without a backup horn unless I spent the $500-$1000 to get it redone first class. 2) I wasn't 100% sure my remaining playing issues weren't the fault of the horn. (Of course they all followed me over to the Arioso, like an unwanted stray dog.) 3) If I was going to seek advice from other players, I wanted to eliminate as many unknowns from my setup as I could. And after the switch I was very happy, though the Leblanc was so good the change was not a huge one. (Compare my videos to hear what I mean.)

So I do now have about as iron clad a primary clarinet as I think is available, and am very confident it will be ready whenever I need it. I wish I could say the same about my embouchure, mental state, etc... LOL.

Stan in Orlando

EWI 4000S with modifications

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Re: Backup Bb clarinet vs A or C

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-03-03 23:57

As far as a "back up," I'd say there is no such need. Keep your primary horn in working order and you should have only the most minor emergencies. That said I've had to bend key and use rubber bands as springs to get through gigs.

So probably the "C" clarinet would be a handy extra to have around if you are NOT comfortable transposing. Keep in mind though they sound a bit more thin (more like an Eb than a Bb to my ears).

...........Paul Aviles

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Re: Backup Bb clarinet vs A or C

Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-03-04 04:29

Some years back I had a spring break on the Bb right at start of the 1st act finale of G&S Iolanthe (quite a long and busy movement) and had to quickly grab my A to carry on until interval.
From my early years when I couldn't find, let alone afford, an A clarinet I was quite familiar with transposing A parts onto Bb but had never seriously had to do the reverse.
This was baptism by fire. Fortunately I was playing 1st where you get a lot of the melody so once the new key had been established it was rather a case of play it by ear.

Yes - I did keep a spare Bb beside me for the rest of the run.

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Re: Backup Bb clarinet vs A or C

Author: clariniano
Date: 2014-03-06 22:54

Get the A, I found that I used my A clarinet a fair bit for not only those hymns in D or A concert, but also for choir anthems that have an instrumental part which playing on a B flat would be impractical. I think nowadays I actually use my A about the same or perhaps slightly more than the B flat given the chamber music and orchestra playing I do.

Meri

Please check out my website at: http://donmillsmusicstudio.weebly.com and my blog at: http://clariniano.wordpress.com

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