 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-02-18 23:25
Haha! This is a funny question in itself. I am playing alto clarinet for a few songs, and the instrument I am playing on is actually the best I have ever played on. The guy that is letting me borrow it is actually doing an apprenticeship under a great local repairman, so the horn is adjusted fairly well.
My only problem is with middle B (just over the break), A&Bb throat tones, and F# (left index finger) being out of tune. Can they be fixed through adjustment to the horn, or should I just fix it through my embouchure? The neck and bell have to be pulled out to be sure the rest of the horn is in tune anyway, but those still have problems.
--Contragirl
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Author: Ken
Date: 2003-02-19 00:01
Invest in a good F Basset, transpose down a step and throw out the Eb Alto with yesterdays garbage ... where it belongs.
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Author: Allen Cole
Date: 2003-02-19 03:57
When I was in college, we had good quality altos available, but even those were nothing to write home about. I do know that David Hite did quite a bit of work on mouthpieces for alto clarinet and bassett horn. It was a slightly offbeat design using alto sax reeds, but I thought that they got a terrific sound.
Might as well add one more mouthpiece to your collection.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-02-19 04:30
I picked a Bundy alto (open hole variety) a few months ago and it plays pretty well for me. In fact, I'm having a lot of fun with it. The 'adjustment' is about as good as it gets, since I maintain my own horns. But, aside from that, I've not found any real difficulties - well, I mean, no more than any others:| They're all a little quirky here and there. But, there's nothing inherent to the alto that the midddle F#, A, Bb and B shouldn't sound okay. If you feel it may need a little tweaking though, ask your friend to check it out.
Happy Tootin', Contragirl
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-02-19 09:53
Ken,
the band director actually suggested I play the bassett and transpose. I might consider that as an option.
And thanks everyone else for your suggestions, I'm gonna try them as soon as I get back to school.
Lotsa love,
Contragirl
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-02-19 14:42
I've had my hands on some 6-8 alto cls, my choice [best] is the Selmer-Paris, however if you can find a "small-bore" French alto, like a Gerard, WITH Double Register Keying, try it. The DRK should "clean up" the mid-staff B in particular [and help the next few notes as well]. I also found that alto sax reeds, being slightly wider, particularly on refaced [widened rails] mps, were much better. The hunt for the "better" mp never ends. You might try having a Selmer C* [Bundy 3 is quite similar} refaced progressively until it's satisfactory to you. A good A Cl etc CAN sound much like a Basset Horn!! Much research luck, Don
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2003-02-20 04:15
I have Buffet alto clarinet (current model) and it is excellent. The only problem I have is with the long B which is a little stuffy. They shouldn't have removed the double register system. All the other changes between the current one and the previous model were great.
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Author: Peter
Date: 2003-02-20 19:03
Something happened to me with my alto that bears mention.
Contragirl, when I read your post, I realized that I had not played my alto for a very long time. So, last night I took it out to give it a toot.
My alto is an old wood Conn plateau instrument that, I distinctly remember having posted a long time ago, always sounded well, played in relative good tune and with relative good tone, etc.
When I got it out this time, it sounded awful! It was missing all the good attributes I remember it having before, and how!
The only thing I can figure is that either the reeds changed for the worst in that time; I am no longer used to playing it and, consequently, doing a terrible job of it (which some people have said is the case all the time, anyway;) or it never sounded as good as I once might have thought that it did, although I don't remember having been intoxicated enough at any time back then, that I could possibly have made that drastic an error in judgment.
Well, I guess I'm going to have to try playing the thing in between other instruments for a while to see if anything improves.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2003-02-20 20:19
If you have enough money, anything is possible. Buffet still makes a great alto, and Yamaha has a good one that everyone says is excellent on intonation. I haven't played either one, so take this for what it's worth. Very, very little.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-02-20 20:21
Pete, I think you have stated the problem, lack of familiarity, IT IS A DIFFERENT HORN, I have to relearn it for twice a year use in a local concert band, am locked into B C and transposing bari sax parts in my [frequent] comm. band reh's/perf's. Will have to recruit a BC player, even loaning her/him my Selmer!! Luck, Don
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-02-20 22:10
Those out of tune throat tones can be easily fixed by an expert clarinet tuner. First, make sure you have a good mouthpiece such as a Selmer C*. A plastic Bundy can be made to sound pretty good by undercutting a lot of toneholes. The only problem with the alto clarinet is that there isn't a lot of music for it. Good luck!
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Author: HAT
Date: 2003-02-20 22:31
Play the parts on a bass clarinet. The upper register skills and technique you'll develop will actually be USEFUL for something other than playing in band someday.
Yes, it's a 'different' sound than the 'unique' alto clarinet sound. But you're supposedly getting an education at that school, not trying to be the chistopher hogwood of band.
Just my opinion.
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-02-21 01:42
What's the definition of a nerd?
Someone that owns their own alto clarinet.
hah, j/k. I am actually in the market of buying one for myself, but I dont have the money to just go out and get a new one. The one I am playing is a A.Fontaine, anyone heard of it? It has the auxiliary Ab/Eb key on the left hand. It's old, and pretty cool.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-02-21 06:07
I only played alto briefly, but I loved it - I would love to play something soloistic on it someday, maybe a great Alto Sax piece, although something originally written for Alto Clar would be awesome.
Rock on Contragrrl!!
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