 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JamesE
Date: 2003-03-12 03:05
This spring I'll be playing in a small orchestral setting, switching between the Bb and the A clarinet. I have never done this before (no A clarinet)(no orchestra).
I have a feeling that this is one of those personal preference things, but how do most folks handle the switch? Do you have a mouthpiece/reed on each instrument? Swap the mp/reed between the two? Other changes? Just wondering, and thanks.
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Author: angelpineapple
Date: 2003-03-12 03:13
I've never had to switch either but I have seen other people do it. The people who I have seen do it just swith their mouthpiece from one instrument to the other.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2003-03-12 03:33
Switch the mouthpiece from one horn to the other. Keep the cork on the mouthpiece greased up so you can twist it off easily without forcing the reed and lig out of position.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: charlesmunden
Date: 2003-03-12 03:36
The best I have been told by my professor about the idea of orchestra switching is to only use one reed/mouthpiece setup, because really its bad enough to switch to a fairly cold horn, but to switch to another mouthpiece (which unless you are very lucky will have different characteristics than the other one) and to switch to a fresh/dry reed is never wise. The one thing you need to make sure you are used to though is switching, when I first tried it I found that I was so used to playing Bb that when I got to the A and tried to switch back my fingers had problems with the little adjustment that had to be made. So make sure you have the feel of both clarinets down. Another big deal is make sure that whatever you do, if you use one mouthpiece make sure your ligatire will hold its place, because you dont want to risk the reed moving and then you go to play and get a loud *squeek*. Just my $1 and 2 cents.
Charles Munden
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2003-03-12 07:17
I used to switch m/p and barrel, but I found I had to fine tune a few bars later as I didn't always get the position correct. I would say this would have to be the safest switch to protect the reed/lig position, but not everyone has a matched pair of instruments and identically fitting barrels to switch. I'm sure some players will have two nearly identical m/p's and reeds setups but I've not seen nor would have the guts to use this switch.
Having said that, I double on saxes and basscl and find switching relatively smooth. Possibly, relatively large embouchure changes are easier than small adjustments between Bb and A clars where one is looking for the same response and a uniform tone colour on switching. I've been careful however, to select m/p reed combos for all my instruments which don't need a huge adjustment when switching, but I suspect most doublers have.
Like most of my colleagues, I switch only my m/p between clars, making sure my m/p tenon is free of grit and is lubricated for ease (but security) of switching from one barrel to the other. I have recently purchased a Francois Louis ligature and I find this to be very secure, whilst allowing swift replacement to the correct position should an accident occur. (Great lig)
I don't want to start a new thread on ligatures, but there's a thought when experimenting with ligs - will they be secure enough to switch clars ?
BobT
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Author: Lee
Date: 2003-03-12 16:20
I have both clarinets set up with the same type mpc and same brand/strength reed and change the whole horn without swaping. The upper barrel socket is larger on the A and the same mpc will not fit properly. I find that if I warm up on both then occasionally remoisten the unused reed that there is not much of a problem.
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Author: tinminer
Date: 2003-03-13 12:07
Interesting that you say 'the upper barrel socket is larger on the A' . I acquired a very nice Pruefer wood 'A' for a pittance on ebay with exactly that 'feature' and thought I had a non-standard barrel or clarinet. Looking at lining the barrel socket with very thin teflon sheet (or similar) to facilitate switching - unless anyone has a better idea.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-03-13 17:34
I simply switch the mouthpiece. If the other clarinet is cool expect to play on the low side. Make sure the C is tuned exactly on the A clarinet and you shouldn't have too much trouble with pitch.....
David Dow
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Author: jack
Date: 2003-03-13 21:52
Why not just stick to Bb and transpose the A part? You can pick it up in no time.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2003-03-13 22:19
I switch my mouthpiece. I once owned a pair that I could switch barrel and mouthpiece--thus making it a bit easier--but that is unusual and will require an immediate adjustment for tuning. If there's enough time between numbers, you can risk the reed and ligature slipping off the mouthpiece while attempting to change just the mouthpiece. If there's not enough time, you can just swap with the barrel and make the adjustment. If you use a 66mm barrel on your Bb, you may be way flat on the A--so you might want to make the adjustment on the Bb with a 65mm and then use it for the A.
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Author: Heidi
Date: 2003-03-14 00:08
I have alot of trouble switching between my A and Bb because of the Scott barrel I've been using on my Bb. It seems to have shrunk the cork on my mouthpiece to where there is no way it will fit even adequately on my A barrel. I have to put a piece of construction paper around my cork just to get a snug fit. My teacher is having the same problem. Are there any suggestions out there on how to remedy this?? BTW...I have 2 Yamaha horns.
Thanks!
Heidi
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Author: larryb
Date: 2003-03-14 02:13
I usually switch mouthpiece.
In order to keep the clarinet not being used from getting too cold (and flat), I usually have it on my lap (as opposed to in the stand) for a while before switching, thus providing some body heat.
also, make sure that the cork is greased and worn down enough for fast switches (eg: Mendelssohn 3rd, which is a really quick switch)
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Author: JamesE
Date: 2003-03-15 02:41
Many thanks for all the great replies. Looks like the mouthpiece or mouthpiece/barrel switching has the majority. Unfortunatly, all the mp for my Bb are just a hair to small for the A barrel (barrels don't match either with the instruments I have avail). Maybe I'll try lining the A barrel a little.
Jack - transposing is ok, but there are some passages in the music where the transposed notes are to low for the Bb.
I have a month to performance so hope to have something down by then.
Thanks again.
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Author: Sandra F.
Date: 2003-03-15 03:05
I generally switch the mouthpiece with a well-greased tenon cork, but there have been occasions where I set up both clarinets because the switch was too quick. This is unusual, however. I never switch the barrels.
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