 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2003-09-12 23:45
Although I can easily produce all the alitssimo notes though A, I cannot seem to obtain high B and C....this on a Selmer 10S II, Larry Combs LC3 with Van Doren Blue Box 2-1/2 and Rovner. Have tried various voicings, etc, but no luck. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2003-09-13 01:30
These very high notes require excellent air support and a very firm embouchure. You and your horn must be in perfect working order.
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-09-13 01:43
saxlite,
Although I am most hesitant to disagree with GBK, IMVHO the brand name of a clarinet is unlikely to be the critical factor in its ability to play these notes, since Artie Shaw played them with apparent ease on a Selmer in his Concerto for Clarinet. I would bet a box of reeds that GBK could play these notes on your Selmer, if betting were allowed on the BB.
If there is a professional musician whom you could consult in your vicinity, perhaps she could test-play your clarinet to determine that your instrument is capable of playing these notes.
Best wishes,
Hans
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-13 01:59
hans said:
> I would bet a box of reeds that GBK could play these notes on your Selmer
You are right - I could...GBK (who hates to admit it, but actually played a nice Selmer 9, courtesy of the US government, for six months while in the 19th Army Band)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-13 02:26
saxlite... The suggestion of a slightly harder reed is certainly worth trying. Keep the embouchure firm and the air speed fast.
Experiment with a few different fingerings for the B6 and C7. Often you will find one particular choice that responds the best with your individual set up...GBK
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Author: Avie
Date: 2003-09-13 12:43
GBK. I am curious as to why you recommend buying a buffet. Is there one particular type of buffet that you would recommend for getting altisimo B & C? Thanks.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-13 14:35
avumba asked:
> Is there one particular type of buffet that you would recommend
Yes... Buffet R-13 #96xxx (1967) Maintained, tuned, voiced and regulated by Tomoji Hirakata of NYC.
Oh wait ...that's one of mine. (and it's not for sale) ...GBK
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Author: William
Date: 2003-09-13 15:21
Playing "those" notes requires two conditions: 1) you have a strong enough reed that is well balanced to the lay of your mouthpiece; and 2) you configure your oral cavity for best acceloration and focus of air support to the tip opening of your mouthpiece. I recommend raising the back of your tongue as if imitating a cat's hiss instead of playing with a "flat" tongue, which is so often a result of trying to "open" the throat. Actually, you should do both--open the throat but also raise the back of the tongue. This allows good breath support to the raised "cats hiss" tongue position. (To give credit where credit is due, this "cats hiss" annalogy was related to me by Tom Ridenour, then chief accoustician and clarinet designer for Leblanc in Kenosha, WI)
However, a well balanced and sufficiently strong reed is probably the most important need in being able to play these altissimos. For me, a #3.5 V12 that is customized (balanced) to my Kaspar #14 (or any of my mpcs) and has sufficient strength in its "heart" and a responsive tip, will allow me to play those altissimo notes at will. Those altissimos tend to dissappear as the reed grows old through use, and that is often my criteria for discarding a reed. Even though it may still sound good in the lower ocatves, if it loses that upper range capability, I know it's "past its prime" and it gets the "wall test".
Given a good reed on one of my "main mouthpieces", I can pretty much play those altissimos "at will" on any clarinet that is in good plaing condition--Buffet to Bundy (sorry, GBK). It just takes strengthening ones embouchure and the practice of good clarinetting tone production.
William (who was once a member of the Buffet Mafia, but excaped with the help of the "Big Guys" at LeBlanc)
(however, I retained my R13 "ties", just in case...................)
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Author: Avie
Date: 2003-09-13 18:42
Thanks GBK. I was hoping you would say R13 #103xxx (1968) but close enough to make me feel that maybe its possible for my buffet to produce altissimo B & C. Its also not for sale at this time but I guess everything is for the right price. I hope you or Mark dont take this for a BB rule breaking Ad of some kind. By the way Saxlite, I also have a Selmar and have the same problem. I guess I could blame it on something other than the player.
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-09-13 19:51
Check the register key opening height. It should be around 1mm. If you get the altissimo "grunt" before the note pops out this indicates the problem. You can experiment by taping some folded paper under the register key touch to reduce the opening height. All you need to do is find the sweet spot then have the repair done. Just check the other notes to insure none are adversely affected especially the B.
Best Regards
Mark
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Author: Markus Wenninger
Date: 2003-09-14 08:30
Using harder reeds helps indeed; I myself took to "Vandoren 4ers" for a distinct and precise altissimo d'''' (although people like Ferneyhough and W.O. Smith demand even notes higher up than that - but I fall for high registers, so I am working on those notes) as well as clear and differentiated multiphonics. It becomes harder to play soft then, but practise eases this.
Markus
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-09-14 16:12
GBK has the nail on the head I feel. 2 and a half reeds are a bit soft to get these higher sounds on the clarinet with this mouthpiece set up. However, be sure to try working with the throat cavity and voicing the sound with a hee throat position....a few momentary thoughts to the dilemna...
David Dow
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2003-09-16 05:41
Thanks folks; the stiffer reeds and raised tongue postion have made my "poor old" Selmer 10SII work just fine. I will not be standing in any Buffet line any time soon....
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-09-16 07:55
Although I am not at all hesitant to disagree with GBK, he (and others) offer sage comments here. The somewhat stiffer reed might be quite helpful, sometimes meaning the difference between success and failure in reaching these notes. "Partial-holing" of L1 may also help.
My preference for a softer reed (usually a #2) sometimes prevents my achieving a good sound on these notes, especially with the MP setup that I generally use on my Amati 602. It's not a bad penalty for the performance I enjoy over the balance of the instrument's compass.
Aside from that, here's GBK's Dirty Little Secret: he, proud owner of an even dozen R-13s, also occasionally performs on his Amati full Boehm A. Were I a wagering person, I would bet big money that his altissimo B and C are pretty much impeccable on that one or any other Clarinet.
Regards,
John
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-09-19 00:27
GBK said: "buy a Buffet" ... you make me laugh
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Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2003-09-20 02:34
diz,
You gotta problem with Buffet? Hey Bruno! We got us a wise guy over here. What should we do with him?
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