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Help Needed on Alto

Author: Jhall
Date: 2004-01-18 03:41

I've been asked to play Alto Clarinet for a chamber music concert in an ensemble playing one of Mozart's delightful serenades. The alto part has been transposed from the basset horn part. The problem is: I have trouble focusing the sound. I may be trying to get the same projection and response as if I were playing B Flat.

I have no trouble with the range - above C6. Intonation seems OK. Would playing a basset horn be easier? The mouthpiece is a Selmer D.

I have doubled on almost everything except zither and crum horn. Alto clarinet has me stumped!

I look forward to reading and learning from your insights.

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Re: Help Needed on Alto

Author: ron b
Date: 2004-01-18 05:15

Hi, J -

I love playing alto clarinet, an open hole Bundy. I use relatively about the same mouthpiece, fairly open. Regular Rico #3 1/2 suits me with the Bb. I've found that to get a comparable sound and projection on alto I need a #2 1/2. So, for starters, I'd suggest trying different strength reeds. I also tend to take in a little more mouthpiece than I do with the Bb. Otherwise, I don't [consciously] do anything much different that with the soprano horn.

Sounds like your instrument is in good shape but I'd have it checked just to be sure. The larger horns do not tolerate mico-leaks as well as the smaller clarinets will. When they're working well, altos can get good focus and projection -- once you get used to it.

- r [cool]

n b -

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Re: Help Needed on Alto

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-01-18 14:14

The Selmer D mouthpiece is very long and open. Also, Selmer sells so few alto mouthpieces that they can't justify even keeping their facing dies in adjustment, let alone replacing parts as they get worn out, so it's always a crap shoot.

If you have the money, time and inclination, you should get a better mouthpiece. Clark Fobes is probably the best maker, but he's not cheap. Still, if you want to do a professional job, this time and every time in the future, you need to pay the price.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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Re: Help Needed on Alto

Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-01-18 14:59

Ron and Ken have given you fine advice. The alto IS diff. from Bb, bass and the bassets !! My first impulse was to suggest a more open mp, but the Sel D should be that, but may be too long a lay as suggested. I tried many mps on several altos, finally finding an old Olympia ?? which played well. Trying [also] a number of alto cls, I found a Selmer-Paris [B series] was the best [for me], I believe its bore is smaller than most of the others, LeBlanc included, more nearly the basset horn's bore. I have recently invested in a Pomarico 3 glass mp which is very good, have not played it a lot, yet. Don

Thanx, Mark, Don

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