 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Robyn
Date: 2004-05-30 21:30
Hi everyone,
I've run into a problem (partially my own fault) that I need solved fairly quickly, so I am tapping into every source of clarinet knowledge that I know of......
I was hired to play the Reed 4 book for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It was kind of a last minute thing because I am replacing someone who couldn't do the gig after all, but I didn't realize until I accepted that over half the book is bass clarinet. I don't have much bass clarinet experience, but I figured with a week of good, hard practice, I should be fine. The problem I have is that I rented an instrument from our local music store and it came with a stock mouthpiece that has a very open facing. I'm used to playing on a Richard Hawkins B facing, so this is taking a lot of getting used to. After two days of practice, I am still unable to play anything above top line F, unless I play a scale up to it, and even then it is unreliable and I sound like a dying goose most of the time.
This gig is already getting expensive because I've decided to purchase a bass clarinet stand, but I'm not sure that I am going to be able to continue with this mouthpiece. Is there a mouthpiece available that is more closed, but is somewhat affordable (less than $100)? How else might I go about begging/borrowing/stealing (just kidding) a better mouthpiece? I guess I'll spend the $100 if I have to, but I'm quickly watching everything I'm earning from this show go down the drain.
Thanks for any help you can offer,
Robyn
P.S. I have a lesson tomorrow when I can ask these same questions, but in the meantime, assuming my instrument is in good repair (which I assume it is because it is brand new) is there anything else I can be doing to increase the reliability of those notes?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-05-30 22:06
While you may have other problems than mps, my suggestions of "medium" mps, generally available, would be Selmer C*, or its relative, Bundy 3. My Pomarico 3's, some jewel designation, would be even better, but costly. I'd suggest a check-up on your bass, register keying in particular, pads in general, and help from a bass clist. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2004-05-30 23:45
You may also want to check out HS* mpc for bass clarinet. For some reason, the friends I have that have just learned the bass clarinet this year (switching from Bb) have had more success with the HS* than the C*! They complain about how my C* and the one that the one friend bought aren't very good for them, so I assume it was because they were used to the HS*.
Also, remember the half hole! I had to teach this to my little doubling friends because they couldn't get higher than a C.
--CG
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Author: William
Date: 2004-05-31 01:12
And, it may not be your mouthpiece but simply an adjustment problem. Don't just assume that a rental instrument is in top playing condition. You should be able to play those notes on any mouthpiece, regardless of its configuration--facing, opening, etc. However, a custom mouthpiece from Walter Grabner, for instance, will make those problem notes from G5 through C6 play much easier. But before you buy a new, expensive mouthpiece, take it back to you rental facilities repair department for some "fine tuning". Its probably just a tiny leak.
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Author: Dawne
Date: 2004-05-31 10:22
Hi,
I was in the same spot as you this past January. I rented a brand new Vito, and was not able to get above the same F. I decided it was probably the horn, (no double register key), and ALSO the mouthpiece. I eventually bought a horn with a double register key, and a bundy 3 mouthpiece, and what a huge difference it all made! Every note comes out without difficulty. By, the way...I also generaly play on very closed mouthpieces.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-05-31 13:02
I have several times been asked to work on a bass clarinet, bought second hand, with 4 or 5 mouthpieces in the case.
The clarinet has been in a atrocious state of unadjustment, and once the instrument was adjusted correctly, all mouthpieces worked just fine.
Never rush into attempting a fix by changing the mouthpiece until you KNOW that the instrument is adjusted properly. Otherwise you are more than likely just wasting money.
Clearly in the cases I have encountered, the owner first kept trying to solve problems by changing the mouthpiece, and eventually gave up and sold the instrument, when all it needed was correct adjustment.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-06-02 07:12
I think that your upper register stuffiness is very probably the horn. If you rented it, it must be a plastic Bundy, Vito or Yamaha. I have the one-piece Yamaha and it is murder in that range.
If you have to use a plastic bass with a single register vent, I suggest the newer model Yamaha YCL-221--the one that comes apart in the middle and has the rubber o-rings on the tenons. I am hearing great things about these, and the two that I've tried have been very impressive in their upper register response.
I don't know what part of the country you're in, but I know that the Music & Art Centers can get this model for rental.
Good luck.
Allen Cole
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