 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: HungryTurkey
Date: 2005-12-10 20:52
There is always much talk of different reeds, mouthpieces, ligatures, etc, but usually in reference to the Bb
I only play the alto now because I'm a geek (hahaha, kidding). I'm borrowing a school instrument, because I'm a university student and can't swing the $$ for a nice alto at the minute, but I am curious if there are different ligatures that people have tried and liked with their altos.
There aren't exactly a variety of alto ligatures (or alto anything) lying around to just experiment with so that would have to be ordered online, so I wanted to hear opinions before I'd buy
The instrument I'm borrowing at the minute is a Selmer Paris with a C* mouthpiece. I've always played on a C* and like it, but have no basis for comparison. General dislike or like of the C* as well?
I am not a music major by any stretch of the imagination, but play in the clarinet ensembles and want to keep enjoying my hobby. 
Thanks
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-12-10 21:10
I can't help you as I've never played an Alto...or a Bass. I know I'm missing something.
Bob Draznik
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-12-10 21:16
I use a Rovner ligature on my alto mouthpiece (Bill Street). Very happy with it.
I've also used a metal ligature, which was fine, but since I play a basset horn (Leblanc), I prefer the Rovner because it seems to offer a better quality of brightness - not too bright.
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Author: Bnewbs
Date: 2005-12-10 21:26
BG Super Revalation is the one I like best for alto clarinet. It works very well for me ( much better than Rovner) and way cheaper than a VD Optimum. Projection is pretty good, articulation as well. As for mouthpeces I use a C* as well, works real well, much better than a vandoren. I would like to try one of the new Grabner ones at some point. (I play on an old Kohlert alto with VD blue box 3.5's)
Ben
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-12-10 21:37
I played my Selmer-Paris B series alto cl last nite at our Comm Band concert, on my Pomarico 3 glass mp using a Bonade [reg] ligature and was happy with the tonal quality, playing several movements from Bizet's L'Arlesienne Suite 2 [had a duet with Fr horn !], and other pieces. I have used a Rovner on it REVERSED [the screw and bars in front, ala Bonade, but prefer the Bonade for reed security. Otherwise I have the regular ligs for my other mps, only an old Olympia mp is nearly as good as my Pom. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: bass9396
Date: 2005-12-10 23:03
I say Bonade. Bass is my primary and Bonade does very well.....if you run across a Harrison those are amazing too. C* is fine....I'd recommend the D (my personal favorite) for any Clarinet.
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Author: Mike Hancock
Date: 2005-12-12 21:06
I also use a Rovner lig on an old Selmer CL 370. I have a C* mp and a Bundy that was re-faced by Dave S. I must be a "geek" too, since I do enjoy the Alto and get to play it occasionally in a community band.
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Author: swkeess
Date: 2005-12-13 01:23
BG Super Revelation ligature works well for this geek, as well. I've been experimenting with Gonzalez alto sax #3 reeds on my alto and they sound quite nice. I also use Rico Royal 3 or 31/2 alto clarinet reeds with good results. I'm playing on an older Buffet Prestige alto clarinet, which has a lovely full sound.
Susan Keess
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Author: Bnewbs
Date: 2005-12-13 01:32
I wish that Gonzales would make an alto clarinet reed, although the alto sax ones do work, but not quite like a real alto clarinet reed (atleast not on my C*). I guess I will stick with VD till then,
Ben
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Author: HungryTurkey
Date: 2005-12-13 01:40
Thanks guys for the advice so far. Anyone else with thoughts, please feel free to throw it in!
I just use Vandorens as well...wasn't as fond of the Rico Royale (perhaps it was the cut, I only got one or two to sample) and alto sax reeds generally drive me nuts although I'm not sure why.
Glad to hear I'm not the only "geek" out there either I really like the alto and happy to hear that not everyone thinks it should be eradicated off the face of the earth, hehe.
Will definately start looking into ligatures/possibly mouthpieces and see if I can't find a few to try
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Author: massa
Date: 2005-12-13 22:17
I played on Yamaha's pro alto horn.
Vandoren B40 with BG traditional (or is it Standard?) whatever the cheapest of the fabric line of ligatures served me well. The mouthpiece and lig came with the instrument were not bad at all either...
I think I liked the open mouthpiece because of its open feeling. Alto tends to be a bit more stuffy than,,, say a bass counterpart, or even than a Bb sop.
Not much experiment with ligatures, but
I didn't like the Vandoren's fabric ligature (pre-optimum model)... It just dampen the sound too much and gave dull responses for my liking. Cannot speak of Optimum models... never used.
Mmmmm, I miss playing the alto. It's fun!!
- m
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Author: Dominic
Date: 2005-12-14 00:13
I play on a Selmer Series 9 with Selmer C* mpc and Rovner dark ligature. I usually use MARCA alto clarinet reeds but also have tried using alto sax reeds.
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Author: Michelle
Date: 2005-12-15 19:09
I use either a Rovner light or a VanDoren Lig with the rubber inside. I switch things with all my instruments now, thanks to this darn board. Before I found this board I was perfectly happy with my same old boring setup that I had used for 15+ years!!
You are right about the lack of variety for Alto Clarinets - some tenor sax ligs will work too. The Rovner I am using is actually for a tenor. I wouldn't know it but for the brass screw instead of silver.
As for the Selmer mpc - I have one and it's fine - I also have a Yamaha 4C and a VD B44. Of the 3, for MY instrument, I prefer the B44 but that's only because I don't have a Grabner or crystal ... yet
For reeds, I have VD blue-box and Marca alto clarinet & alto sax. I've also used my daughter's Rico Royal alto sax reeds.
I love my alto clarinet - it has a gorgeous sound and plays extremely well, my only complaint being a buzzy middle B and C.
Alto clarinet players gotta stick together!!
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