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Friends in Low Places

Author: Mark Horne
Date: 2007-02-21 00:45

Hello all, I'm new to the board, but I've been lurking for a while now and have been able to find some excellent information here regarding contrabass clarinets. I'm happy to say that I will soon be among the bottom-feeder ranks as I've acquired a Leblanc 350 contra-alto (low C) from a well-known auction site, which I should be receiving shortly. Since the instrument does not come with a mouthpiece, I've had to order that separately. Even after researching thoroughly, I'm a bit confused on the proper match of tenons to instruments and reeds to mouthpiece. Here's what I ordered:

Leblanc Woodwind Contra Clarinet mouthpiece

Leblanc 2207 contrabass clarinet ligature

Vandoren contraalto/contrabass reeds strenth 2

I'm not completely sure yet, but I believe this instrument was built around 1973, give or take a couple years. My questions:

1) would this set up physically work in the leblanc 350?

2) what would be your first suggestions for improving on this set up?

I've seen a number of discussions regarding the altissimo potential of the contras which sounds intriguing, however, my primary goal is to focus on getting a solid fundamental tone in the low range. To me, the low clarinets fill a unique tonal niche in a wind ensemble - which sadly goes unfilled in so many concert bands.

As for my background, I'm a long time band geek who has resumed playing two years ago after 18 years away from wind ensemble playing (I've had other musical pursuits in the interim), but I've primarily been a french horn player. About a year ago I bought a new Yamaha 221-II bass clarinet, having had one year of prior BC playing in high school, so I consider myself a clarinet novice. I currently perform in a local community band where I still play mostly horn, but will double on BC for certain pieces - I plan to do the same with the contra - and really bring up the bottom!

Thanks for reading, Mark

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Re: Friends in Low Places

Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-02-21 13:25

Hi Mark - Welcome to our great BBoard, there is much info and friendship/understanding here. However, our contrabase players are somewhat few in number, I hope my post here may encourage some to respond. For years, I've been a bass cl player in our comm band, and have "graduated" to my smaller alto cl mainly due to age, would like to work on a c-alto perhaps, as the need is often evident. I also read/post on the Yahoo bassclarinetGroup site and believe there is a c-bass "sub-group" there ], possibly of great interest to you. Best of luck in your "LOW" endeavor. Don

Thanx, Mark, Don

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Re: Friends in Low Places

Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2007-02-21 15:38

1) would this set up physically work in the leblanc 350?

Leblanc Woodwind Contra Clarinet mouthpiece: yes, I used to own a couple of this, they are designed to fit your 350.

Leblanc 2207 contrabass clarinet ligature: don't know, but probably yes since it's a Leblanc product and Leblanc's contras only takes one size mouthpiece and hence ligature size.

Vandoren contraalto/contrabass reeds strength 2: yes these will fit your mouthpiece. You may find 2 a bit too soft though.

2) what would be your first suggestions for improving on this set up?

This setup is very good as a starter. I also find my combination of Rovner contrabass ligature, Legere synthetic reeds, and Walter Grabner's contrabass mouthpiece excellent.

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