 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: blazian
Date: 2007-12-13 21:13
I bought an eefer on that auction site. I knew it would be some cheap import (for $150 INCLUDING shipping? WOW!), but I just felt like buying one anyway. Has anyone tried a Laval Eb clarinet? It didn't sound too bad IMHO.
I was hoping maybe some veteran eefer player can tell me what I can do to help me improve my tone quality. I think one of my problems is the cheap mouthpiece (not to mention the cheap clarinet). Any suggestions on mp brands and corresponding reed strengths? I was looking at the Selmer mouthpieces. Are they okay to buy? I can't afford anything over $40 really.
I was also wondering what changes in the embouchure are made when switching from Bb to Eb clarinet.
- Martin
Post Edited (2007-12-14 20:59)
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Author: Neal Raskin
Date: 2007-12-15 00:43
I use a Vandoren 5RV and that suits me very well. I play a lot of Eb and one thing I do to improve tone quality and production, is to "miniaturize" everything. I try to work on tongue and throat position (voicing) every time I practice. Lots of practice between intervals helps. Always practice slow! It doesn't matter how good you are, going slow is the key to success. So like Alex said above, "lots and lots and lots of good air stream" This is another important factor. Email me if you want some more detailed pointers.
Best wishes,
N.M. Raskin
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2007-12-15 01:00
Get the best horn your can afford and then practice like crazy. Long tones are especially helpful, or were in helping me to decide not to pursue the eefer and just stay with the Bb sop and Bb bass clarinet. Oh, and now I'm waiting for my Leblanc paperclip contrabass to come out of the shop.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: andyjay
Date: 2007-12-15 04:28
Hi,
I'm loving my Bundy Eefer, especially after buying a mouthpiece from Walter Grabner.
What a difference !
Enjoy,
Andy
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2007-12-15 12:50
Of the less expensive mouthpieces, the VanDoren 5RV is very good but also the Hite. It gives some of the more expensive mouthpieces a run for the money. I used a Selmer mouthpiece when i started and it was very good although a friend had one that was horrible. Guess that goes for every brand!
Clark Fobes makes an Eb extension that vents and makes the lower notes speak easier and improves the intonation of the horn as a whole. If you are having intonation problems I would suggest it strongly.
Eb is really quite a different instrument than Bb. Most of the parts are in the upper range of the instrument and i would spend more of my time working that part of the instrument than the lower notes. Peter Hadcock orchestral excerpts book will give you a good feel for the kind of character the instrument has, definitely a sassier beast than the Bb. This book also has a wonderful list of alternate fingerings for notes. Even on a good horn these often come in handy. His "never fail high E" is one fingering I gravitate towards often for example.
For reeds I use cut off Bb reeds. They seem to give a bigger sound than the Eb reeds but that does not work on every mouthpiece apparently although it did on all of mine. I play 3 1/2 Bb reeds on the Eefer but always used 4+ Eb reeds on the same horn and mouthpiece.
Eefer CAN be a lot of fun!
Eefer guy
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