 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetpouetpouet
Date: 2010-08-18 14:35
hi there.
I just picked out a beautiful Tosca yesterday (i know, unnecessary and w/e but it's for college...music major) and had some questions. Before I had an R-13 and I have taken quite a liking to my new instrument!
1. Should I buy a new mouthpiece?
I'm using a Richard Hawkins S and I like it..but should I try the B or even the R as to accommodate the two barrels?
2. What's up with the case? Any chance that thing will fit in a single Buffet Attache case cover?
3. Should I have the repair guy look it over before I leave? I usually have to have the lower joint top cork sanded.
4. How often (and how) should I polish the keys?
5. Have you head about the new optional low E intonation correction key? Should i ask for this now or wait to see if I need it?
6. I'm a senior in High School, so should I use my Tosca in Band (not marching, just concert) or keep it at home and use my R-13? It's a very safe private school but I don't know if I should take the chance.
7. Would it be a good idea to get my instrument insured?
8. I got in in grenadilla. I live in Florida so some said the green line is more for people who live in extreme conditions. On the other hand, both the principle and second chair clarinetists in my city's orchestra play green line. I think grenadilla sounds better IMHP and looks better but idk!
9. ok last one! Any tips on getting a nice clean slur on the 12ths? I'm blowing a consistant air stream but it always seems to sound well...bleh..even on my r13 so it's obviously something i'm doing wrong.
thanks for your help!
Amanda
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Author: clarinetpouetpouet
Date: 2010-08-18 14:49
Oh, and since I will be switching on and off between my tosca and R-13..do you think it would be a good idea to get a double case? Or is that dumb to have 2 Bb in a double case? Or...should I just play my Tosca full time and use my R-13 as a backup?
As you can see I have no plan....! erh
thanks
Amanda
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-08-18 14:59
Tosca is a beautiful Opera, great clarinet solo. Oh, back to the clarinet.
Yes you should have a repairperson take a look at it after you've played it for a while to make sure everything is seating well. Also get the keys adjusted to your feelings if any of the springs are too sluggish or to weak for you.
Yes, get it insured. Have your parents put a rider on their house or apartment policy.
Greenline or grenadille, The one you like the sound, feeling and intonation is the best.
New mouthpiece, wait until you go to college. Some teachers are very insistent on what MP you should use. They insist on their students using what they use not what's best for them. I don't agree with that teaching style but several teachers do. So wait.
Yes, use the clarinet. Just break it in slowly and use common sense in caring for it.
No need to polish the keys, just wipe them clean after playing if you have a lot of acid in your fingers. You could get a polishing cloth and use it once in a while if you want.
The 12ths, I'd have to see and hear how you approach them to comment but you may not be supporting properly, closing your throat, misplacing your tongue, too high or too low, losing embouchure control, pinching or loosening. Too many variables to give a proper answer. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-08-18 15:20
As for the twelfths........... it is a good exercise to practice moving to the twelfth above WITHOUT engaging the octave key. It takes just a bit more air energy to make the twelfth pop out (start with the Low "F" to third space "C" first, eventually you should be able to do these from Low "E" through throat "F").
Once you can do these with ease, you'll find using the octave key a piece of cake!!
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: William
Date: 2010-08-18 15:43
Get the double case as you will eventually want to carry an A Tosca with your great new Bb. BTW, no harm in totting an extra Bb as a back-up--just added weight :>). Bam lightweight cases are good for students "on the go".
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-08-18 16:42
The low E/F intonation key is standard on Toscas, so you'll have it fitted anyway.
Use the extra RH F/C key for low F and E - not sure how much of a stretch it'll be for you, but the best thing to do is straddle both the F/C touch and the correction key (so your RH pinky is in the gap between the touches) instead of reaching for the correction key alone as you might accidentally use this for F/C and then use the F/C key instead of Ab/Eb. But you should get used to using it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarinetpouetpouet
Date: 2010-08-18 17:05
I know about the E/F key but there is an optional by request only key. It's called the intonation correction key for low E. It extends onto the bell and looks pretty awesome! Do you think i should get it or wait to see if my low E is out of tune a few weeks from now?
Amanda
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-08-18 18:06
The existing key will correct the tuning on the low E as it opens a small tonehole just above the tenon on the lower joint. The low E will be slightly flat as is the norm on all clarinets, so with the location of this extra tonehole it should raise the low E in pitch when playing loud.
Who offers the low E correction key as I can't see it as an option on Buffet's site? It's most likely a key that can be fitted at any point in time, though it will mean you'll have to do without your clarinet while it's being fitted.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: donald
Date: 2010-08-18 21:29
The standard correction key on a Tosca is for low F, perhaps Buffet have designed an exchange mechanism so that this key now also vents low E with a key on the bell etc (as is done on various German clarinets- though their keys are usually activated by either operation of the register key or a thumb key).
dn
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2010-08-18 23:05
I would be hesitant to spend 5,000-6,000 on a clarinet before I had at least one college degree and my playing was pretty settled in. I have seen junior high kids with Toscas and RC Prestige clarinets, so I suppose its better than that!
1) Probably not. If you like the mouthpiece, there's no need unless your credit card feels lonely or you feel the mouthpiece isn't helping you achieve your sound concept and musical goals.
2) The only way is to try! If you have an r13, just try it. I think the tosca cases are pretty cool, and you can get a case cover designed for it.
3) That couldn't hurt (as long as the repairman is reputable...some repairmen can make things worse!)
4) I would say once a month or whenever you notice there's some tarnish. It's a good idea to clean out the tone holes, oil the moving parts and generally clean the instrument at least that often anyway.
5) The key should already be on there, and it's a low f correction (as noted above) and to most Tosca users I know, is just extra weight and not too functional.
6) You bought it, play it! That's like leaving the porsche in the garage!
7) Yes. Insurance is cheap, Toscas are not.
8) I agree, grenadilla sounds a bit better to me.
9) Make sure the lower lip is not being forced against the reed (biting) and think of the upper lip coming down in an upside down U (corners coming down and in). Also, monitor the tongue position, making sure it's not sagging or adjusting too much for each note. (low note might have too low a tongue position, typically).
Hope some of these answers helped. I thought I would answer in a Tony Pay "one by one" style!
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Author: Blake Arrington
Date: 2010-08-20 00:12
The low E correction is a separate key and will give you 6 RH pinky keys, if i'm not mistaken. I'd try the clarinet and see if you need it. If not, you can head to Jacksonville and have Bruce put the key on.
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2010-08-21 02:13
Do you have an A clarinet? Was your R-13 Bb such a bad horn that you opted for a new Bb over an A? I can't imagine anyone auditioning for any of the upper tier clarinet schools auditioning playing Mozart on a Bb clarinet. It is about as bad as playing it on Eb instead of what it is written for.
Enjoy your new horn but realize it isn't going to give you an edge over anyone else playing an R13.
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