 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Andrea
Date: 2000-12-26 14:38
Hi all. I've been reading and learning a lot, but haven't talked much. Thanks for all I've learned from this group!
I recently took the plunge and picked up a used alto clarinet on ebay. I took it in for service and am anxiously awaiting it's return! (I played around a bit, but it was missing a couple screws, so there was nothing like a full scale test.) The technician estimated 2 hours for "good playability"... replace the missing screws, a new cork, a few new pads and lots of adjustment. He also offered the total break-down and repad and rebuild. I choose the $60 version rather than the $280 version for now. It's a Bundy that appears to have been through a few years in the school system. Nothing special, but enough to get me started.
I've been playing Bb soprano with a community band, and I'm going to see if they have interest in an alto. We have a lot of Bb's, and no alto. There is a bass clarinet, but we're short on drummers so she's been sacrificed to the bass drum most of the time, lol.
All that said.....
What should I be aware of as I start playing with my new toy? I seemed to have "respectable" sound on my first attempts. I picked up a Rovner ligature and a couple different strength reeds to see what I liked.
Next ebay searches Eb and Bass!!!!!!
Thanks all!
Andrea K.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2000-12-26 15:09
Go for the bass. i have been at it for a month and now it is starting to come togeather. Really is a fun horn. The low notes are really, really low. The nice thing is that it is still a Bb horn. Sme fingering.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-12-26 17:43
Andrea -
You need a decent mouthpiece for your alto clarinet. With most of what you find, it's hard to sound like anything more than a cow with a bad cold.
The Selmer C* is the place to start. It probably goes for about $60 at Woodwind & Brasswind, but unfortunately their website, http://www.wwandbw.com/index.html, is off-line right now. With shipping, a ligature and a cap, you'll spend close to $100, but it's worth it.
For something a lot better, send a brand new Selmer C* to Everett Matson, who works wonders. He has no web site or e-mail address, but lives and works at 41 Pemberton Ave., Oceanport, NJ 07757. Write or call him first at (732) 542-0921.
Your very own alto clarinet. I'm so jealous.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Melanie
Date: 2000-12-27 03:38
Andrea,
Just a hint for buying reeds: get alto sax reeds. That's what I use for alto clarinet. They are much cheaper and work (imho) better. The poor little alto clarinet has always been looked upon as the bastard member of the clarinet family -- the result of a doomed love affair between a bass and a soprano.
Composers write the alto parts to double the alto saxes or the 3rd clarinets because normally the alto player is the last chair soprano clarinet that directors throw onto alto for lack of any other options. This makes for sad times for good alto players. The instrument, when played well, is absolutely gorgeous. It's lighter than bass but richer than soprano and serves its purpose well in linking those two voices.
Go ahead and try playing it in your group, but be prepared to also play something else -- not every piece has alto clarinet parts. Good luck!
Melanie
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Author: Stephen Froehlich
Date: 2000-12-27 05:49
I'm primarily a Bass clarinetest, however, my favorite horn in the clarinet family is the alto. It can achieve the tone colors that make both the Bb and the bass unique IMO. (Lyrical clarion and a good evil growl at the bottom of the chalumeau.)
Unfortunately, its somewhat neglected in both composition and instrument making. (Its hard to justify spending money on when you need the bass and need the Bb and they can, together, achieve the same effect.)
I second Melanie's comment about using Sax reeds. Its a "trick" bass clarinets use from time to time, but on the alto, there is really little other choice for good reeds at a reasonable price. (After all, alto saxes grow on trees.)
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Author: Robert
Date: 2001-01-01 20:08
Well I've played them all, oh and what they said about using Alto Sax reeds... it depends on what mouthpeice your using.... If your using a Selmer Alto Clarinet Mpc... use Alto Sax reeds... but if your using a Buffet or LeBlanc Mpc... you need to use Alto Clarinet Reeds (because the Alto Clarinet reeds are slightly smaller, and the Buffet and LeBlanc seem to be made for those because their opening is a bit smaller). The big problem with playing Alto Clarinet, is parts... usually you end up doubling the Alto Saxes... I also think that the Alto Clarinet is probobly the hardest one to play out of all the clarinets (except maybe the Contra because it just takes so much wind, and if you play too long you end up fainting from lack of air).
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Author: Andrea
Date: 2001-01-02 14:21
Thanks for all the tips. I better start my aerobics program... I'd hate to faint in practice, it would probably give other members of our group a heart-attack. I think the *average* age of the group I play with is mid-sixties. They are a very talented bunch thats lets me play too.
Andrea
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