 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: AmandaSmith107
Date: 2011-08-21 18:49
I've started seriously working on A clarinet the past few months and the transition has been a little rough. Any tips on how to adjust a little better?
Thanks!
Amanda
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-08-21 19:04
Amanda -
What are your problems? Bb-to-A should be a nearly effortless transition. If not, the A clarinet is probably leaking.
Ken Shaw
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2011-08-21 19:18
First of all, it's very likely that your A clarinet has slightly bigger resistance than your Bb (this is true in almost all case. I have tried at least 200 pro clarinets up today). For eg. I have Buffet RC Prestige Bb and an RC A. My A clarinet has a beautiful tone and even response, but I use softer reeds when playing on A clarinet to achive the same resistance what I feel when playin on the Bb. Don't think anything dramatic, I just use the softer ones from the same strength I use on Bb. This eliminates the usual buzz in the low register in piano dynamic level.
Plus I recommend to play the usual warming up with Bb in one day and use A in the other. Many A clarinet could be fine player if they would be played as much as a Bb. This is similar what happens to old pro violins when resting for dacades. Their tone becomes restricted a bit until someone start to use it. In the case of the seldom used A clarinets the uneven moisture level could be the asnwer to this phenomenon.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-08-21 20:41
Suggest you play and practise on the A as much as possible, especially the technical passages as these are often a little more resistant on A than Bb.
It's surprising how much easier they then seem when you go back onto Bb.
In my repair business nearly all pairs of clarinets I se have the Bb looking well worn and the A is pristine.
It makes sense to use the A regularly to even out the wear also and additionally aclimatising the A to regular exposure to playing moisture is a very good thing.
If the playing differences are really marked however have a good tech check the A over just in case of problems.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-08-22 00:27
Are both of the horns from the same maker, such as Buffet? Often it's really hard to match horns.
You can try all sorts of things to get it playing somewhat like the Bb, but they will always play a bit different than your Bb.
Try different barrels from people that hand make them to different companies that mass produce them. Often hand made barrels will help a lot.
Have a repairman check the horn out for leaks and key height, then work with him or her to free up the horn. I've changed the octave tube under the left hand thumb key. That made a HUGE difference in freeness. This tube is much shorter than the one installed in your horn.
Email me if you wish to get the info regarding the this tube.
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Author: AmandaSmith107
Date: 2011-08-22 16:05
My B-flat is a Leblanc Concerto, and the A clarinet is a university owned horn. It's a Buffet, but it doesn't tell what model it is. The resistance is the main thing I'm having problems with...that and some stuffy notes on the horn.
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