 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: chorusgirl
Date: 2011-12-17 20:24
My son has played clarinet for 5 years now, and is interested in picking up bari sax - any suggestions for a mouthpiece/reed set up that won't break my budget? I see in WWBW that they have mps from $14.99 (!) on up.
He currently plays clarinet on a Vandoren M15 on Mitchell Lurie size 3 reeds.
Thanks!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tobin
Date: 2011-12-17 20:31
I have enjoyed using Clark Fobes' Nova bari sax mouthpiece with Vandoren 3's/3.5's, but the reeds that I normally play on clarinet would translate to a Lurie 5 I think.
The Nova mouthpiece is great, but it is $149.
James
Gnothi Seauton
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: denkii
Date: 2011-12-17 21:40
Would clarinet to bari sax not be quite a big jump? I've been actually wanting to switch to soprano sax as I've been playing clarinet for about 5 years as well. Quite frankly, I could barely even hold a tenor sax properly, let alone a baritone haha.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-12-17 22:30
Bari sax is a much easier and incredibly agile instrument to play considering what it looks like - the low notes especially are much easier to play on bari than alto or tenor.
But please make an effort with it at all times and aim to make a well supported and full tone instead of settling with a thin, farty, buzzy tone that some people seem to think is acceptable (and gives bari saxes a bad reputation).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tobin
Date: 2011-12-17 22:52
That's a wonderful offer David!
denkii -- everyone's experience is different, but I have never found clarinet to saxophone (any voice) that great a challenge.
James
Gnothi Seauton
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: davyd
Date: 2011-12-18 00:50
Depending on how strong he is, you might want to get him a harness-style strap, rather than a regular neck strap. BG makes a good one.
Post Edited (2011-12-18 05:00)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kilo
Date: 2011-12-18 14:21
If your son goes through with this and you want a harness I have a spare Slider Strap that's really comfortable with a baritone — if you're interested, e-mail me. One good thing about moving from clarinet to baritone sax is that the embouchure is so much different than a clarinet embouchure. Sometimes clarinetists who double on alto or tenor try to use a clarinet approach and it doesn't work very well.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2011-12-18 20:53
The Vandoren series of bari sax mouthpieces are great. I use the old version called a B101. It is a very nice bari sound.
Freelance woodwind performer
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: chorusgirl
Date: 2011-12-18 21:50
My son, although only 15, is 5"11 and weighs 180, so I think he can manage a bari sac. Still, if you think he should use a harness instead of a neck strap, I'll do that for him.
Thank you, all, as always, for your input. Much appreciated!
Now that my concert season has ended (had the last performance today) I can do my shopping and enjoy the holiday - best to all for whatever holiday you celebrate!
~Marge
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-12-18 22:30
If he does choose to wear a sling, make sure you get a good one with a strong hook - not a plastic hook a they can break without warning. I use a Wiseman leather dog lead style sling which has a nickel plated bronze snap on hook (the kind found in yacht chandlers) and there's no chance of the bari coming off that.
I was also 15 when I began playing bari (and also 5'11") and never got on with harness-style slings - I've always used slings and also use playing stands when doing a lot of seated playing which doesn't involve any standing (which is where I'd use a sling) - the Jiffy stand is expensive, but is an excellent bit of kit and it makes doubling while playing in pit bands dead easy. There are some types of bari slings that will loop around your belt and run up your back and over your shoulders which take the strain off your neck.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
