 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2013-06-06 17:10
I was first inspired by a German bore bass clarinet played by Manfred Preis. It took me some time to discover the German bass and ever since I have been chasing after the German sound.
I compared a Yamaha 4C to my Pillinger German bass mouthpiece, which is somewhat smaller than the French ones. I dislike the jazzy sound the 4C gives but I fell in love with the natural, subtle sound of the German mouthpiece.
So I'm deciding to go with a German bore. You guys think this is a good idea. I'm already playing the German mouthpiece regularly, so should take a big step forward and an entire German Reform Boehm bass too?
Josh
Post Edited (2013-06-07 13:20)
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2013-06-07 16:15
Well, what do you guys prefer? The French bore or German bore bass?
Josh
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2013-06-07 17:36
For me, depends on the music. For clarinet ensembles or orchestral works where blending with the soprano clarinets is most important (e.g. much of Mahler) I prefer the German-system bass, but for works where a deep, organ-like or "hollow" sound is appropriate, I play Boehm-system. Also, I tend to use Oehler-system for German works when it makes sense to do so, but Boehm-system for French music, probably out of a misplaced and ignorant sense of "cultural accuracy".....
I'd say, enjoy them both! If you absolutely have to choose one and give up the other, though, the Boehm-system bass is MUCH more prevalent worldwide and so will be easier to find equipment for in the future.
Asking "us guys" what we like is probably a waste of your time, especially considering there are maybe 3 regular contributors to this forum who play Oehler bass with any regularity (if at all).
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-06-07 17:56
If you like the German sound and still want Boehm system keywork, then I can't see any reason for you not to go for a reform Boehm bass.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2013-06-08 07:31
David, which of 3 moutpieces do you use the most for your Uebel bass?And do alto sax reeds do well on the Uebel?
Josh
Post Edited (2015-11-14 17:59)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2013-06-09 01:36
Joshua, I've mostly been using the modified Pomarico crystal tenor sax mouthpiece on the Uebel bass; I use regular French-style bass clarinet or tenor sax reeds with this mouthpiece.
Backup is the (also highly modified) Pomarico crystal alto clarinet mouthpiece, which can use either alto clarinet or alto sax reeds -- I've found no real difference between the two types, within any given brand.
It's been a while since I've used the original Uebel orange hard rubber mouthpiece (completely refaced and with the chamber opened way up) -- I just prefer the feel and sound of crystal mouthpieces.
And since I'll never be able to afford a Lamborghini, I drive the next best things --- a couple of old Fiats.
Post Edited (2013-06-09 03:11)
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2013-06-09 04:27
Well David, Ed Pillinger makes a mouthpiece similar to your alto mouthpiece, though not on his online catalogue.
Its main objective is to boost the sound bigger so to match the sound of the French bore bass. it is essentially an alto mouthpiece with an enlarged bore and tenon, as well as raising the baffle quite a bit. Like your Pomarico, it uses alto reeds. He even offers a slightly different variant for optimum performance with alto sax reeds!
And also my future German bass is very likely to be the Foag custom Reform Boehm bass 92 to Low Eb.
Josh
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-06-09 13:21
I found one brief YouTube video of Manfred Preis playing with several others in a phone booth. He sounded great. Are there other videos of him? Also, which of his CDs are good?
Ken Shaw
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