 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Speculator Sam
Date: 2018-04-11 03:14
So, my brand new Selmer 1430LP bass came in today. I noticed that practice today was a little more difficult. Fortes were mezzo at best, and pianssimo was swallowed and impossibke.
The mouthpiece was different than what came with my former bass. Still using the same reed (like I haven't finished this box yet so like the individual reed I'd use today).and ligature. I read the article on breaking in wooden clarinets found on this website, but I'm not sure if there's a particular protocol for resonite bass clarinets or clarinets in general. Thanks for reading.
I found that bathing the neck joint and hot water and ajax during my intermitint breaks, using silver and brass cleaner the first time has reduced the resistance a little bit.
Post Edited (2018-04-11 03:17)
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2018-04-11 03:18
If you are using a different mouthpiece you will likely need to find a new strength of reed that works for that mouthpiece. Ideally you should replace the mouthpiece with a better one, especially since you already spent the money on a new bass. Stock mouthpieces are rarely good, especially with student level instruments. Consider getting a Fobes Debut mouthpiece and some reeds of various strength.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2018-04-11 03:20
Wait... is this a brand new bass clarinet or is this instrument used? If used, has it been checked over by a qualified technician?
Edit: Nevermind
Also please don't use Ajax on the neck, you really shouldn't need to use any cleaner on a new instrument. Just swab it out.
-Jdbassplayer
Post Edited (2018-04-11 03:25)
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Author: Speculator Sam
Date: 2018-04-11 04:21
Thanks for the responses. The instrument is brand new, but has been in the warehouse of the rental company I rent from. So, it's unopened aside from the inspection the rental company did yesterday (they overnighted it to me :D). I realize that silver cleaner and Brasso work by eating a layer of metal, that being said the instrument was in the warehouse and it's shipped quite some miles away, so the brass tenon (not cork) was a little tarnished.
I learned something today, thank you. Although, wouldn't it make sense to at least use warm water to prep the neck and/or bell about a month from now when tarnish actually does collect on it?
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2018-04-11 04:34
Generally you should wipe the neck off along with the keys and bell with a dry microfiber cloth after each time you play. This will prevent tarnish and will help the plating last longer. Cleaning the neck with warm soapy water is fine, but it's not really necessicary and can leave mineral deposits behind.
Don't worry too much about the bare brass tenon. If you polish it too often the neck can become loose. It's just better to let it tarnish, it's not like you see it when the instrument is assembled anyway.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: GenEric
Date: 2018-04-11 06:16
I would just play it for a while to get used to it.
I just watched Earspasm's video on the same bass clarinet that you have. I think you might have left one of the cork pad savers on. Might double check to see all the corks are off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTAS7-Y8PiQ
If you're having trouble with the fortes and pianissimos are hard, that means either the bass clarinet is more resistant that your previous one or that the reed or mouthpiece you're using is too hard. It could also mean that you have a small leak. I'd double check with a repair tech to see if everything is working. What sucks about buying online is that it's very common to have a leaking instrument.
You never mentioned if you were using your previous mouthpiece or the one that came with the instrument. Perhaps use your previous and see how it blows. If you're looking for a new mouthpiece, I love the Fobes Debut mouthpiece. Plays better than my Vandoren.
As for the tenon on the neck, it should not be plated. It's intentionally left without nickel plating so if it's a yellowy copper color, that's normal. I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you could send pictures, that'll give us some info on what you're concerned about.
I would not do anything fancy with your new instrument. Just a wipe and swab making sure that everything is clean. I'd pay special attention to the pads making sure that they aren't wet to prevent sticky pads. Just use a microfiber cloth, place it on the key that's wet, and remove it without sliding.
Post Edited (2018-04-11 06:18)
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Author: Speculator Sam
Date: 2018-04-11 06:57
I just learned how to prevent sticky keys. Thanks GenEric. Also, I've triple checked all the shims are off, and both big clarinets, same model, came from a rental company. The difference is that is one is a brand new instrument, where as the previous was probably the former instrument of many middle-schoolers (it was very tarnished and deteriorated keys all over, but it sounded awesome and was very easy to play and get dynamics).
The rental company has repair technicians, and wonderful part is I can send the instrument in at any time to inspect and/or do regular maintenance. I'm not concerned with the copper/brass tenon section. The mouthpiece for both instruments was both the stock mouthpiece; am working on getting a new mouthpiece.
Oddly enough, I was quite comfortable with the stock mouthpiece on the former instrument. The reed I use are 2.5 Vandoren Traditionals. I've been playing these for three months, and I've been playing for eight months now, so that's definitely not the case. The instrument has a similar timbre to the previous Selmer 1430LP, but it seems that dynamics are limited to the "mezzo-box" and I have to do my long tones about 15bpm slower than normal.
I'll start wiping the pads from now on, and I'll keep at it with the three hour practices.
Post Edited (2018-04-11 06:59)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2018-04-11 08:12
Just because a mouthpiece is the same model and a reed is the same brand and strength, doesn't mean the setup is the same. It's entirely possible that this mouthpiece is terrible compared to the previous same model one, etc.
A leak or a mouthpiece/reed issue are the most common reasons for an instrument being resistant so it's especially hard playing pianissimo.
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Author: Speculator Sam
Date: 2018-04-12 04:22
Oh hey quick update, the bass played much easier today. Pianissimo's possible now, but the forte's are still somewhat resistant. It's weird, through the majority of practice I was having an easier time maintaining air and not having to inhale quite as often as yesterday, but long tones were done at 130bpm today. Yesterday the long tones were at 98....
I'll feel like this is an odd ball day for long tones but I suppose I'll simply build from 130 and one day it'll beyond the number I was at before the bass clarinet repair which was 87bpm for bass and 68 for soprano. BTW if you're lost this is the long tones I use https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDmU7J1U3Hw&t=5s
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Author: GenEric
Date: 2018-04-12 07:53
I guess the pads haven't fully seated yet as it is a new bass clarinet. I would just keep on playing it and keep practicing.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2018-04-12 08:12
>> I guess the pads haven't fully seated yet as it is a new bass clarinet. <<
This shouldn't be necessary. If adjustment is good then it can only get worse, not better, from playing.
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2018-04-12 16:26
Probably more of a player learning curve than an equipment change.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: Speculator Sam
Date: 2018-04-14 01:02
Hello again. The clarinet is now very responsove. Let's all celebrate, and acknowledge that if I can't seem to get a forte out and hold it its because I'm a mediocore clarinet player like Squidward and should be doing my long tones. Thanks for reading and responding everyone!
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