 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2018-05-10 19:21
Hi! I'm doing the Mozart Requiem and pulled out my Selmer narrow bore basset horn. Have tried a bunch of reeds and the best sounding are 2 1/2 -3 VanDoren blue box or the 2 1/2 Steurs, with the nod going to the latter. Has anyone found something that works consistently well? I realize that the basset horn does not sound like a clarinet in volume but I'd like to get a bit closer so I'll be heard.
I have a mouthpiece that Clark Fobes made for me after he performed on the same make horn. It really helped too.
THANKS!
Eefer guy
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2018-05-10 20:01
I've had good luck using 2.5 Rue Lepic reeds with my small bore buffet basset horn. They're a bit more expensive than the standard Vandoren reeds but worth it in my opinion. I use a Penzel Muller "India hard rubber" mouthpiece although I've also used my Fobes 10K 2L on my basset horn and I've found the two mouthpieces to be very similar.
I'm suprized Fobes has a mouthpiece specifically for basset horn. When I asked him about the best mouthpiece for my basset horn he told me he couldn't help me.
With regards to the volume, from what I understand original basset horn mouthpieces were slightly larger than modern clarinet mouthpieces. I've always wanted to try using a German basset horn mouthpiece on my small bore basset horn to see if it would be any louder. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find a German basset horn mouthpiece and I have no idea where to get one so I can't test my theory.
I've also tried using Jazz/Turkish mouthpieces on my basset horn but this significantly changed the sound to the point where I thought it was unacceptable for classical/romantic music.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2018-05-10 21:48
I use a very old Portnoy BP02 with my Selmer #9 basset horn and fairly soft Gonzalez reeds, 2.5 or 2.75.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2018-05-11 02:08
I found that my regular soprano clarinet mouthpieces worked fine on my Selmer Basset Horn but needed about 1/2 strength softer reeds (2 1/2 vs 3), However I mostly use a Pillinger P16 mouthpiece with a B&H 926 bore on the Basset rather than my usual VD A2 Crystal.
You shouldn't have to much problem bring heard in the Requiem, there isn't too much competition, especially in the "solo" passages.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2018-05-11 04:41
Thank you so much for your comments. I'l give the Rue Lepics and some Gonzalez reeds a try too.
Yes I have played the Requiem 4 times previously and have performed both parts. I like the second part better on some movements as I like the lower notes on the basset horn.
Eefer guy
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2018-05-14 18:43
I also have a Selmer basset horn, and have experimented with various mouthpiece/reed combinations to broaden the dynamic range. My preferred mouthpiece is a Grabner K14, and I've steered towards relatively soft (2.5 or 3) Steuer White Line French cut reeds. I've also had good results with Behn Arias (3) - and used one for a recent performance of the Mendelssohn concert pieces, where the basset has to balance a clarinet in full cry! Unfortunately the Arias aren't generally available in the UK though, so it's likely to be more an experiment than a longer term solution.
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