 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-09-25 01:58
I live in rural Iowa and it's 26miles in any direction to the two music stores (limited stock) in the area. I use Tenor Sax reeds (because they never have anything but Rico's) on my Grabner CXBB and a Rovner ligature. Would I get any better results using a Tenor Sax Ligature (if it would fit) and if so, what kind?? Yes I know all about buying on line but somebody has to support these local merchants and I try whenever I can. Bob A
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mike Harrelson
Date: 2001-09-25 03:25
I have a tenor sax and a bass clarinet and buy tenor reeds and bass reeds. I don't see a difference between the two reeds. Side by side they sure look and play the same to me. A lot of people have written that they are not the same but darn if I can tell the difference.
As to tenor ligature, it really depends on the mouthpiece sizes but I don't think you will find a good fit. Why not try a flat shoe lace as a ligature and see it you like it better than what you are using. Also, when next you find yourself heading to the music stores take your bass mp and ask if they have an "old ligature bin" in their repair department (repair people never throw anything away), you may find a good fit.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Stephen Froehlich
Date: 2001-09-25 03:45
No, don't go for a tenor sax lig. I don't think it will fit, besides you can mail order ligs safely. If you're stuck with Rico's, I'd also consider mail ordering reeds. The only reason IMO to go to a store to buy reeds is to visually eliminate all of the lop sided ones and the ones that have the grain running at wierd angles (See Larry Guy's reed book.)
It is perfectly viable to buy from mail order. Check out the sneezy sponsors. I generally look two places <a href="http://www.woodwindbrasswind.com/">The Woodwind & Brasswind</a> and <a href="http://www.weinermusic.com/">Weiner Music</a>. WWBW is solid service, Weiner is somewhat cheaper. Mail ordering reeds or ligatures will be pretty much the same from either, though. WWBW, being closer to you, will ship faster. (Generally they ship faster anyway.)
OK, on ligatures - they're secondary to reed choice. Once you settle on a reed/mouthpiece combination, you can tweak the sound by changing ligs. There are basically two kinds of ligatures: those that damp high harmonics of the reed and those that encourage them. The ones that damp the high harmonics can also slow articulation some. The ones that damp tend to try to couple themselves to the reed over a large area and are either soft or have some mass at the reed. The ones that encourage free vibration have small contact area and/or little mass.
In the former category are the Rovner and the Vandoren Optimum. In the later are the Bondade and the Bay light.
I personally have two ligatures - at the extremes. A Rovner and a Bonade. I don't have a lot of need for fine adjustment between the two. The right reeds make more of a difference, and the right mouthpiece yea even more so. Note: I generally play my rovner inverted as the impact on articulation is a little much for me with just the cloth coupled to the reed. Have you tried both configurations?
It would help if we knew what kind of Bass Clarinet you had and where your sound was compared to where you want it to be.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ashley
Date: 2001-09-25 04:38
I also live in Iowa....currently in Iowa City at the University of Iowa...and there's really not a whole lot of good music stores in this state. Theres Riemans' around, in Des Moines and Fort Dodge and Mason City (??), and West Music, which they have here..and some others that I dont really have any experience with. My best advice for getting reeds and the like when you live in iowa, is order from the woodwind and brasswind, ONLINE. I ordered stuff off their website, and if its in stock you should get it within a week. its great.
Sorry that didnt have much to do w/ the topic at hand..but i thought it might help..
Go Hawks!
~Ashley~
**HMB Saxes**
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2001-09-25 11:06
If you want to get these things through your local store, you can probably convince them to order them for you if you guarantee that you will actually buy it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-09-25 15:08
I have several B C ligs, standard, M Lurie [good] and current favorite, a fabric Rovner-type which I use "backwards" to simulate the reed-contact character of the Bonade [two bars] which gives me both loud and soft tone capabilities. Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-09-25 16:32
Steve and Don, yes I have noticed the diffference with my Rovner mounted "backwards" (rods on reed edges) and think that is an improved sound. As to what sound I think I should have is a really mute point and depends on whether I am wearing my hearing aids or not. With them in it sounds like the high system of the stereo is on full high and with them off it is a more mellow/dark sound. What it really sounds like I would have to get an independent opinion. I have yet to play in public or for some one other than friends/relations who will tell you what you want to hear. ;-0
Bob A
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Stephen Froehlich
Date: 2001-09-25 17:41
I don't know precisely what kind of hearing damage you have to warrant hearing aids, however the mellow sound w/o them is probably predominately coming through your skull and then with them on - well that's more like the air, but unfortunately with distortion.
Indeed, you should find someone you trust with some real patience to help you select reeds. This is true for people with healthy hearing selecting mouthpieces or instruments but is even more true for you. I'd work with someone enough to get a good idea of what a reed should sound like to you. You should still be able to sense a reed attack cleanly. If it attacks cleanly and easily, it is usually clear in tone too.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-09-25 17:49
Ligature size is determined by the mouthpiece, not by the reed used. Besides, tenor sax reeds are essentially identical in size to bass clarinet reeds. On bass clarinet, I like the old standard Vandoren metal inverted ligature, although I confess to using Rovner fabric ligatures on every other size of clarinet I play, and on all my saxes. I just find that on bass clarinet the Rovner damps out the high frequencies just a bit too much for the type of sound I try to get on b.c.
Bob, while I admire your desire to support the local merchants, consider this: If the only reeds they stock are the low-grade Ricos, are they really deserving of your support? You don't have to buy a Yugo just because it's the only car the local dealer has.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-09-25 20:53
Didn't buy the Yugo Dave, Bought the Buick Le Sabre and I didn't buy that in town either. Shhhhhhh!
Bob A
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-09-27 00:11
Dave S... said, in part:
"On bass clarinet, I like the old standard Vandoren metal inverted ligature, although I confess to using Rovner fabric ligatures on every other size of clarinet I play, and on all my saxes. I just find that on bass clarinet the Rovner damps out the high frequencies just a bit too much for the type of sound I try to get on b.c."
Stephan added a little to this thought when he said:
:OK, on ligatures - they're secondary to reed choice. Once you settle on a reed/mouthpiece combination, you can tweak the sound by changing ligs. There are basically two kinds of ligatures: those that damp high harmonics of the reed and those that encourage them. The ones that damp the high harmonics can also slow articulation some. The ones that damp tend to try to couple themselves to the reed over a large area and are either soft or have some mass at the reed. The ones that encourage free vibration have small contact area and/or little mass."
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-09-27 00:20
Dave S... said, in part:
"On bass clarinet, I like the old standard Vandoren metal inverted ligature, although I confess to using Rovner fabric ligatures on every other size of clarinet I play, and on all my saxes. I just find that on bass clarinet the Rovner damps out the high frequencies just a bit too much for the type of sound I try to get on b.c."
Stephan added a little to this thought when he said:
:OK, on ligatures - they're secondary to reed choice. Once you settle on a reed/mouthpiece combination, you can tweak the sound by changing ligs. There are basically two kinds of ligatures: those that damp high harmonics of the reed and those that encourage them. The ones that damp the high harmonics can also slow articulation some. The ones that damp tend to try to couple themselves to the reed over a large area and are either soft or have some mass at the reed. The ones that encourage free vibration have small contact area and/or little mass."
I noticed that both of these professionals considered that a low mass, metal lig to be better for articulation and retention of the high harmonics. So what is the possible solution. How about Peter Spriggs "Floating Rail" ligature that has recently gotten comment on the Yahoo Bass Clarinet page? Claims here are that these problems are resolved. Check out his webpage or msg to <Peter@spriggs.com>. He is a Sneezy sponsor and runs the "Clairnet Center" in Canada
I ordered one. Let Y'all know (IMHLO) how it works. Supposed to be mailed tomorrow.
Bob A
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-09-27 21:52
Bob,
You have to take everything Stephen F. and I say with a large grain of salt --- remember that we're both playing on those funny German Kohlert bass clarinets, not that fine French-made instrument you have --- so maybe what works for us won't work for anyone else? <lol>
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-09-28 02:59
Oh! Har de Har Dave. Tell you what. That just moved you down to maybe third on the list. I am playing Walter Grabner's CXBB mpc a great deal now and as he was interested in this lig I told him I would play around with it for a week, then go back to my Rovnor and send it on to him for his appraisal. If you'r very very nice to me, your new baby and also your wifes horses I might even let you be number two on the try it out list. Peter mailed it today.
Bob A
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
