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Aalto mpc. and reedbalance

Author: Eugene
Date: 2001-11-29 16:14

I"ve been playing on a new Fobes alto mpc. for about7days and have noticed it required a harder reed vand,3 shaved or sanded down.The response is much quicker and tone is better .I can play up to high g but sounds terrible and is inconsistent from high c and up sometimes the sound pops up a fourth or higher than the note should be.When I play high itsounds whinney like people who talk with there nose pluged is it a normal attribute of the instrument or have I not found the right lip pressure.I"ve noticed most of the time Iplay any long notes to play in tune with the band I have to drop my lower jaw and lip away from the mouth peice but it destroys the quality of the sound.Perhaps even this mouthpeice has to big a tip opening.How wuold I sand or balance the reed every time I think I got It right the reed gets soft it plays fine for the fist half of the rehersal but loses its strength the longer I play the harder my embuture tightens could this be the problem.One more thing is it possible to play in tune above high c

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RE: Alto mpc. and reeds

Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-12-01 23:32

Eugene - I've been hoping some of our very few alto players might respond. I play more bass than alto, but have not needed to go above the staff in what music I've had, so cant help there. For me it has been to just get acquainted with the DIFFERENT clarinets, their mps and reed combinations, so, Luck, Don

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RE: Alto mpc. and reeds

Author: jenna
Date: 2001-12-02 20:49

Ahh.. my apologies, I've been neglecting the BB lately. Too busy!

First - I've been playing alto for a few years, and the highest I have ever seen my music go is a D (the first note in the altissimo range, correct?). Twice in my high school concert band, and maybe three or four times with my military band in pieces like the Barber of Seville Overture and a few Christmas songs and marches. I find that overall these notes aren't worth really worrying about until you have. It is nice to be capable of them, but on the alto it's tough. I think it all depends on the level at which you play.

I play on a Bundy Geo 3 mpc, usually with just a plain Rico or Rico Royal. Like many things for the alto - reeds are hard to come by and sometimes you just have to make due. I usually hover in the size 3 range for my alto. I've found that the "high" notes are just generally weaker on the alto. Even when i'm playing strongly in the clarion range, it has that whiney sound that I think is just typical to the instrument. Is this a new problem? Or are you a new player? It does take some adjustment period, just like many other things.

As for the jumping of the octaves, etc... Check the alignments and screws. A screw that is too tight/loose can really ruin the sound, causing screeches, or stops in sound entirely.

If you need anything else go ahead and email me, or IM me at jendork181. I'm happy to help, but like I said before, I've just been really caught up in things this week. I'm sorry it took so long for me to find this question.

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