 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sandee
Date: 2002-02-08 03:08
I just got an alto clarinet. There was a very good reason, as I recall, but it really boiled down to: I like the deeper registers and I wanted it!
So, you denizens of the lower octaves, help me out, please. I'm having trouble with positioning - getting the mouthpiece to my mouth, and reaching the right hand to the proper place. Any help?
Thanx!
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-02-08 03:11
Just out of curiosity, how old are you? I mean, are you a youngster or an adult? This might make advice a little easier to give
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-02-08 03:35
diz always asks has a good question. I think he is thinking more of size in respect to your posture and proper seating position which becomes a little more critical with the bent neck and longer body.You are best advised to sit with your two feel flat on the floor, body of the instrument between your knees, and to start with you might wish to use a strap (I prefer the single hook) to take the weight off your right thumb until you get used to it. This should make the placement of the right hand a little easier if your posture is more upright and your arms are a little more relaxed with your arms closer to the trunk of your body. You may still wish to keep on using it especially if you are going to be marching with it.
Your embochure will have to change (it needs to be less tight) and you will have to take more of the mouthpiece into your mouth. You might start with a softer reed than you are used to using with your Bb and work up to harder ones (if you desire and need to) later.
You might want to try to get the Rubank Educational Library #135, "Introducing the Alto or Bass Clarinet (A Transfer methof for intermediate instruction) by H. Voxman. I got mine through the Hal Leonard website. It has a good fingering chart with it and if you ever go Bass it will come in handy.
So, press on and enjoy
Bob A
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Author: William Hughes
Date: 2002-02-08 11:50
I think Bob A just about covered it. Another question: Does your alto have all platform keywork or are there some open tone holes?
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Author: Andrea
Date: 2002-02-08 12:41
Welcome to the world of Alto. I've been playing it in community band for a couple years now, and have found a few things that worked for me.
Legere #2 Alto Sax reed (this actually has good sound for me. I tried a Bari brand reed and it was really nasty sounding on my horn, but much cheaper than Legere and my music store carries them.)
Rovner cloth ligature
Neotech neck strap (anything else was downright painful!)
I had problems with supporting the instrument and having it twist while I was playing. All the tension of trying to keep it steady and still play with good tone was really a challenge. I finally settled on a modified guitar stand to rest the bell on. I use the portion that would support the neck of the guitar, dropped to a height that puts the mouthpiece at the right height (plus my neckstrap). The neck support has rubber tubing on it so my bell doesn't get scratched. I threw away the part that the bottom of the guitar would sit on, and pruned back the tube of the neck support so I could drop it as low as it needed to be. It's adjustable for my chair height on any given day. It folds up to be slightly bigger than my music stand.
I find that I end up with my right heel resting on one of the prongs of the guitar stand, more to raise my leg up a bit rather than for stability. That makes my right arm lightly rest on my leg, just above the wrist. That seems to be a comfortable position for me, but it's self taught, so it could be the worst technique in the world!
The good news is that now that I've solved the comfort and stability problems I'm having a good time and my playing is improving. The first few weeks with a bad neck strap and a twisting horn were NOT pleasant!!!!
Good Luck!
Andrea K.
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Author: sandee
Date: 2002-02-08 14:59
Wow, you all are wonderfully helpful! Thank you so much!
I'm (technically) an adult - 48 years old - in my second childhood. In my first childhood, I played a little bass clarinet, though my primary instrument was bassoon. This alto is so cool, I love it! The range is better than an alto sax, the fingers are pretty much the same, and it is just plain fun.
One of the problems, I believe was because I was sitting in a comfortable, low easy chair. I shal sit up and pay attention!
Thanks again!
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-02-08 15:38
Sandee -
You shouldn't play alto without either a neck strap or a floor peg. Lots of people have trouble just with the weight of a soprano clarinet, and alto weighs substantially more.
I've seen people play alto with the bell outside their right leg, which is possible with a neck strap, but I think you pull your left arm around too much that way. It should go between your legs if possible.
Since it's your own instrument, you can have a floor peg holder soldered to the bell or put on the bottom of the lower joint with screws. Steve Fox did that on my contra-alto for $90, and it was worth every cent. If you decide to do it, the best design is a holder with a pointed bolt-type fastener that screws in perpendicular to the peg. The peg should have indentations drilled own the side, so the bolt can fit into them and hold solidly. I've had trouble with holders that tighten a split ring around the rod. They slip too much.
Finally, get a rubber tip for the bottom of the peg. If you have trouble finding one, get a Super Ball (which has great friction) or other solid rubber ball and drill a hole for the end of the peg.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-02-09 15:09
Bob A and Ken S have given you good advice. I concur on straight up/down location and play mine with a two hook neck strap , and need to pull my right foot somewhat back so as to not interfere with right hand fingering. A peg [also] would help on extended passages. In comm band, I like the very few solos, apart from the alto saxes, which will cover the alto cl !! Yes, as on the bass cl, the lower tones are GREAT. I pretend I'm playing a basset horn, it improves my sounds! Luck, Don
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