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Buzzing Bass

Author: Tim
Date: 2002-02-09 21:44

I recently got interested in playing the Bass. After trying a couple varieties just before the end of the year, I chose the new Yamaha 221 model. I've been practicing with it for a month now and think I've got the basics down. There just been once challenge that I haven't been able to figure out, even with the help of a couple of local band directors whose primary instrument is the soprano. I hoping someone here on Sneezy can help.

I'm getting a consistent buzz coming from the reed and mouthpiece area. The lower I play or the louder I play, the more pronounced the buzz. The tone coming out of the intrument is quite nice, but the buzz is persistent. By not playing so loud, I can make it disappear on the low B flat and the low G, but the A between it will buzz as the same volume. I've tried a harder reed and that makes it worse. I've tried other brand reeds and no change. I've replaced the ligature with a Rover and it improved, but still buzzes.

I've spent hours experimenting with reed and ligature position with little improvement to show for it. Placing the reed so that it sticks out past the end of the mouthpiece seems to be the best position to minimize the buzz, but tht doesn't seem right.

The only things I know I haven't tried is a softer reed and changing the mouthpiece (the std Yamaha 4C) out. Could one of these be the cause? I would be interested in any information about these options or any other ideas. If you need more information, just let me know.

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