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chalumeau jump on contra

Author: vollkommen
Date: 2006-09-07 19:51

I'm auditioning on contrabass clarinet for my school's wind ensemble, which basically just means that if I can play the music I'm in since I'm the only one who can play it. Since the contra isn't a typical instrument (in high schools in SoCal) there isn't any differentiation between the bass and contra audition music, which is from the Hite artistic studies for clarinet. The problem I'm having is in playing a D Major arpeggio (8-5-3-5-1, in sixteenths). When I play the last two notes (A4 to D3) the D sounds overblown and doesn't settle on the right overtone for half a second or so. I've tried altering my playing (more air, then less air, more focus, etc.) but there isn't any difference. I'm wondering if there is something mechanical that's causing the problem or if it's simply my playing. The contra is the straight plastic one made by Leblanc (I prefer to call it a Leblanc rather than Vito...) and is only a few years old and hasn't seen much use. Then again, it's never been fully serviced since I bought it besides the original adjustments I did when I received it (it was horrendous then) so perhaps it could stand a visit to a repair shop. Any insight would be appreciated.

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Re: chalumeau jump on contra

Author: Merlin
Date: 2006-09-08 02:57

Leblanc/Vito/Holton plastic contras have a double register vent mechanism. When you play fourth line D, the larger hole (further down the bore) should be open. When you change from D to E, the register mechanism should close that hole and open the smaller one.

You may have a problem on the instrument with the register vents both being open at the same time.

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Re: chalumeau jump on contra

Author: vollkommen
Date: 2006-09-08 03:53

Thanks for the info about the double register key. In one of the studies there's a trill between E and D which produces quite a lot of clacking, and now I know why.

Also, I think I found the problem. At least I know that there is a problem. On the second register vent (I'm actually not sure if it's the first or second - it's the one located on the right side of the horn at the top of the body, not the one on the metal neck extension) the adjusting screw at the top of the post is broken. And I mean broken...since half of it is missing. I have no idea why or how that is is the way it is, but there isn't anything to do about it right now. Something for the future.

I did find a way to fix my playing problem. By holding down a few right hand keys, the D comes out in the right register, even if it is a bit flat. A temporary solution, but a solution nontheless. Thanks for your info.

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