 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-07-21 14:40
I have recently purchased a new Buffet R13 from Walter Grabner (he sent two and I picked the one with the bigger sound). What amazed me was how easy this horn was to play compared to the EEfer, bass, Basset horn and alto that I normally play. Is this what you others who normally play Bb feel about the "others" too? Or has Walter really sent me a horn of the century?
A lot of times people in the clarinet section will lkook around as I play Eefer and say "I'm glad you can play that thing." Maybe I know why they say that now!
On the Bb, the only part that I feel isn't as good is the high notes. They seem to be clearer (and maybe easier) on Eefer. Occasioinally, I make the high E play like the A higher on trhe Bb as that note sounds too low to me on the Bb and the fingerings foir A and E are the same.
Anyway, I'd appreciate opinions from those that are primarily Bb players tersting the other waters or the "auxilary" players like myself that mainly play the others.
EEfer guy
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Author: ClariTone
Date: 2006-07-22 17:42
I would say it just seems easier because of your prior experience with the "other" clarinets. Whenever I get suckered into playing eefer or bass, it isn't that difficult because I can easily transfer my fundamental technique from Bb to the others (with some obvious slight modifications of course in terms of embouchure formation and airstream).
I believe it is hard to gauge which instrument (or set of instruments) are easier to play because each individual instrument presents its own unique set of challenges.
Happy Tootin'!!!
Clayton
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2006-07-22 18:26
Yes...
But then I have a very cheap bass and a quite nice Bb.
There are a number of issues here. The Bb is the more mature instrument design - basses haven't been around as long, fewer are made, and I think it's fair to say they have more outstanding Issues than the soprano instrument. But then, I'd say that (on the whole, please feel free to disagree in specific instances!) parts written for Bb demand more of the instrument than those written for bass. So I guess on the whole it balances out. An expert bass player will have the same difficulties as an expert Eb player. Which is only to be expected, I suppose.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-07-24 17:28
Thanks for your comments. After playing the new Bb all weekend, I think "different" (rather than easier) might be the word I'd use. Each one seems to have its strengths and weaknesses. The Bb seems to blow easier and more smoothly through the mid-range of the instrument, whereas the Eefer feels best in anything above the staff, the bass anything from A down to low C. Guess iof you look at where these instruments play most of their parts in the symphony, it falls in these same three categories too, although I do like hearing Bolero played on a good Eefer.
Also agreed that the mechanism on the bass is much more convoluted and easy to get out of whack than the other two. That wretched octave key mechanism on my low C Selmer is a nightmare.
Previously my Bb playing has consisted more of picking up the odd job in the pit orchestra, whereas I normally play Eefer or bass in public plus oboe/ English horn. With this horn I hope to do more Bb.
Eefer guy
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Author: beejay
Date: 2006-07-24 22:01
Er, doesn't this depend on the mouthpiece you are using? With Edward Pillinger mouthpiece, my basset horn is much easier to blow across all ranges than my b-flat clarinet. With supplied VD B40, it's like blowing through an oil refinery.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-07-24 22:09
Having played more bass clarinet than the other sizes for 30+ years, I still find it easier than soprano clarinet (regardless of any consideration of brands/models thereof). But for me 'ease of blowing' is neither a problem nor a consideration -- in my case 'ease and security of fingering' are the challenges I have to deal with.
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