 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Cat
Date: 2007-04-16 22:42
Howdy All!
It's been about a bazillion years since I participated with this forum. Heck, I remember being on the listserv back in the days of Telnet.
So, here's 2 things:
1 - a story of love lost and recaptured.
2 - a genuine question about where to do next.
The Story:
Was a music ed major in college, burned out bitterly on clarinet and switched majors to journalism.
After college, had an exhausting reporter's job and didn't touch my horn, save for occasional noodling and twice-a-year college alumni concerts. For 4 years, clarinet was not a significant activity in my life.
A few years ago, a woman I knew through work finally (after years of patient badgering) convinced me to join her in a little rural community band, as it "desperately" needed people.
Sure, it required a 30-mile commute, but it was a good experience in positive reinforcement with a band/director that was genuinely happy to have me. After a year, I decided to take a shot at auditioning for the "big time" concert band in the city where I live.
Despite a well-prepared audition, I shook like a leaf and made a handful of flustered mistakes. But the conductor (genuinely wonderful Dir. of Bands at a prestigious area college) recognized my background creds, took mercy, and placed me in the second clarinets.
I've now spent two wonderful years in this ensemble, playing some really fantastic stuff and I feel like I'm a much better sight-reader than I was as a college student. I also find I listen to the ensemble around me much, much more carefully, and have actually (for the first time!) experienced that awe-filled feeling of "wow, this IS beautiful" while playing IN the ensemble, rather than just listening as an audience member.
I'm guessing that sight-reading fearlessness, and the ability to be truly impacted by the sound around me must be functions of 1: a little more maturity (30 vs 19) and 2: playing for fun, vs: fearing mistakes because they translate into lower seating assignments and loss of status in the eyes of peers/professors.
Soooo... now that I shared my love story. Here's the question:
I haven't changed my setup since college:
R-13 (circa 1983)
Robert Scott Barrel
Robert Scott Mouthpiece
V-12 3.5 or 4
Various Ligatures, depending on reed: Rovner ED (usual), Robert Scott Brass, Bay (really delicate-looking silver thing)
A 3.5 with the Rovner ED is my usual set-up, but occasionally, if I have a 4 or a really resistant reed, I'll go to the Bay.
My question is this: I'm finding some of the more talented players in the section have a little more clarity to their tone, and a better edge to their articulations.
Any suggestions for some reed/mpc/liggy combos I should try? I like the smoothness or darkness of the tone overall, and soft attacks are nice, but really crisp "pops" and bright sound on some staccato passages are lacking.
Advice, ideas WELCOME!
I take great pleasure in torturing reeds once they're reached the end of their useful life.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2007-04-16 22:55
For a nice clear setup, I would suggest try a Greg Smith mouthpiece, and a Bonade ligature.
And welcome back!
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Author: pewd
Date: 2007-04-17 04:34
whens the last time you horn went to the shop?
when was the last time it was completely repadded?
i'd have it checked out by a good tech before i messed with mouthpieces, ligatures, reeds, etc.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Cat
Date: 2007-04-17 04:43
interesting question, paul... never thought of that.
the horn hasn't been completely re-padded in probably 9 years.
at that time, I had it totally re-padded and had the upper joint done in corks, as I was told it would hold up better that way.
in the last few years, the horn's been only in the shop once, to replace 2 pads that weren't sealing well. otherwise, I've inspected it, and haven't noticed anything wrong, mechanically.
____________________________________________________________
I take great pleasure in torturing reeds once they're reached the end of their useful life.
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2007-04-17 13:08
This is simply something cheap to try.
I used to use an ED ligature, but was experiencing the same symptoms that you describe.
Over the years I had tried quite a few ligatures, many of them high dollar.
Then I tried the lowly Luyben. Walla! More pop, more ring, crisper articulation.
If you haven't tried one, it's worth a shot.
Your mileage may vary.
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