 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kontra
Date: 2011-07-23 21:51
Well, I am now the owner of an Eefer. Nothing too special, just a Bundy. But I bought it in full working order for $95. Are there any good songs to play on to get me started? How different is the embouchure? (coming from a clarinetist/bass clarinetist)
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Author: Justin Willsey ★2017
Date: 2011-07-23 22:27
If you might wind up playing it in ensembles, I'd keep in mind the advice Peter Hadcock gives in his books: playing Rose etudes and the like really doesn't prepare you for most orchestral Eb playing, since so much of the latter is high and loud (likewise for band, I'd say). His book of Eb excerpts is worth checking out; it also has good fingering suggestions to help with intonation.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2011-07-24 00:50
I wouldn't bother with excerpts, but that's my recommendation across the board, regardless of instrument. Etudes are generally agreeable. Anything you'd play on other instruments, try on Eb. I tend to gravitate toward the Bach cello suites.
As for general Eb recommendations, a stable airstream and an attitude of fearlessness are key. Hesitation and uncertainty will cause that beast to fight back in the most unpleasant way.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Kontra
Date: 2011-07-24 19:48
Thanks guys, I'll try out the book by Peter Hadcock. I have another question though, would it be a bad idea to use Bb reeds on my Eb clarinet? I've heard of people doing so after they cut the reed. But is it better to do that or just to buy Eb reeds?
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Author: Justin Willsey ★2017
Date: 2011-07-24 19:51
It's certainly worth a try. It works great on some mouthpieces; on others, Eb reeds will be better. It's an issue of matching the curvature of the reed's tip with that of the mouthpiece's tip rail.
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Author: MartyMagnini
Date: 2011-07-24 19:56
Backun and a few others actually make an Eb barrel with a cut out so you can use Bb reeds on your Eb without cutting them. I prefer Bb reeds, but that's just me, YMMV.
I also recommend the Hadcock book, along with etudes, Baermann, etc. - you just have to get comfortable on the instrument.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-07-24 19:57
Whilst the advice ref orchestral excepts being loud and furious may be largely true it is absolutely the opposite in band work (where you are much more likely to find yourself playing). In the band it is absolutely vital that the Eb blends with and complements the Bb clarinets and the flutes.
It is in extending the range of the Bb solo clarinets up in the altissimo region or in supporting the flutes that most of the work is called for and no-one wants to hear a shrill screaming tone in that situation.
As for reeds yes many players do use cut down Bb reeds, you just have to try all the options and find what works best for you.
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Author: davyd
Date: 2011-07-25 00:53
A lot of contemporary concert band material, at least at the intermediate level, doesn't have parts for eefer, so assuming you're playing in concert bands, you'll either have to keep bringing your Bb or work out something for yourself. Transposing a 1st clarinet part (or an oboe part, if the band doesn't have an oboe) should work.
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Author: mrn
Date: 2011-07-27 17:17
Quote:
Well, I am now the owner of an Eefer. Nothing too special, just a Bundy.
Actually, if you have a really old Bundy eefer, consider yourself lucky--they're good instruments. In fact, as I learned on this board, even some professionals use them.
The main difficulties with eefers, from my perspective, are getting used to their strange tuning characteristics and smaller keywork (it's easy to bump keys accidentally--some people actually remove some of the keys and plug the corresponding holes to prevent finger accidents; being the kind of person who can't even bring himself to make pencil marks in books I naturally avoid that sort of thing, but if you're less prone to that kind of obsessive-compulsive behavior, you might find that helps you. :-) )
In my experience (which I will concede is quite limited), eefers tend to play very noticeably sharp in the low register. Since they are primarily used for playing up high, my assumption is that they are designed for optimal tuning characteristics in the clarion and altissimo registers and the designers kind of let the chalumeau register go to pot tuning-wise. :-)
One common reed setup I've seen (and tried myself with some degree of success) is to use German-style Bb reeds (like Vandoren White Master) on an eefer mouthpiece. They are narrower than the usual French Bb reeds most of us play on. You might have to saw off a bit of the heel of the reed to make it fit (or, on a plastic Bundy clarinet, you can cheat and pull the metal ring off the top of the tuning barrel and make it fit that way).
The most important thing, as far as equipment goes--as with all clarinets--is to make sure you have a good mouthpiece that works well for you.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2011-07-27 18:39
Otherwise known as "Draznik's Complainte." 
Best regards,
jnk
For solo (w/piano)works, you might check out Jaren Hinckley's "Two Estate Gardens" and/or Easley Blackwood's "Sonatina." Aside from an occasional stray D or E, both stay out of the altissimo, are fun to play and hear, but still provide a good workout
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Author: djphay
Date: 2011-07-27 23:59
Hi Kontra. I'm an amateur who started playing on eefer this year and am really enjoying it. My playing is almost exclusively in wind bands. I don't know what level you play at, but from my perspective, the Hadcock book is very useful, even if some of the excerpts are a bit scary - there are good 'beginner excerpts' in the book too, like Symphonie Fantastique and Bolero. Slow Bb pieces are also useful because there will be notes that you'll need to work out how to correct (say for example venting some throat notes or the like). Keep a tuner to hand to see how your instrument behaves in the different registers.
Embouchure-wise I find a relaxed fearlessness, with plenty of diaphram support, gives me the best results, whether that is blending with the rest of the section or having a good old screech. This is more easily said than done, at times! If you play in wind bands you'll find you often share a line with the picollo so be sure to listen to it and get used to the fact that your sound will sit above the rest of the clarinet ensemble. Try lots of different mouthpieces to find one that works best with your instrument, the difference in models is quite remarkable. I recently got a Lomax NC which happily has a similar feel to my Bflat mouthpiece. I'm looking forward to putting that through its paces next season. As it happens it seems to favour Eb reeds.
That probably just repeats a lot of what has already been said by those more qualified than I, but I thought you might be interested in my perspective.
David
Rank amateur
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Author: willpow
Date: 2011-07-29 16:38
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, A Witches' Sabbath
Will
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2011-07-30 20:12
I recently started a friend on Eefer so I have been going through these same sort of questions in both equipment and pieces that are appropriate to learn Eefer after playing Bb.
I do recommend the Hadcock book not only for its selection of great Eefer extracts but also the great alternatrive fingering charts. That chart has been a lifesaver for me. The pieces in that book also give you a feeling of what sort of sound the Eefer should have in its variest moods. Til of course is the scamp, a role that the Eefer often plays. There is also a more extensive series prepared by Jacques Merrer that is available through Van Cott. These have a a few different excerpts and a few more extensive ones than the Hadcock. If you are playing Eefer chiefly in a band practice some marches. The Eefer parts in them rock. You are up there playing with the pics and flutes. The set of 6 D clarinert concertos by Molter are excellent for practicing intonation in the upper octave. My favorite concerto for Eefer is Ballabile con Variazoni by Panizza. Really pretty piece and shows off the Eefer very well. I've used it for an audition.
Besides a decent mouthpiece I really like the Fobes Eefer extension although I'm not sure if that works on the Bundy. It really helps the internal intonations. the 12ths are much better with it and it seems to improve the sound of the horn as well. I started on one of those older Bundys in 1964. It was a good plastic horn although I'm not giving up my Prestige!
Don't be afraid. every time yuo take out the Eefer you will be heard. Sort of like playing piccolo.
Eefer guy
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Author: BobD
Date: 2011-07-31 15:45
Disparaging the "eefer" is a popular pastime. No offense intended.
Bob Draznik
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