 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: b-smith
Date: 2012-03-10 18:23
Hi,
I've been playing alto clarinet for a few months now and I'm not going to lie it's been a struggle. I've been using my school's Selmer Bundy model with a Bundy mouthpiece which I can only assume is a cheap student model. But apart from doubts in the quality of the instrument I was just wondering what would be the best mouthpiece, reed and ligature combination. I don't want to go out and buy too much before doing some research, so I was just hoping someone could give me some helpful advice.
Thanks
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-03-10 18:43
The stock mouthpiece supplied with my Buffet basset horn is a Vandoren B40 alto mouthpiece which is a pretty decent one.
There are others - Fobes, Grabner, Selmer, etc. so see what the best one is for you and your budget.
As far as reeds go, alto sax reeds are readily available and work perfectly with alto clarinet mouthpieces (as do tenor sax reeds on bass clarinet) so no need to source what limited variety of alto clarinet reeds are available - there's an infinite choice of alto sax reeds on the market in comparison.
Ligatures - any Rovner ligature that fits an alto clarinet mouthpiece will be ideal.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: alto gether
Date: 2012-03-10 18:51
There are mouthpieces that will work better for you, and possibly you need a softer, or (unlikely) harder reed. The absolute most-productive place to spend that kind of money is to find the leaks and get them fixed. Then get at least one private lesson from somebody who knows how to spot what you need to change. The people on this bboard who obsess over mouthpieces and ligatures are trying to improve their sound from the place of being sure they have a working horn and a workable technique.
Unless I jumped to conclusions here. If it is the case that your school program includes one-on-one lessons, and the school alto is actually in good mechanical shape, ignore this post. I use a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, but if I'd been able to find one to start with I'd likely use a Fobes. My combination of horn (old Holton), mouthpiece, and technique (sloppy) works with Plasticover #2 alto sax reeds, which are probably an abomination unto almost everybody.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-03-10 19:15
I also have a Bundy Alto and a Bundy Mouthpiece...
The mouthpiece is a good vintage hard rubber "Signature" Bundy which I had refaced by David Spiegelthal, and it absolutely sings.
(contrary to popular belief, the Bundy "Signature" pieces are actually quite fine mouthpieces. Not sure about the more recent plasticky ones, though)
I agree with other posters - first make sure the instrument behaves well mechanically, leaks and poorly regulated mechanics are a nightmare. Have an experienced player a go with your instrument and listen to their verdict.
Ligatures are overrated. As long as it holds the reed in place, use what's available. Else the Rovner is a safe bet.
--
Ben
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2012-03-11 15:37
The best cheaper alto mouthpiece is the Hite. It has a very nice sound and is second only to the Lomax in my opinion.
I use alto sax VanDoren Java reds on my alto. The VanDoren Optimum ligature works best for me, the Rovner a second. I use a 3-3 1/2 but i've played for a while. You might want something a little sifter if you're new at this.
The alto sort of needs to be coaxed rather than blown hard.
Enjoy it. it can have a lovely sound!
Eefer guy
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Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2012-03-11 15:58
Of the Vandoren alto cl/basset horn mpcs, I like very much the 5RV (which I believe is now shipped with the new Buffet basset horns, at least as we receive them in Canada).
The smaller tip opening (126 versus 138 for the B40 and B44) and a tip rail thinner than the B40 make the 5RV somewhat more playable with regards to reliability of soft attacks. If you are not sure how your basset horn is sealing or how much your reed is warping, the increased reed-friendliness of the 5RV makes the Gran Partitta less stressful.
Speaking of warping reeds, a Legere alto sax reed (sides shaved to fit the mpc window width if necessary) with a 5RV makes a very reliable set-up to come back to every few years when you play basset horn.
Simon
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2012-04-15 06:21
I played alto in school for 5 years. Tiny leaks and sometimes adjustment problems can plague school instruments. As noted above, you can't cure those problems with a mouthpiece.
I just started using a Grabner and like it better than the Hite I had been using. The Hite was much superior to the no-name vintage student mouthpieces I have.
No question, I am doing better with alto sax reeds than anything that says alto clarinet on the box.
Ligature? Try a shoe lace. If you like the sound, then 'invest' in some velcro. I have never been convinced that any of the commercial ligatures work better, even for contra alto or a metal tenor sax mpc.
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Author: Randall
Date: 2012-04-15 14:33
I play an older Bundy alto with a Portnoy mp, and also use alto sax reeds because of the wide selection.
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