 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2012-09-06 12:53
OK....I admit it. You can all start chuckling behind my back. I am in a clarinet choir in or band, and there is a piece that REQUIRES an alto clarinet. I volunteered, and my director presented me with a just-refurbished Vito alto last night at the end of rehearsal. It seems to be in decent condition, and came with a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, which has a decent reputation for student mouthpieces.
If this thing turns out to be workable, what reeds would anyone recommend for this setup? As there is not a huge choice in good reeds for alto clarinets locally, would sax reeds be a useable alternative, or do I need to go the mail order route?
Also, what would be a better mouthpiece, if it turns out I actually stary playing this seriously when needed in our group?
Thanks!
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2012-09-06 15:38
You're doomed! ;-) People who actually play the alto instead of just snickering about it tend to get hooked. Yes, alto playing is a dreadful addiction and quite incurable ....
I'm an amateur, but fwiw, I prefer alto sax reeds on my Selmer pro-quality alto (1979).
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-09-06 18:03
Alto sax reeds work perfectly with alto clarinets - and you have far more choice there too!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: alto gether
Date: 2012-09-06 18:11
My Holton alto with Yamaha 4C mouthpiece works best with Rico Plasticover reeds. Weird, because Legeres work perfectly well on my Bb(student Buffet) and contra alto(Bundy).
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2012-09-07 01:09
I love playing alto. A couple pieces last semester required alto clarinet so I got volunteered to play it. I got to play on a really nice Yamaha 631. I'd suggest the Hite alto clarinet mouthpiece. It was a big upgrade from the 4C and is a real gem of a mouthpiece, and not that expensive either. Sax reeds work great. I'm going to try to find a box of Vandoren Java's to try next.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2012-09-07 05:18
I played some alto clarinet in college in the Wind Ensemble (before moving to bass when the bass clarinetist graduated), I played on a Hite mouthpiece and it worked well for me. So, another vote for the Hite. Don't remember what I used for reeds, though.
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Rachel
Clarinet Stash:
Bb/A: Buffet R13
Eb: Bundy
Bass: Royal Global Max
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-09-07 07:16
You may want to ask David Spiegelthal if he has something for you.
I had a Bundy 'piece refaced, and it absolutely screams.
--
Ben
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2012-09-07 11:25
I have found myself in a similar situation....that is, playing alto when needed in clarinet choir. Which has now also led to me playing alto in wind ensemble when needed...wow, the horn can really suck you in! Happily though, I've enjoyed the experience and hope you are as well.
To your original question on mouthpiece, I've been using a Fobes Nova which has been really good in terms of tone and intonation. I've finally settled on alto sax reeds a bit softer than I generally play on Bb soprano. Also, I've been experimenting with Fibracell reeds which also seem to have some benefits in playing alto.
Be careful....I started playing borrowed horns like you, and ended up buying one myself and having it refurbished. I think that means I'm officially hooked....
Have fun. And don't worry about what the other clarinet players are saying...just play and enjoy....
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-09-07 15:15
Lately I've been playing alto clarinet in a clarinet choir, and I find it enjoyable, but I much prefer playing bass clarinet. I still don't quite have the tessitura of the alto in my head the way I do with the other clarinet sizes, so with the alto I don't really 'hear' the notes in my head before playing them -- thus I'm never 100% confident about what's going to come out the other end when I blow.
I'm also not quite sure what the thing is supposed to sound like (speaking of tone quality). Should it sound like a higher-pitched bass clarinet, or a 'mid-rangey' soprano clarinet, or ??? Not too many historical role models or recordings to emulate....
As with any other clarinet, having a good mouthpiece is crucial, and as noted alto sax reeds work just fine with a decent alto clarinet mouthpiece.
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