 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Reedicide
Date: 2016-01-25 03:34
Hi Everyone!
I'll be playing the Mendelssohn Konzertstuck no. 2 in april. I got the instrument I'm using from a friend ahead of time, however I'm having some intonation problems on it. Mostly the notes in the upper register are very sharp, high B and C are the main culprits.
Any of you guys have any tips or tricks to go about this? Any help is much appreciated!
edit: the instrument is a Buffet Prestige, no more than 12 years old. Not sure when it was last serviced, but it plays very beautifully minus the intonation.
Post Edited (2016-01-25 03:54)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-01-25 04:45
What mouthpiece are you using with it?
I had no problem with the Vandoren alto mouthpiece that was supplied with mine (RC Prestige bought new within the last ten years) and have played alongside two other players who also have RC Prestige basset horns. I use the long crook (stamped 'BL') but pull out around 2mm and the tuning is solid. The shorter ('BC') crook is too short for me.
But then I bought a Pomarico crystal alto mouthpiece and only found out that plays really sharp last time I played it alongside another player with the same instrument (and he was using the stock Vandoren mouthpiece), so I have to pull the BL crook out by over 5mm or so to be in tune.
I might have to rethink things - maybe the Pomarico mouthpiece has a narrower bore than the Vandoren. I thought the crystal mouthpiece would have the larger tonechamber and therefore play flatter than the Vandoren.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Reedicide
Date: 2016-01-25 07:18
Attachment: IMG_7099.JPG (200k)
Attachment: IMG_7096.JPG (277k)
Hi Chris,
Thanks for getting back to me! I wasn't aware of the difference between the two crooks. I just checked both crooks and looks like they both say BC on them. I uploaded photos above
I'm using the Vandoren B40 that came with the basset, with strength 3 alto clarinet reeds.
edit: double post.
Post Edited (2016-01-25 07:18)
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Author: Geronimo
Date: 2016-01-25 11:05
Reedicide,
When I use my universities LeBlanc basset horn I have similar issues. I usually pull out (what looks to be a comical account) from the neck and middle tenon. It's a give/take as it lowers the throat tones to bring the corresponding upper notes closer. Another partial fix would be to experiment with possible covers with the right hand. Also, depending on the instrument, playing the upper notes with out the register key will lower them dramatically and maybe info pitch. If your pretty sharp that might work fine.
Additionally, I know that when Larry Combs played basset horn he used jazz cut alto sax reeds. His reasoning was that the Basset horn is more resistant, so jazz reeds freeded things up. (And it seems to have worked great for him). This probably won't help with tuning, but if your playing a lot of basset horn it's worth trying.
-Geronimo
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2016-01-26 00:10
When I checked with Walter Grabner last year what reeds he suggested for his basset horn mouthpieces he said that many players find that alto sax reeds work really well for them.
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2016-01-26 00:51
Walter's adice is usualy golden!
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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