 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gene
Date: 2020-03-11 03:48
I'd be interested in your opinions on different mouthpieces or reviews ,i'm looking to upgrade seriously but not sure what to go with.
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2020-03-12 06:24
I like the Grabner alto mouthpiece.
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2020-03-12 16:54
For stock mouthpieces I liked the Hite the best. The facing on most alto mouthpieces is too short for my taste unfortunately. I did not like the Grabner or the Fobes for this reason. On bass clarinet I use a modified B50, but I can’t find anything like it for alto clarinet. My current mouthpiece is an old unmarked mouthpiece that happens to play really well. As soon as someone makes an alto mouthpiece with a long facing and open tip like the B50 I’m getting it.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Daniel Frazelle
Date: 2020-03-12 20:39
Best mouthpiece I’ve ever played was a Grabner Zinner-based model. I don’t know if they’re still available. I do think that the Hite remains a solid option.
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2020-03-16 14:46
I have a Vandoren B44 that came with my alto (Bundy). Not bad at all.
Later I tried some other Vandorens but I have choosen a modern "Standard" Selmer mpc. I found the Selmer gives more focus and resonance in the throat register. The Vandorens sounded a bit airy to me.
The store told me that Selmer used to make a wide range of alto mpcs (e.g. C*, C**, D, E, F) that were popular with good alto players. But the store can not order these anymore. Unfortunately now only 1 alto mpc is available: this "Standard" mpc is however worth trying it. It is unlabeled but I guess the facing is about the same as the C*. Here is where I bought it:
https://www.vangorp.nl/product/selmer-standard-alt-klarinet
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2020-03-16 19:52
This seems to be the same one and is labeled C*, available from Woodbrass in France
https://www.woodbrass.com/vents/clarinettes/accessoires+clarinettes/becs+clarinettes/becs+clarinette+alto
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Author: SonicManEXE
Date: 2020-03-17 06:52
My university owns a Series 9 alto, and it has a 4C (don't know who thought that was a good idea) and a C**. I also use the C** for contrabass. It's a little more open than the C*, and it does a great job being flexible in tone and especially pitch, considering the instrument I play is not in the best of condition.
Jared
Ft. Lauderdale & Tampa, FL
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Author: r small
Date: 2020-03-17 17:34
I was on the hunt for an alto a while back and had one shipped to me on trial. The horn didn't pan out but the Clark Fobes mpc. that came with it was excellent.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2020-03-17 19:59
I use the Grabner alto (Zinner model) on alto most of the time but have two Hites that both work very well. A good mouthpiece can really affect the sound on alto, delivering it from a wimpy thing to one that has plenty of sound over its whole range.
Eefer guy
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Author: Chris_C ★2017
Date: 2020-03-17 21:17
On my Bundy I use the B44 that came with it when I bought it. I did buy a 5RV and used it for a year or two but have gone back to the B44. I find the reeds are much more critical than the mouthpiece, and am still in the search for the perfect one... I've tried dozens of makes and strengths (including alto sax reeds) and my preference varies all the time. It seems much more difficult to get a mouthpiece/reed combination that works through the whole range of the instrument than is the case for a Bflat for Eflat.
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Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2020-03-19 00:45
Gene - I second Chris C's comment about the difficulty of finding the right mouthpiece/reed combination compared to the Bb soprano clarinet. And you don't say what make of alto clarinet you are playing, which is the third part of the mix. I'm no pro (a returning Bb soprano player who decided to pick up the alto on the side) with an overhauled vintage swan neck Leblanc alto with an especially stuffy lower joint in the mid range. I've been through twelve different vintage, stock and custom mouthpieces (including all of those mentioned above - most of which I did not like) and more types of reeds than I can keep track of. And which one works best seems to keep changing. I've found wide variation in how the different mouthpieces play. I can say that for me the Fobes 10k Zinner model and the Grabner Zinner model (which has been discontinued) have generally worked out far better than anything else. But they are definitely not cheap. I've also found that for me on an alto there is a tremendous difference between how a Rovner Light alto ligature and a traditional metal ligature play, with the metal ligature sounding much more focused and resonant to my ears. My personal preferences in reeds have run to the Fibercell Premium alto sax and bass clarinet reeds - I have yet to find an alto clarinet or Legere reed that I like on my alto (although I play Legeres on my Bb most of the time). Today the Fobes mouthpiece with a strenth 3 Fibercell Premium bass clarinet reed sounds great to me across the entire range - lots of resonance, clears the stuffyness right up and tunes well (another reputed problem with the alto). But who knows what I will find tomorrow. Over my lifetime I have played Bb soprano, contra alto and bass clarinets (now alto), as well as a brief stint on bari sax. And I can firmly state that this alto clarinet is the most fickle instrument I have ever played when it comes to reeds and mouthpieces. Some good suggestions above, but you may still end up experimenting a lot.
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Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2020-03-19 05:41
I was in my local wind shop the other day and noticed Vandoren has come out with a BD5 mouthpiece for alto clarinet (basset horn).
Simon
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Author: Gene
Date: 2020-03-20 01:44
I play a Boosey and Hawkes 1-10 alto it has the double vent on a rocker arm.I get a descent sound but looking for better.I play a Clarke & Fobes from about 10 years ago I bought .using a F.L. lig and Legere signature series alto sax reed 2.5.You can here a sample if you lookup on youtube alto clarinet Oblivion
https://youtu.be/eqhroPARkxM. Not sure what the the tip opening is but hopeing to save up for the 1.6 tipped one.
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Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2020-03-20 05:48
LOL. Hell Gene, if I could sound that good I wouldn't change a thing. Very nice.
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Author: Erez Katz
Date: 2020-06-19 13:02
My alto is an old Leblanc and I tried it with a few mouthpieces, with varying results.
It was usable with the Vito that came with it, though I didn't like the tone. I had poor results with a Vandoren B44 and even worse with an old Selmer C*.
It then occurred to me to ask Eddie Gofman to experiment with the Selmer. He copied the Vito facing and then tweaked it further.
I think it came out rather well:
https://youtu.be/YjCzcPyxG9c
Post Edited (2020-06-20 19:15)
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Author: ruben
Date: 2020-06-19 13:15
Vandoren B40 for alto clarinet; reliable, good and not too expensive. Oriobably half the price of some of the other mouthpieces mentioned on this thread.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: DNBoone
Date: 2020-06-20 20:42
I just found something that was nice quality and sent it to Brad Behn to be refinished.
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Author: EbClarinet
Date: 2020-06-27 03:29
The mouth piece is 1 upgrade, but with alto clarinet u've got consider the neck, reeds and ligature as well. The best sounding alto clarinets are Selmer.
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/mbtldsongministry/
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2020-06-28 13:11
I bought a Pomarico crystal alto mouthpiece to use on basset horn as I use crystals on all other clarinets, but it plays as sharp as anything and I need to use the longest crook pulled out by a lot to bring the pitch down on both basset horn and alto clarinet (both Buffet RC Prestige basset horns and Yamaha alto clarinets have almost exactly the same diameter bore).
The stock Vandoren B40 supplied with the Buffet is right on the money on both.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repair Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2020-09-10 19:30
I know the question has already been asked in this thread but some time has passed now. So, has anyone tried the BD5 mouthpiece on Alto or Basset Horn?
Thanks
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2020-09-11 12:12
JTJC wrote:
> So, has anyone tried the BD5 mouthpiece on Alto or Basset Horn?
>
I did when trying all the Vandoren mpcs. If you like a full dark sound the BD5 is good. But for me this sound concept is not working on Alto: lacking harmonics and projection. May be it could be a good match with a Basset Horn?
From another thread on this forum I've got a tip to use Bass clarinet reeds. They really work and give more power to the Alto sound.
Post Edited (2020-09-11 12:13)
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2020-09-11 15:05
Thanks Jeroen it was for Basset that I’m looking for something. Not having played Alto or being familiar with them I hadn’t though there might be a big difference in application.
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2020-09-11 22:34
Coincidentally I’ve got a few alto mouthpieces on trial at the moment, mainly for a Leblanc basset horn: a Hite, a Grabner (Lawrie Bloom), Fobes San Francisco and a Vandoren BD5. Some short conclusions from a couple of hours of testing today, with the caveat that these comments only reflect my own experiences and preferences - yours might be different!
The Hite is the most free-blowing, and for me needed a reed a half strength harder than the others. I found the tone a little harsh, particularly for the basset horn. The Fobes had a sweet, full tone across the range, but for me was the least accommodating of different reeds - the hardest to find a good pairing. It also played a little sharper than the alternatives, which isn’t ideal given that my basset horn is already pitched a little sharp. The Grabner (designed as a basset horn mouthpiece) was more versatile, and responded well to the large interval jumps in the Mendelssohn. It offered a particularly rich lower register. However, my surprise winner was the more budget friendly BD5, for its overall response, consistency across the range and a lovely warm tone. It seems adaptable to the different demands of Mozart and the greater power needed for some of the symphonic repertoire.
Subject to another session with the BD5 and the Grabner tomorrow, I’m expecting to keep the Vandoren.
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2020-09-12 16:10
Thanks Andrew that’s helpful. I’m currently using the B44 that came with my Buffet RCP Basset. If you know that mouthpiece, how does it compare to the BD5?
I seem from the VD spec the opening of the BD5 is 0.02mm wider than the B44, which seems almost immaterial at these sort of openings (138/140). However, the BD5 lay is ‘Long’ compared to the B44’s ‘Medium Long’, which is 20mm on my one.
Thanks
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2020-09-12 23:53
Unfortunately I don’t have a B44 to make a comparison, but the longer lay on the BD5 should mean it’s a little freer in its response than the B44. That was one of the things I was looking for paired with my basset horn. My sense is that the BD5 has a “rounder” sound than the standard Vandoren alto mouthpieces, but that’s more based on memory, as the only one I currently own from the range is a 5RV, which is a closer, shorter facing - for me better suited to my alto clarinet.
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Author: beejay
Date: 2020-09-22 14:00
Although the B40 mouthpiece that came with my Buffet Crampon basset horn gave a good rich sound, particularly in the low register, I found it too resistant for my taste. After some experimentation with the VD 5RV, I settled on a mouthpiece from Edward Pilliger in London. It is not as "dark" as the B40 or the 5RV but the intonation is excellent across all registers and it is extremely easy to blow, using standard VD 3.0 alto clarinet reeds. I've used this setup for several years, and am still very happy with it. The Pilliger mouthpiece is narrower than the others, and it does accept some, not all, ligatures designed for the Bflat clarinet. I'm using a string ligature made by an Argentine manufacturer called Bambu, which is similar to the VD Klassik and equally as good, but for half the price.
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Author: Hugues Fardao
Date: 2020-12-06 15:11
Vandoren B44 : very easy, clear sound, but loss of low frequency, too clear and medium-friendly for me.
Pomarico : tested it on a Leblanc and a Bundy, I did'nt like the feeling but it's great : very rich sound, powerful.
Selmer C* : I have two of them, the one given with my Selmer alto in the case, and another one second hand on Reverb.com thinking about keeping a back-up mouthpiece in case of "accident". Well... the second one is different, more low fequencies and more punch, the one given with the clarinet is more "open". So the second C* I had became immediatly my main mpc.
For me the Selmer C* is cool, I like the overhall comfort, it matches with my Légère alto sax Studio cut 2,5. Tested it too on a Bundy, it improved the sound a lot compared to the Bundy stock mouthpiece.
>Jeroen wrote :
>The store told me that Selmer used to make a wide range of alto mpcs (e.g. C*, >C**, D, E, F) that were popular with good alto players. But the store can not >order these anymore. Unfortunately now only 1 alto mpc is available
Yes, I saw an old Selmer catalog with HS*, C, C*, C**, HS**/D and E models for alto... now it seems that there's only C* left, since Selmer decide to keep only their Focus and Concept mouthpieces for B.flat, A and Bass clarinets, but did'nt create a new Alto model, they keep C* standard by default for alto, contralto and contrabass. In fact, even when they created the CP line and the C85 line, they had only B.flat/A, E.flat and Bass models. I wish we had a C85 120 for alto, I like it very much on the B.flat.
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Author: graham
Date: 2020-12-06 16:57
I have to pull out quite a bit on my Buffet basset horn as well. Oddly, I find the shorter crook more pulled out better for both tone and tuning than the long one. I use a Pillinger mouthpiece (1.3mm tip opening).
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Author: mambojazz1
Date: 2021-03-30 15:25
Hello. From watching your video playing Oblivion I would say the main problem is your alto clarinet. A larger bore instrument would be more open and compatible to more mouthpieces. But also the open rings are a problem. The left hand 3rd finger should never be an open hole because the hole/vent for the G/D should for tuning and acoustical purposes be on the right side of the alto clarinet not on top. The left hand third finger C/G hole should also be lower on the clarinet but it becomes too far for most hands to stretch so instrument makers compromise. The left hand first finger E/B DEFINITELY should be a plateau key with a small hole in the center for half hole since I noticed you use the normal Bb clarinet fingerings for altissimo. Without that half hole playing alto altissimo is a pain. BUT there is an alto clarinet wizard accessory maker and repairman you should contact!! He is a master at fixing alto clarinet problems. Although I hope you have Instagram or facebook. I havent seen his website. Jared Deleon is his name. Here is an instagram link:
https://instagram.com/wind_instrument_repairs?igshid=1r66omgnpyidv
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Author: davidjsc
Date: 2021-03-30 23:48
I used the stock Selmer mouthpiece that came with my brand-new Selmer alto clarinet I bought in 1999-2000 range. (this was my very first clarinet)
Then, two months ago I bought a Yamaha 4C because the tip was starting to feel slightly worn or maybe chipped, anyways it was uneven. Since I was subsequently using Yamaha 4C for my bass and soprano clarinets, I thought why not use the same for the alto? I found the alto clarinet Yamaha 4C was identical to the original Selmner mouthpiece.
DSC
~~ Alto Clarinet; Bass Clarinet; B-flat and C Boehm Clarinets; Albert C Clarinet; Oboe ~~
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2021-03-31 12:15
There’s also the new Clark Fobes Debut Alto mouthpiece. Has anyone tried it yet and able to compare to the more standard offerings mentioned in preceding posts?
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2021-04-04 15:52
JTJC,
I've ordered 2 of Clark Debut's alto clarinet mpcs, one of his standard 1.50mm opening, another one opened up to a custom opening of 1.65mm(he suggested this over his 1.60 opening on the 10K for a more obvious difference to the 1.50mm one), and they'll arrive later this month. Will let y'all know once I've given both of them a test drive.
Clark told me that he actually likes the new Debut better than the Nova which I was originally considering purchasing, and advised me to go for the former instead.
Josh
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2021-04-19 12:40
An update. I have recently bought a nice wooden Linton "made in France" alto. According a search on this board it is probably a Malerne stencil.
Anyway, on the Bundy alto I preferred the Selmer C* but on the Linton I prefer the Vandoren B44 mouthpiece. I think the B44 sound matches better with the sound of the Linton.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2021-07-26 03:50
i bought another alto mpc to have a spare. its a glotin paris made and was dissapointed with it on the bundy alto. since then i decided to up grade horns and got a great deal on a near mint noblet alto. it came with a noblet mpc with to my suprise is quite good. today i tried the glotin on it and wow! what a differance . the noblet likes it very much . i experimented with ligatures and found the best match on the glotin is a BG tradition for tenor sax witch fits perfect. the vandoreen b44 witch i also expect to be steller as well has to be recorked before i can try it on the noblet. reeds are legere and bari plastic.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2021-12-13 08:53
the b44 has become my main mpc but a hite is on the way . very hard to find now
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Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2021-12-13 21:15
An adendum to my earlier post of 2020-03-19: I have finally settled on a Fobes 10k Zinner model alto mpc, Fibracell Premium 1.5 alto sax reed, and Rovner Light ligature on my Leblanc Model 420 alto clarinet. I was extremely surprised to find that such a soft synthetic reed plays so well. It might be a bit too free-blowing for some, but for me it predictably produces a very clear resonant tone that projects very well and is well in tune. This combination speaks very easily and articulates very well even into the upper register, at least for me. And because the Fibracell is synthetic it has proved perfect for the instance when I had to switch from soprano to the alto in the middle of a concert. Suddenly the responses from fellow musicians has gone from alto clarinet jokes to complements on how I sound on it.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2021-12-14 01:18
Pomarico crystal alto mouthpieces play sharp as anything. No, that's not a pun - they really do.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repair Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-01-18 05:54
recently got a malerne alto and it loves the glotin of paris and suprisingly the yamaha 4c! it hates the vandy b44 and even the hite
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Author: Jim H
Date: 2022-01-18 14:33
I have a Santy Runyon SR Special, #4 alto sax mouthpiece with a clarinet adapter on its tenon that came with an old B&H Edgware. Is it reasonable to use it on a clarinet?
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-01-18 17:58
may we see a picture of this adaptor? never heard of one but runyon was famous for ideas like this
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Author: larryb
Date: 2022-04-14 16:27
Tried the Vandoren BD5 yesterday on my Leblanc Basset Horn and it plays very nicely and comparable to my custom mouthpiece (Bill Street, no idea what the facing is). Smooth and agreeable sound, tone, resistance in all registers. I used Gonzalez 2.75 RC alto sax reeds: one old and one new/previously unplayed.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-04-14 17:33
would like to try a vandy bd5 but seem to have settled on a vintage selmer c* thats fantastic. one important fact to consider is tunning as there isnt much room for adjustments on most alto clarinets. always check with a tunner
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-06-04 04:01
further updates. after a whole season on alto clarinet and many mpcs trials i have setteled on the good old selmer c*. just right in every way on every one of my altos. 5 of them now.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-06-25 02:03
found a hidden gem alto mpc. its sold by UMI. DONT HAVE A CLUE who makes these but its terrific. hard rubber and facing is close as i like on alto. body is fatter than most alto mpcs so i have to use tenorsax ligs which i have in spades. very well made and much better than a yamaha mpc for the same cost. i paid 35$. also it tunes sharper than most which on alto is a very good thing . i can use a soft reed and still hit ba440. i discovered this brand when looking for my first effer mpc and used the one i got for a long time till i broke it. preforms great with legere reeds too which is all i want to use now. facing feels like a 5rv size.
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Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2022-06-27 06:36
As to who made UMI products, you many find the following link informative. Seems it was a brand that grew out of the last years of C.G. Conn and was later acquired by Conn-Selmer. I have recently seen a UMI mouthpiece with the box displayed on that auction site, and the box says both UMI and Conn.
https://www.conn-selmer.com/en-us/our-brands/cg-conn
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2023-09-18 05:26
still using the UMI alto clarinet mpc on the malerne. its a good combo.
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Author: lydian
Date: 2023-09-18 19:19
I forget who, but somebody around here claims that using a tenor sax mouthpiece on alto clarinet is amazing. Personally I'm very skeptical.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2023-09-21 17:47
so am i. he even posted a you tube playing it and its sounded normal but i question its tunning ability. as we know accurate tunning is paramount on alto clarinet as there is no room for error on models where the neck is corked into the body. i usually avoid these modles and play models with a tunning slide on the neck or the bundy style reciever
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Author: Kiela
Date: 2024-03-09 23:02
Hey everyone, long time lurker here, wanted to share my experiences with my alto clarinet set up.
My alto is a Noblet, and my main set up is a Hite with Vandoren ZZ alto sax reeds #3. I can get a clear tone, good intonation, and decent projection with this set up. Lately I've been trying the stock Noblet mouthpiece, it has much better projection and clarity than the Hite but the tone can be too harsh and bright, and intonation is harder to control. I'm using an inverted metal Vandoren ligature that came with my horn, it really improves the response and opens up the sound compared to the stock ligature for either mouthpiece.
When I used to play a Bundy back in high school, I used a Yamaha 4C with a stock ligature. It played much better than the stock Bundy mouthpiece, but it's only decent compared to the Hite.
Out of curiosity I ordered an UMI (United Musical Instruments) mouthpiece on eBay. It plays OK, darker than the Hite but too stuffy. I still need to experiment more with reeds before passing final judgement.
Post Edited (2024-03-09 23:05)
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Author: Kiela
Date: 2024-03-09 23:27
An addendum to my previous post. I'm currently borrowing a LeBlanc basset horn, and since it's functionally an alto clarinet in F, I get to experiment with more set ups.
The stock LeBlanc mouthpiece plays like a better version of the stock Noblet. Still clear, loud, bright, and maybe harsh, but with better response and intonation. My other alto set ups play about the same on the basset.
As for the LeBlanc basset vs. the Noblet alto, there's no comparison, the basset is a professional level instrument while the Noblet was marketed as intermediate iirc. Nevertheless it's still an alto clarinet! The basset plays better but they sound just about the same. A clarinetist might be able to distinguish the two from which notes are over vs. under the break, but the audience wouldn't be able to tell the difference in a live performance.
I have no doubt that an equivalent instrument in Eb (and let's keep the extended range while we're at it) would play just as well. My preference is still for an instrument in Eb, I'm too used to thinking in Bb or Eb for clarinets. Having to think in F was a serious mental exercise!
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Author: Michael E. Shultz
Date: 2024-03-10 14:32
I too would like an Eb alto clarinet with an extended range down to C, along with a double register key and half-hole key. I'd also like it to be large bore with less resistance than ordinary alto clarinets.
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
Groucho Marx
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2024-03-10 23:56
Michael,
I think you would find the new Buffet altos quite good. The adjustable neck joint on their latest versions makes tuning a breeze too. They have a big sound and are very in tune with themselves. Right now I use a Grabner alto moutpiece that has a very big sound. The Hites also work quite well. For reeds I use Steuer alto sax reeds (#3) as they give the alto a nice rich sound.
My previous basset horn was aLeBlanc. It had a wide bore but required a lot of work trying to play in tune. Now I play a Selmer with a very narrow bore and I use a Clark Fobes SanFrancisco Bb mouhpiece on it. It was one that Clark had designed for that particular horn. It is much more fre-blowing than the standard Bb mouthpiece and makes the Selmer less resistant. I use 2 1/2 Steuer or Van Doren reeds with it, although I use 3 1/2 with my Bb clarinet.
Eefer guy
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Author: crazyclari
Date: 2024-03-11 03:42
Hi,
"I know the question has already been asked in this thread but some time has passed now. So, has anyone tried the BD5 mouthpiece on Alto or Basset Horn?"
For me personally if was a round sound, but I found it choked and I could not "blow it out". My tonguing is definitely not a strength and for me that choking sensation crept in again. I tried lots of differing reeds. I would note that this is a personal opinion.
I have a couple to spare in just about new condition if you want:)
As I mentioned, I believe above, I am now using a Pillinger, magnificent. Generally free blowing, in tune, works well on basset and alto. Altos mouthpiece can be a bit "twangy". The Pilinger has a round sound but slightly brighter than the BD5. An excellent compromise for me.
Re pomarico, I would agree with the above comments.
Older Vandorens
The Vandorens B44s that I have were very badly made. I have refaced both of them. One has come up quite well. The tables and rail on both were everywhere.
Their quality control has definitely improved.
Older Selmers
Often made worse than the previously described Vandorens.
Yamahas
I have used the 7c on bass for a while. On alto maybe a 4c or 5c .
Leblanc
better than some as described previously
A bit of self-promotion,
my version of oblivion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUxoY-lB-hA
Post Edited (2024-03-11 04:09)
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2024-03-11 14:43
I was using the BD5 with various Légère reeds on my Selmer alto (made around 2000's) but began experimenting again when the Légère French Cut tenor and alto sax reeds became available because I had been having problems getting smooth and full sounding transition into the altissimo on the alto and I had already found I liked the French cut a lot for my RC Prestige/Woodwinds Larry Coombs custom mp. And I have a real problem with that C5 on the alto, just the left thumb and register key - horrible and unreliable ! I have several mps to choose from, including a Hite, Yamaha C, B40, Bundy, Forbes Debut and a no-name wooden and tried Légère cuts and strength for tenor and alto sax and slimmed down bass.
After a lots of trials I settled on a recent (unmarked) Selmer mp and a tenor sax French Cut Légère 2.25 and am getting much better results in that problem range, without loss elsewhere, and now have a better feeling as to where I need to work on emboucheure instead of fiddling with reeds and mps. I got a 2.5 on exchange for the alto sax reed after the 2.75 proved too fuzzy and kept it for use with the Hite on my ebonite Linton alto (snow days only !). I love my Selmer <3 !
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2024-03-11 18:33
i gotta ask what snow days only use is? is this like practice at home only use?
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2024-03-12 00:26
Ha ha ! Try playing a wooden alto with a cane reed in a snow flurry ! I keep the Linton for bad weather and extreme temperatures. Some of our spring concerts are outside.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2024-03-12 01:18
ok get it. i have a horrible malerne made of hard rubber for harsh weather gigs here in florida.
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Author: Kiela
Date: 2024-07-28 05:41
Hi all, just wanted to chime in with a new mouthpiece update. Yamaha advertises a 7C jazz mouthpiece with a large tip opening (1.70 mm / 0.067 in), but they are only sold outside of the US. After months of searching, I stumbled upon an online European store selling one, and despite the shipping costs being more than the actual price of the mouthpiece, I decided to get one myself. My reference point will be the J&D Hite with Vandoren ZZ #3 alto saxophone reeds and an inverted Vandoren ligature.
The Yamaha 7C all but eliminated the stuffiness issues and made it more free blowing. I can push it much louder now, even louder than my setups on soprano or bass clarinet. The timbre compared to the Hite setup is a little brighter and harsher but not by much. Intonation is a bit wilder but still manageable. As expected I need to lower my reed strength, I have to push a lot more air than the Hite.
This can very well function in a classical setting, and probably in its intended jazz role as well. To think that all it took to fix the common alto clarinet issues was a larger tip opening...
Post Edited (2024-07-28 05:42)
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2024-07-31 02:55
highly doubtful the 7c exists for alto clarinet nor is a big tip needed nor desired for playing alto clarinet in almost all cases
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Author: Kiela
Date: 2024-07-31 07:43
The 7C is not shown on Yamaha's US website but you can find it on the European one:
https://europe.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/winds/mouthpieces/clarinets/custom_standard.html
I actually heard about it from another alto clarinet mouthpiece thread:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=504925&t=504925
Per the big tip opening, if there's anything to be learned from the various testimonials here, it's that everyone has their own solution to the alto setup question. It's just one possible avenue to take, albeit a more difficult one than swapping the reed or ligature. My positive experience with the Vandoren B50 on bass clarinet got me thinking about whether a larger tip opening could work on alto as well. YMMV, of course.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2024-08-01 02:26
alto and bass play nothing like each other. alto much closer to reg clarinet
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Author: crazyclari
Date: 2024-08-06 16:21
I tried the 7c, 6c, 5c as well. Not my thing. With ya on the malerne. I had an evette schachfer that wa a rebadged malerne. I did a stack of tuning and voicing, moved it on
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