Author: GavinClarinet
Date: 2021-11-02 02:18
I'm hoping someone might be able to shed some light on a frustrating issue I'm having that is currently interfering with my enjoyment of clarinet playing.
Apologies for the length of the post, but I'll try to keep it to only relevant information.
I returned to the clarinet last year during lockdown after a short 30 years break, initially with a B&H Edgware. With some assistance from this board at the time, I was able to find a combination of barrel pull out/mouthpiece that allowed me to play it mostly in tune and be able to just about hold my own (and enjoy) playing in the local concert band when they restarted rehearsals this September.
However, the keywork is showing it's age and although I enjoy the tone, I feel that I am at the point that it is getting in the way of my improvement - particularly with altissimo and fast passages.
Last year I also picked up an Uebel Classic via a certain auction site, at a very good price, from 2010, that had been used for a few years and then left unplayed for some time.
This was with a tech for a while for a checkover/service, but unfortunately health issues meant they were unable to get too far with it - though they did confirm there were no structural problems/cracks, just the need of several pads.
I've managed to since get it repadded by someone within the band who is an experienced amateur and seems to have done a good job, but they do not play the clarinet so were unable to fully regulate or playtest the instrument. (I think 7 pads were changed).
The keywork on the Uebel is vastly better, so I'd like to make this my 'main' clarinet, but I've found the switch to it very difficult.
The increase in 'resistance' of the Uebel is significant, to the point that it makes it hard for me to reliably voice notes that I have no problem with on the Edgware.
Long C in particular (though all clarion are affected) seems to sometimes die off quickly in a way that simply never happens on the Edgware. It doesn't seem to be consistent either, though If I concentrate on producing a very strong stream of air it does seem to voice well.
All the notes play pretty much in tune up the range, which might suggest there is nothing weird going on with the bore in terms of warping?
I have tried different mouthpieces and reed strengths (full details below), and none of them seem to fully solve the issue. the same mouthpiece/reed combinations on the Edgware seems *vastly* easier to voice notes than on the Uebel.
I feel a bit as if I've hit a 'block' that I'd like to overcome to be able to continue enjoying playing, ideally with the Uebel.
Any help or guidance would be welcome, but I think the relevant questions that I have are:
1. Is such a significant resistance change to be expected when going from a (slightly) larger bore B&H to whatever bore the Uebel has (I believe this is not given out, but presume it to be nearer the standard French Bore)?
2. Could this be due to poor regulation/key height issues that are worth the effort to get it seen by an experienced tech? (There are not many locally and I'd prefer not to rely on postal options to the big stores). I am fairly sure that the pads are sealing well - the suction test seems to pass. Would these sort of regulation issues show across the clarinet, or only on particular notes/12ths?
3. Is this just a 'me' problem that will need time and practice to overcome? If so, apart from the obvious long tones, what exercises are likely to help?
4. Is the Uebel likely to be different in terms of resistance to any comparable level instrument? I am open to changing instrument if necessary, but don't really need/want to go to the 'professional' level of instrument for what I am likely to do in the near future. (amateur concert band)
5. Is getting the 'right' mouthpiece for me and the instrument likely to make the difference between being able to play comfortably or not? If so, are there ones that are likely to be worth investigating/play testing at or around the same level as the Vandoren ones? I've settled on Legere European Signature Cut as my preferred reed in the last year, and have found around 2.5 the comfortable zone for me .
Boring Detail:
=========
New Clarinet: Uebel 888 (Classic) - from 2010
Old Clarinet : B&H Edgware from approx 1970
Mouthpieces tried:
B45 (came with the Uebel when new)
B40
5RV
M15
which seems to cover most of the range of tip openings. I can make them all 'work' on the Edgware, though my current favourite is the 5RV with 2.5/2.75 Legere
Apologies for the rather long post, but any guidance welcome...
Gavin
"Clarinets, like lawyers, have cases, mouthpieces, and they need a constant supply of hot air in order to function."
- Victor Borge
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