Author: davidjsc
Date: 2022-12-09 20:56
Softer reed may help. I find I cannot use the same reed strength for all four clarinet sizes I have (C, B-flat, alto, and bass). Whereas I generally use 2.5 for a sorprano instrument, my alto works best with a 1.5 or maybe 2, depending on how much time I need to stay in the clarion register, while my bass works best with a 2. I'd never use anything stronger than 2 on an alto or bass if you are spending most of your time in the chalumeau range.
Using too hard a reeds seems to be a hold-over habit from players dropping down from their primary soprano to their secondary alto-bass. But many of those, like myself, who started out playing clarinet not on a soprano instrument, often opt for softer over harder.
Arthur Nix, the alto-bass-contrabass instructor from the 1970s-1980s recommended softer over harder reeds - he said the instruments lose some of their harmonics unique to them, if too hard a reed is used (he recommended 1.5 or 2). I learnt on an alto around 25~ years ago and never picked up a B-flat or C instrument until 2 maybe 3 years ago and immediately found it difficult due to the reed difference and what works for one, does not really work for all. I'm only now able to get a decent clear tone from a 2.5 reed on a soprano. And I literally still cannot get a sound with a 3.
DSC
~~ Alto Clarinet; Bass Clarinet; B-flat and C Boehm Clarinets; Albert C Clarinet; Oboe ~~
Post Edited (2022-12-09 21:05)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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