|
Post by altoclarinets on Feb 12, 2009 18:24:35 GMT -5
Right hand down, right hand down, right hand down, get your throat pads checked. With a little practice, you will get to where you can put your right hand down on all throat tones no matter how quickly the piece moves. Helps with quick shifts between registers too. Long tones on these notes and the "normal notes" close to them (long B and C, thumb f and thumb- one E) with focus on homogenity of tone also helps. When in doubt... practice.
|
|
|
Post by Lprdgecko on Feb 12, 2009 18:47:55 GMT -5
Thanks. I'll try that. I was told an alternate fingering for Bb today, which is hold down the A key and press the second side key on the right (the bottom of the two that kinda stick out). It's making it easier to play louder and it's more in-tune for me, but when the piece jumps up to a C and back down, etc. it gets a little difficult to make that transition... It's a slow piece, so I'll probably get it eventually. I'll just need to practice it more.
|
|
|
Post by ~*Not~a~Stalker~* on Feb 13, 2009 22:04:16 GMT -5
Someone please for the love of God tell me why middle B, C, and D are so hard on alto clarinet! You need to get the corks on the right side carrier bar looked at. There are two little trip levers there that hold down the little key between thumb one E and thumb 1-2 D when you are playing those notes, and if they are messed up/ nonexistent, the key will not seal completely. And it will sound like crap, or not come out at all. I'm telling you, exploding is an alto clarinet's hobby. Mine dropped 2 pads on me - 2!!!!- last weekend. You are my savior.
|
|
|
Post by altoclarinets on Feb 14, 2009 14:48:56 GMT -5
You're welcome. The alternate fingering listed there is also a good idea, but yes, it is hard to jump from Bb to C using that fingering.
|
|
|
Post by Lprdgecko on Mar 7, 2009 22:23:44 GMT -5
So my parents are thinking about getting me a wooden clarinet for a (VERY) early birthday present. I know this has been discussed before, but what are good brands to get that don't cost a ton of money?
|
|
|
Post by uscsummermusiclvr on Mar 8, 2009 0:08:28 GMT -5
I know I got my Buffet for like 500 dollars? It's an e12 or e13. It's really good, and it was "cheap." (:
|
|
|
Post by Lprdgecko on Mar 8, 2009 11:55:08 GMT -5
$500 sounds reasonable. Was it brand new or did you buy it used?
Also, what is the correct way to pronounce "Buffet"? Is it "Buf-FAY" (like all-you-can-eat) or "Buf-fet" (With a "T" sound)? I'm assuming it's the first one, but I don't want to sound stupid if it's the 2nd one lol.
|
|
|
Post by altoclarinets on Mar 10, 2009 20:33:03 GMT -5
Buuuuh faye. Said with a gayyy sounding french accent. Buffet E11s are available in fine shape and endless number for < 600 across the country and Internet. It is conceivable to find an r13 for the same but not likely. However, an e11s fine unless you intend to do a concert or chamber ensemble in college.
|
|
|
Post by Lprdgecko on Mar 10, 2009 20:45:54 GMT -5
I don't plan on majoring in music in college, but I do plan on doing concert band in college, and marching (but I'd use my plastic for marching of course). I asked our clarinet instructor / student teacher the other day and he said that E11s were pretty good and that R13s were more "professional". My SL has an R13 and it's so amazing, but she's freaking rich, so yeah lol. I'll probably end up getting an E11, but we have to look around some more.
|
|
|
Post by altoclarinets on Mar 15, 2009 19:58:22 GMT -5
R13's are kind of the standard for college kids. If it's a bit much, try a Limite, a Conservatoire or a GreenLine horn. The r13, however, is like the E11 in that they are about as numerous as mosquitoes on the secondhand market. My orch teacher actually found hers for $300 (and this was before the Internet.) I personally had a dealer suggested to me by my teacher- Muncy Winds in North Carolina- but you may choose to go the secondary market route.
|
|
|
Post by Lprdgecko on Mar 30, 2009 16:06:30 GMT -5
We ended up buying a used E11 from a person selling it on CraigsList. The clarinet was brand new when that person bought it, but his daughter decided to quit playing, and it was only a year old. So, yeah, it's still in really good condition, and it's so much easier to play than my old plastic one. I'm keeping the plastic one for marching band, of course, though.
|
|
|
Post by altoclarinets on Mar 31, 2009 20:51:43 GMT -5
Good idea. Haha. The one thing about the E11 I don't like is that its keywork is completely off balance compared to an r13, so if you ever get one, there will be an adjustment curve. Other than that, it's a great horn!!! Have fun!
|
|
|
Post by Lprdgecko on Mar 31, 2009 21:18:14 GMT -5
^Yeah, my SL has an R13 and she was looking at my E11 and she was like, "WOW these keys are different than mine" Lol.
I like it though when I play F (top line in staff), D in staff, you know, those notes in that area, they sounded awful on my plastic, but they sound so much better on the E11.
|
|
|
Post by altoclarinets on Mar 31, 2009 21:23:47 GMT -5
Yes and your throat tones are better too no? Nothing like an upgrade.
|
|
|
Post by Lprdgecko on Apr 1, 2009 15:36:49 GMT -5
Yeah, throat tones are also much better. Yay for quality!
|
|