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Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 21:59:03 -0500
From: Chris Rubenacker
Subject: [CB] (no subject)All this talk about contrabass clarinets made me want to ask some things
of my own. I currently play a model 340 Leblanc (paperclip) contrabass
clarinet with a range down to low C in my high school band. I stumbled
upon it while I was rumaging through our instrument closet. I was very
surprised to discover it. Anyway, it works wonderfully, though I had to
make some adjustments on it but overall it is in good condition
considering it has probably been sitting in that closet for who knows
how long. For those who were wondering, I think the serial number on it
is 2041. I don't know when the school bought it or when it was built,
but if anyone has a rough idea about when it was made, I would
appreciate the help because I'm curious how old it is. But it doesn't
really matter to me how old it is because I fell in love with it as soon
as I started playing it. It's a thrill to play. I'm sure other contra
players feel the same way. I still play the bass clarinet occasionally
even though it's a bit small : -). I'm considering majoring in music
when I go to college. I'm thinking about buying my own contra and I was
just wondering about a few things: Is there any big difference in tone
and sound quality between a wood contra and a metal one? Or between a
straight contra and a paperclip one? (besides the fact that paperclip
contras usually have greater low ranges). What are the best overall
mouthpieces and reeds for a contra? Are there any makers that are
especially good?(I know Leblanc makes good contras, but are there any
other makers worth looking into?) I'm probably going to buy one used
because I don't think I could afford a brand new one. Any other input
that anyone out there on the list has that would be useful in buying a
contra would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch.
Chris---------------------------------------------------------
From: "Brit Minor"
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 22:48:21 -0500
Subject: Re: [CB] Contrabass clarinet mouthpieces
Thanks for the input on mouthpieces. I've requested three on trial from WW&BW (and thanks for pointing me to that comprehensive source).
On to contrabass clarinet reeds, and reeds in general. I've played VanDoren soprano and bass clarinet reeds for years. I'm therefore accustomed to finding no more than 40-50% of the reeds in a box to be playable. I have read about how to turn squeaky or ill-formed reeds into playable ones, but have never had much success doing so. Are there any Dutch rush gurus out there who might share their secrets? Is there a reed FAQ?
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From: "Merlin Williams"
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 22:52:28 -0500
Subject: Re: [CB] Contrabass clarinet mouthpiecesLegere's baritone sax reeds should be out in Jan. or Feb. Give them a try on contra. Failing that, I've got several boxes of Selmer Omega contra reeds for sale.
Visit Merlin's Mouthpiece
A member of the Duke Ellington Ring, the Sax Ring, and
the Single Reed Webring.---------------------------------------------------------
From: "Ulrich Drechsler"
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 10:17:56 +0100
Subject: Re: [CB] Contrabass clarinet mouthpieces
Hi Brit,
I'm a professional contraplayer living in Austria/Europe.
Re:mouthpieces.
Clark Fobes in San Francisco makes wonderful contra mouthpieces, not cheap but really fantastic.
Check out his homepage www.clarkwfobes.comOr you buy a Selmer or Leblanc mouthpiece and give to someone who can reface it for your needs.
For example, I use Selmer mouthpieces refaced by italien mouthpiece manufactury Pomarico.Reeds:
Forget about Vandoren (they are not worth the money).
Great contra reeds are made by french manufacturary Marca. Normally you can use 70-80 % ouit of a box.
Here in Europe they're even cheaper than Vandoren. You can also try different baritone sax reeds but I've made the experience that they have not enough heart (center part of the reed) to creat a good "centered, clarinetlike" sound, perhaps it works with a classical french cut baritone reed (Glotin,Selmer Omega,Marca).Uli
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Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 11:21:43 -0800
From: Andrew Stiller
Subject: Re: [CB] (no subject)At 9:59 PM -0500 11/30/00, Chris Rubenacker wrote:
>I'm considering majoring in music
>when I go to college. I'm thinking about buying my own contraMy advice: don't! Most college bands own contras these days,
expressly for students to play. When you get out of college, if you
find yourself in actual possession of a music degree, plus the intent
to make a career in music, plus a continued love for the cbcl.,
*then* is when you should think about buying one.--
Andrew Stiller
Kallisti Music Presshttp://www.netcom.com/~kallisti
Ut Sol inter planetas, Ita MUSICA inter Artes liberales in medio radiat.
--Heinrich Schuetz, 1640
---------------------------------------------------------From: "Jean Adler"
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 12:33:33 -0600
Subject: Re: [CB] Contrabass clarinet mouthpiecesBrit,
I have some very nice contra reeds I will part with. Let me know,
Jean
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Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 11:36:55 -0700
From: Grant Green
Subject: Re: [CB] When to buy a contra...
>At 9:59 PM -0500 11/30/00, Chris Rubenacker wrote:
>>I'm considering majoring in music
>>when I go to college. I'm thinking about buying my own contra
>
>My advice: don't! Most college bands own contras these days,
>expressly for students to play. When you get out of college, if you
>find yourself in actual possession of a music degree, plus the
>intent to make a career in music, plus a continued love for the
>cbcl., *then* is when you should think about buying one.Just out of curiosity, how many contra owners here have music degrees? Or make a career in music, for that matter?
Andrew is correct that you probably won't *need* your own contra until you leave college (and if you end up teaching, may have essentially unlimited access to a contra anyway). If you're starting college, you'll probably have several other demands on your funds... ;-) Taking advantage of the school horns is smart advice.
It is possible that Leblanc and Selmer will stop making new ones, but it is probable that you'll always be able to find a decent horn second-hand (given enough patience).
Enjoy!
Grant
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green
ecode:contrabass http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool -> http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
---------------------------------------------------------From: CrazyBassoonist
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 17:05:26 EST
Subject: Re: [CB] (no subject)<< Most college bands own contras these days,
expressly for students to play. >>My college (Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA) doesn't. There's a
bass clarinet to low C, a vintage Selmer bari sax to low Bb (which I play),
and a contrabassoon; no lower clarinets or saxes though. You'd think there
would be more, since this is a pretty good music school. Oh well. Maybe
after I convince them to get a bari with a low A (which is called for in
almost every piece I have to play) we can get some contras.
~Mark~
bassoon
baritone sax
---------------------------------------------------------From: TIFFCONTRA
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2000 18:01:56 EST
Subject: Re: [CB] (no subject)
Hi!
I don't have a lot of experience with metal contras but I can tell you
that wooden ones get sort of expensive. (the avg. price when I called
around was $7000). In college you may not be able to play contra as your
concentrated instrument. I'm a college freshman @ Jacksonville State
University and they wouldn't allow me to. :( Another word on coming into
music--- be ready to study!!! Its fun but it takes some getting used to.
Tiff
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