This is a live recording from the 2019 Clarinet Colloquium at Texas A&M University at Commerce where Matthew Banks and I try to dispel some of the myths and rumors about the Alto Clarinet.
Really useful resource on the Alto Clarinet! You've well and truly convinced me to give the instrument a go (and keep in mind that I'm an Oboist and a Baritone Hornist - not a single reed player in any way, shape, or form). If anyone's looking to get a floor peg installed, btw, I'd suggest contacting Jared De Leon in Connecticut, as he only charges $125 (USD) to do the floor peg - floor peg is at his expense, shipping is at yours, and he's able to do international business
Greetings from Ukraine! Thank you for such informative and entertaining video! Also, for mentioning Vandoren B44 mouthpiece and especially David Hite which I was not even aware of.
I love my alto clarinet. I also have a LeBlanc Noblet. You are absolutely right about putting a floor peg on the instrument. Playing with the neck strap really puts the instrument in an uncomfortable and instead position particularly with the right hand. Wish the link was here for the recital 😢 but still this was a great video. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks ! Great speak and great playing ! I play Alto clarinet since... 14 months, after 3 years on B flat soprano clarinet. I never came back to my B flat, until now. I miss lower notes when I'm on the soprano ; Alto is the last clarinet in the "low" register with open tone holes wich I do prefer to closed tone holes ; it's lighter and easier to carry than a Bass clarinet ; you can easily found a synthetic body Alto at fair price, more sturdy than the wooden ones to play jams in streets or pubs (I have a Buescher/Bundy by Selmer US Alto from the late '60s, but it sounds good with my very good Selmer "Paris" C* mouthpiece). I don't know if I'm trapped or doomed, but I'm happy with it.
Oh, piece of advice for anyone outside of the USA who wants to give the Alto Clarinet a go: pay for international shipping, and buy a used instrument from the USA. I know that neither of the two biggest music stores in Australia (Sax & Woodwind, Ozwinds) sell an Alto Clarinet that retails for less than $9000 - as Bret & Matthew showed, spending a tenth of that is more than enough
My alto was bought in a pawnbrokers in Australia. I THINK it's a Bundy. Hated it until I bought a good mouthpiece and fitted a peg (horrible ergonomics on a strap). Lent it to a friend who used it professionally until his was repaired. Getting to love it, though I mainly use a bass.
I am one of 2 alto players in a 100 plus member community band. We have about 20 b flat clarinets a 5 bass clarinets. But we altos make ourselves heard. Don't badmouth the Bundy!. I play a Bundy and with maintenance and a good mouthpiece it plays very well. Thanks for this video which promotes a neglected instrument.
I have owned noblet and selmer and prefer my older Leblanc alto clarinet with the tenor sax style neck. It feels much more comfortable to play. I play all clar, sax and flutes so my airstream is pretty strong so I dont need a straightened out neck.
Good, informative talk! I wonder why band directors choose to put what is considered the worst player on alto or bass clarinet and expecting things to work out.
We do recruit a fair number of euphonists that way. Fortunately, the exiled trumpeter or trombonist usually falls in love with the new instrument and we get to add a new cult member.
Not about the Alto, but About the high Eb, you can use Bb clarinet reeds on it. Far easier in my opinion. And if you already have a legere for it boom you just saved a TON of money. Have a great day, Sincerely Instrument Guy
Tenor Saxophone is the most neglected instrument that's still in the standard wind band. I've heard Tenor players complain about how their part doesn't feel important, since most of the time they're doubling the Euphoniums, or Trombones, or Altos, or Clarinets, or some other part. I honestly think it wouldn't be terrible to ask the Tenor Sax player to switch to a different, more useful Saxophone. Maybe Soprano, or Bass, or just another Alto.
A shame really as the tenor is the original saxophone. Unfortunately it is the failed bass clarinet (yes, those two instruments were patented simultaneously by Adolf Sax, same size, same reed, same shape, same key!)
FINALLY, I am no longer the only only multi instrumentalist in the chat. I can play trombone, trumpet, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, baritone (both normal and marching), flute, piccolo, Bb clarinet, Alto clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, bari sax, piano, marimba, glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone, snare, bass drum, drum set, and almost any accessories that are in a band/orchestra.
I preferred the first one.. probably because I play bass clarinet. I have a huge prejudice against Alto clarinet.. but this sounds pretty good I guess 😂
