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Question: What kind of Eb alto clarinet mouthpiece should a beginner (me) use!?
The brand of the clarinet I have is either a Selmer or a Bundy (or maybe even both) clarinet!. I'm not entirely sure!. I have no experience at playing the Eb alto clarinet, but I have played Bb clarinet before!. also, what is some good beginner learning material!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
First, Bundy is a student model line of Selmer, and if you are just starting I would say that is probably what you are using!.

There is a problem with most alto clarinet mouthpieces (student OR pro model mouthpieces), and that is that they are designed to make the low register beautiful and resonant, but they have a tendency to sacrifice the higher octaves!.!.!. they become pitchy and the tone becomes weak!.

As far as student model mouthpieces, you can expect to spend $40 to $60, give or take!.!.!. here is a good beginner mouthpiece:
http://www!.interstatemusic!.com/webapp/wc!.!.!.

If you have the money to spend on a professional mouthpiece, there is a great one that helps even out the tone!.!.!. but it runs about $220!.
http://www!.clarinetxpress!.com/altoclar!.h!.!.!.
He specializes in mouthpiece making, and uses Zinner blanks (which probably means nothing to you, but that’s ok! lol)!.

Unless you get really good really fast (like college level playing) or are in crazy high demand (which alto players are NOT), I would skip the pro mouthpiece for now- you don’t really need it!.

As for material to play, there really isn’t a whole lot!. There are very few parts in orchestra or band for alto clarinet, and even fewer “guide books”!. There is one book that I know of written for alto clarinet, but it is an intermediate level book (Essential Technique for Alto Clarinet: http://www!.andysmusiconline!.com/ProductD!.!.!. You can try some of the technique books for Bb clarinet (The Lazarus Method, The Baerman Method, or the Klose Method books are all GREAT study and etude books)!. The one problem with these is that they may focus on your upper register!. While it’s not a bad idea to work on that part of your horn (remember- pitchy and weak!), you should also try to work the rest of your instrument’s range!.

The other thing is, that if you are going to play alto clarinet in a school band, you will be doubling a few other parts (remember- not a lot of repertoire)!. You will find yourself pretending to be a saxophone for much of the time, and occasionally doubling the 3rd clarinets!. You may want to try finding an alto sax book (also an Eb instrument) and working out of that… but remember that alto sax does not go as low as your alto clarinet!.

also, your embouchure will be more like that of the sax, as opposed to the Bb clarinet!. Relax your jaw and throat a little bit, but on the high notes, you should still keep your tongue high in your mouth in the “EEEE” position!. And one more thing… make sure to practice with a tuner- have I mentioned that the high end can be pitchy and weak!?! ;)

I’m sorry if this read like a stereo instruction manual, but I hope it helps! Good luck, and have fun! :)Www@QuestionHome@Com