[Dixielandjazz] Clarinet or Soprano?

[Tom Belmessieri]

It's pretty much a given that the sop. sax is a much more powerful 
instrument than the clarinet, and some may prefer using it (outdoors) just 
so it can be heard.  Another point to consider though is that they are two 
different instruments and make different kinds of sound.  Personally I 
prefer the clarinet sound in a traditional dixieland front line because it 
has more of a contrast to the brass instruments, especially the trombone.  
Also, the sound does not come out the end of a clarinet, or any woodwind for 
that matter, but rather the holes (unless they are all covered up).  So one 
does not have to tilt one's head back to project the sound into the audience 
as one suggested.  And what's wrong with using a mike?  Granted, I've had my 
share of dealing with poor sound men, but if it's adjusted and balanced 
right, one may not even realize the mike was on.

Well, there's my 2 cents from another usually silent absorber.


Tom B.
-----------
>From: "LARRY'S Signs and Large Format Printing" <sign.guy at charter.net>
>To: "Russ Guarino" <russg at redshift.com>,"Dixie Jazz" 
><dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Clarinet or Soprano?
>Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2005 17:49:40 -0500
>
>Soprano will cut through where the clarinet can only project in the high
>register.  Many clarinet players just don't project very well.  The low
>register is almost useless , un amplified, outside or in a big room or in a
>room full of people having a good time or just talking.  The clarinet 
>mainly
>sends its sounds down toward the floor and you have to point it out toward
>the crowd..  This requires tilting the head back to maintain the proper
>playing angle.  Many guys if pointing it toward the audience switch to more
>straight in like a sax.  This  may not lend itself to a good sound or good
>projection.  Tilting the head back isn't very comfortable.  Soprano on the
>other hand has the power depending on the mouthpiece you choose.
>
>A few years ago I went to an affair where a guy was playing clarinet.  I
>really was there to hear him.  He stayed in the low register almost all
>evening and the crowd noise just covered him up.  What a waste.
>
>I worked for a Trombone player who kept after me to play in the low 
>register
>because it sounded so good but since almost everything we did was outdoors
>he wanted it loud too.   It was an oxymoron to do what he wanted.
>
>I find that I overpower the band on soprano  if I'm not careful.
>
>If you must use clarinet outside find a mouthpiece/reed combination that
>will project or at least increase the reed strength 1/2 step. Raise the
>clarinet as you play solos and stay in the high register above third space
>C.  Finally get used to pumping a lot of air through the horn.  The last is
>really important.  Air is everything.
>
>Larry Walton
>St. Louis
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Russ Guarino" <russg at redshift.com>
>To: "Dixie Jazz" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 2:28 PM
>Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Clarinet or Soprano?
>
>
> > It is nice to report,
> >
> > My small Dixie band played at a three day air show last week, outside on
> > the airstrip where they tie down the planes for display.
> >
> > We were keyboard, bass sax, drums and  me on clarinet.
> >
> > I discovered that outdoors the soprano sax was a better choice than
> > clarinet as it had more projection and richer harmonics.
> >
> > This was the best air show we ever did.  The manager said we were a
> > "legend".  Mark Allen Jones was on the keys.  Without him we would have
> > sounded ordinary.  I think the soprano also made a difference.
> >
> > We did not have electricity for the keyboard and amp, so I bought a
> > "power pac" at Costco, which I now recommend to any band that does
> > outdoor work, not always close to electricity.  It's heavy, but a great
> > accessory  to power up mics   and electronic equipment.  One note, a
> > guitarist on one gig discovered his old "tube" amp buzzed with this
> > power source, but the fully "chipped" amps were OK.
> >
> > Russ Guarino
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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>
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