I bought an Alto Clarinet on Ebay but... does it work?
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- Опубліковано 5 лис 2019
- The most hated clarinet in the entire family & I won it in an ebay auction 🎷
Here is the full Alto Clarinet song: • Outer Fields - Alto Cl...
~~ Luke Pickman ( @InstrumentManiac ) ~~
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#AltoClarinet #Ebay #ClarinetFamily
As a fellow alto player I’m glad to see someone else giving the instrument love and appreciation, it really is underrated and doesn’t deserve all of the unjust hate it gets. So glad to see someone give it justice.
Yes!! This this this!
I'm hoping to bring more of it as a presence with high quality recordings on UA-cam.
Revive it from the dead!
Why is it hated so much? It sounds sick to me
@@jacksonn5240 let me get a you tube link to a very informative video on the subject-
@@jacksonn5240 ua-cam.com/video/q2OJ8eTCPZ4/v-deo.html
Ikr!! I’m a trumpet player but however, this instrument is severely underrated. It sounds amazing and seems to have a nice range as well:D
God, I'm so surprised the alto clarinet goes so unnoticed. It's like the Tenor Sax of the clarinet family, it retains the large, beautiful low register of the bass while being able to get quite high as well.
Yeah, except people actually like the tenor sax
The sound it's pretty cool, is like a mix between the soprano Bb and Bass clarinets, which makes for a dark but sweet tone at the same time. I understand the hate as a soprano clarinet player because its lack of repertoire and rarity of the instrument itself but I'd like to play one in the future
Can't people just play whatever they want on it? Transpose stuff or just play with the same fingerings? Why should not having a repertoire matter, is something I never understand...
@@luckybarrel7829 Anyone can play anything as long as you can transpose it, but it’s the idea of utilizing an instruments wonderful range, and utilizing its wonderful sounds to make more interesting music.
I've become fascinated with this instrument lately, to the point where I daydream about getting one and what I could do with it... I'm glad to see the alto clarinet has several dedicated advocates working to dispel the negative stereotypes... Thank you!
It's a strange but wonderful instrument! You can get a pretty decent one from ebay for 300-400 so definitely worth the investment. Best of luck!
@@InstrumentManiac Yeah, the combination of "pretty good" and "pretty cheap" is a nice sweet spot. You're sure not going to find a basset horn in that price range.
Hopefully by now you've got yourself one. I reckon it's the best of the clarinet family.
I jist bought a Bundy alto clarinet off eBay for $450, and if arrived a couple hours ago. It has a one-piece body, so the case is long. I'm happy with it, although it needs a bit of "tweaking" to be ideal.
Before today I had never held or even seen an alto clarinet up close, but I played bass clarinet (and soprano clarinet) in school, and last year I bought a contra-alto (AKA EEb contrabass) clarinet off eBay, so it's interesting to have obtained this "miniature" version of the latter instrument that plays an octave apart.
I also have brass instruments, including trumpets, baritone horns and tubas, so the open written "G" on these clarinets is the same pitche as the open 2nd partial on the trumpet (written "C") and baritone horn (written "Bb"), respectively. Playing the low written "G" on the two clarinets gives the same pitch as the 1st partial Bb on the baritone horn (and trombone) and the tuba.
At some point I'll probably get a Bb bass clarinet (the school owned the one I played years ago). I like the BBb contrabass, but I doubt I could bit it into the car!
No suprise that you made the alto sound incredible. An under rated instrument but the bass still has a place in my heart 😁 #basssquad
Thank you Isaac! :D
Of course... #bassSQUAD4LYFE
#basssquad
I am sorry, but #Contraltosquad
i am a formal alto clar player myself i would like to know what song
you are playing
I was switched off Bass back onto Bb clarinet, 😢
Since I am not a classically trained musician I don't understand this thing about the Alto Clarinet being hated. I'm a sax player and play alto, Tenor and soprano and don't see anyone hating any of those. Some people prefer one over the others but that is only natural because it has to do with your own "voice". Tenor is my natural voice, so I love tenor sax but I also love alto, especially now that age has made the weight of the tenor hard on my spine. I recently got a bass clarinet to play as a double and I love it. The sound and resonance is simply wonderful, so I was wondering about what the Alto clarinet is like to play. It has a very warm romantic sound and seems to me that jazz played with it would be just as good as any other woodwind and depending on the reed and mouthpiece I know that it can play more bluesy and jazz type sounds and lines. Probably more so than the standard Bb clarinet, which I have no interest in trying.. I know someone who plays Bassoon in an Afro beat group and is fantastic. Go figure, but it is true. So why should people diss the Alto clarinet? I don't get it.
BTW, very nice playing-- Warm and romantically sensuous. So thank you for the demo.
Nice performance!
I used to play the alto clarinet back in high school and it really is a nice instrument, but the pieces that are written for it tended to be as boring as all hell - and I think that is where the hate comes from - we didn't have the deep resonance of the bass clarinets or the speed of the b-flats so we often felt like a musical after-thought in the orchestra.
Definitely an under-appreciated instrument.
Thanks for watching Jerry! Geez I can imagine, I thought Bass Clarinet parts were kind of boring in HS but that would be a new low 😆 I think part of the issue is the range of the clarinet is massive compared to flute so something like an alto/bass flute really extends the range the bass clarinet kind of picks up everything the Bb can't do. Although I still love the unique sound of this lil guy
I disagree that the alto lacks the speed of the B♭, at least when playing at the high school level -- and assuming the instrument is in good condition (which is often not the case). The parts suck because of a chicken and egg problem -- almost nobody writes interesting parts for the instrument because it has a bad reputation, which in turn reinforces that bad reputation. I think writing for it as a solo or chamber music instrument works just fine though, and it has plenty of agility in that role.
You might consider writing music for that instrument that you would like to play. With your background it might be an exciting experiment!
The melody you played really moved me. It’s just perfect. I love you.
Thank you Sativum :) Happy you liked the melody!
You are a very talented musician. I am impressed by the quality of your playing and by the quality of your recordings. Keep up the good work!
Yes 🙌🏽 post more tunes sounds great
Luke, you're amazing!!! Please keep videos like these coming 😁🎶!
Thanks for the support Miguel!
I don't care what anyone says, but the alto clarinet is my favourite sounding clarinet. It's got just that nice blend of the soprano and bass clarinet tones that can be haunting.
I think it has the best range of the clarinet family. I haven't played mine in a long time ... but I'm going to fix that right now ..
BEAUTIFUL. MANY THANKS.
Upvote for your playing!
The funny thing is that it was packaged in a scott toiler paper box
I guess it was fitting 😅
Grew up on the Alto! This makes me wanna buy one again.
Hey I just wanted to say your they best instrument UA-camr I’ve ever seen! Keep up the great work.
Ah thanks Mason!
We need to get the alto clarinet back into the spotlight! I am finally, after 4 years, sending mine to a tech for some serious work. Can’t wait to play it again!
It has a beautiful tone !
Thank you Rojer!
I LOVE the alto clarinet.....it has been my favorite clarinet since the first day i played one!!
Thanks for this. The alto is underrated and fills the sound area between B flat and bass beautifully. I play an old Bundy and, with a modern mouthpiece, it plays very well. Lots of classical music written for the basset horn which is very like the alto clarinet (which should really be called the tenor clarinet). By the way, if you are going to play in longer gigs invest in a floor peg like those on bass clarinets.
That's awesome to hear Ron! Yes the sound is just sublime, glad you get a lot of joy out of it. Great advice I'll look into it!
If you don't want to modify the instrument, you can use a guitarist's foot rest to prop it up instead. I do this with even heavier instruments like baritone saxophone, since peg mounts on those are a relatively recent development and mine is 57 years old.
Wonderful. My alto is from eBay also, I got it a number of years ago after I played it in high school. The high school one was beaten to within 6 inches of hell, but it played pretty well. I got one later to refresh my skills and also to work on writing pieces for it also. It needs a "champion" and I hope my music will be part of that voice to bring more love to this lovely instrument! Thanks for making this video, you have wonderful lower clarinet technique!
Nice sound!
I was already considering getting one for my instrument collection and this just sold me! Absolutely well done!
Ah glad to hear this helped you!
Love that you did a sort of before/after with the repair!
Ahh glad you liked that part of it thanks Steven!
Alto clarinet was the first clarinet I learnt some 25~ years ago. I was a oboist, not partiuclar strong at times when forced to do lead parts, and wanted a second instrument to jerk around on. Saw a brand-new alto for sale, bought it, and my adventures in Clarinet began. Ended up playing alto in one of the local amateur orchestras, covering bassoon and tuba parts to fill in some holes we had. So glad to see the love for the alto clarinet.
I have an old Vito bass clarinet -- plastic and not pretty, but it is reliable, plays in tune, and has a big, pretty sound. Not bad. I recently bought a Bundy contra-alto (bigger than bass) clarinet on ebay (knowing it would need major work). I had a complete overhaul, but now it is sweet -- my new favorite of the clarinet family.
My editing champion. This is amazing mr
Thanks Matt!
For me, the alto was definitely the most enjoyable of the clarinet family to play; the range, the sound .... gorgeous instrument.
Alto clarinet and contra alto clarinet are cool
They are!
They are indeed as is contrabass clarinet love those low tones
2:59
I love the alto
I am going to try my schools alto clarinet
Great to hear! Best of luck playing it 😄
Very nice presentation and performance.
Thanks Tommy glad you enjoyed it 😄
I love its unique sound! It would be cool if I could play an alto one day.
Dude, you’re too much. Love your music!
Dang, that sounds awesome
Thanks ZeldaBoss!
Very nice !
Really nice sound you got on the Alto! I haven't been able to touch one myself yet. This instrument seems to be in the shadows of its two brothers, the Bb Bass and the F Basset Horn which are generally considered more favorable. I hope to be able to play on one myself someday!
They're usually pretty reasonable on ebay - best of luck on your quest to find one!
Such an earnest video, thank you
I'm getting my alto clarinet today!
Ahh that's so exciting hope you have fun!
@@InstrumentManiac Thanks! I already love playing it! It's a 70s (I think) King Tempo.
Vito Alto clarinets are for me the best sounding and the best and strongest keywork.
Agreed!
same goes for their bass clarinets. better than the bundy
I love my Vito alto. Someone gave me a Bundy that is in fine working order, but it's weak and stuffy in comparison. Vito has a larger bore (19mm at the neck) vs. Bundy 18mm. It's harder to blow, too. I love my old school-surplus Vito.
I like those odd "in-between" instruments. Alto flute, Oboe D'amore, Viola, alto clarinet mellophone, etc.
Pitched between the regular b flat clarinet and bass clarinet. The basset horn is also cool.
I've been playing alto for years. I have two: one in Eb and one in F (rare). The instrument goes back to 1809 with the idea of improving on the basset horn in F. After 60 years, the F was replaced by the Eb instrument.
If you're looking for a good alto mouthpiece, the J&D Hite alto clarinet mouthpiece is fantastic. It is very affordable, and it is designed to take both alto clarinet and alto sax reeds without issue.
I'm in the Minneapolis area too.
YAY!!!!!!
My son is in 10th grade and has been playing alto saxophone 🎷 since 4th grade, and today, he is asking his music teacher if he can borrow and start playing the schools alto clarinet. I was shocked but ok with it, but now I see why he wants to play it, it's a beautiful instrument. Plus, the more instruments he can get his hands on now, the better.🥰
Rich af school
Love e flat alto clarinet !!!
I’ve always wondered why people hated the Alto. I love it and while it isn’t my favorite of the clarinet family, I do hope to get one in the future
You should! It's a fun instrument
Aside from the fact that just one alto clarinet vanishes when placed between a dozen clarinets and a bass clarinet, I think it comes down to optimization or a lack thereof. It's much easier to find great B♭/A clarinet mouthpieces and reeds than it is for any other size, because the market just isn't there. The instruments similarly suffer from design neglect because it costs too much to re-tool for an instrument that sells well over an order of magnitude less. Mouthpieces are small and can be made on modern CNC machines, and thus are the easier problem to solve because it doesn't cost a whole lot to try a bunch of different ideas once you've invested in the ability to make them.
I sense some Kingdom Hearts Twilight Town theme renditions in the near future!!
I'll have to check that one out I haven't heard it before!
WOW!
Played the Eb Clarinet in high school ...and the Bb Clarinet. For concert wind band it fits in harmonically, but it's a challenge in an orchestral setting where the strings are on the opposite side of the Circle of Fifths. Thats why the Bb players have A-Clarinets, accidentials....lots of accidentials..
Wow no I like the alto clarinet seems really fun of course sense I have to play tenor sax and soon bass clarinet again I probably won’t learn it until I become a adult but that was a really nice piece so good job
Thanks Andrew! Luckily when you do get your hands on one, it plays very similar to bass clarinet so it'll be an easy switch ^_^
InstrumentManiac I think you might have fun on “ you’re a mean one mr grinch” on alto clarinet and bass clarinet maybe that will be a nice piece
I sold my Bb clarinet when I get my Alto clarinet, it's a wonderful instrument. Light weight compare to the Bass clarinet, with cool low sounds, not expensive if you choose a synthetic-body-student-instrument, the last low clarinet with open holes wich I do prefer to closed holes. It's a great video about a great instrument, thanks a lot.
Glad to hear you're an Alto player as well! Thanks for the kind words 😊
How many open holes, I wonder? Mine (Selmer Bundy) only has three: LH2 and RH 1 and 2. LH1 has a vent in it but is a plateau. The open holes contribute to it "feeling like a clarinet" but I'm not convinced they give me more control in any meaningful way because there aren't enough of them.
You got a steal of a deal at only $200.00 for your E Flat Alto Clarinet even if it needs adjustments. I played E Flat Alto Clarinet and E Flat Alto Saxophone as well as B Flat Soprano Clarinet in high school symphonic and marching band and also in 3 years of Jr. High School woodwinds class and band.
Look, it’s the 91 instrument lick guy
Truly incredible sound you achieved. Is the alto clarinet's brand Vito?
Alto clarinet is one of my favorite instruments. Makes me angry that nobody seems to want it in ensembles. I would buy one today if I thought I would have an opportunity to play outside of my home.
When is the contralto clarinet coming
I think that the main problem with it is the high cost. But I am more than happy with the regular Bb clarinet. I have a Bb bass, too, in case low notes are needed.
Love Groth Music!!!!
To my mind, the alto clarinet is the second best blues instrument to the electric guitar.
So, it seems the alto clarinet gets the same bad rep as the viola.
I just don't get it. Why, oh why do you need to disparage an instrument just because it is not your favourite? Or because it is supposedly "easier" to play?
By the way, the day I'll find an instrument that is easy to play, I believe I'll put it on a billboard for everyone to see.
There's no such thing as an easy instrument.
Forgive me for my rant, but I think that it's not the instrument, it's how well and what you play with it.
You played it beautifully and it sounded great, but only AFTER you had it fixed ;)
I agree!!! Especially with alto clarinet the timbre is very unique when compared to the clarinet or bass clarinet. Haha I also agree... there is really no easy instrument. Even triangle has some tricky techniques to learn! Thanks for the kind words ^_^
Although just like the viola, there's a lot of history involved. Albeit more history than the viola. I recommend watching "Why We Should Love the Alto Clarinet" from Dan the Fugue Guy on UA-cam, and also watching Bret Newton's stuff if you're interested.
objection saxophone is easy. take THAT protestants
@@aidanknox2430 hard to master
What are you playing? It's so nice!
I found an alto clarinet in a pawnbrokers and got a good price, on the basis that I knew what it was and they didn't. The only advantage of the alto clarinet is that the weaker throat tones are in a different place in the scale. My bass clarinet goes down to a low concert Bb and I've got 4 clear octaves above it. In theory the soprano clarinet goes an octave higher but that's going up into dog whistle territory.
The ergonomics of the alto clarinet are, for me at least, pretty bad and very similar to the C-melody sax. Admittedly I'm talking about the relationship between my own body and the instrument, so others will have a different experience though not necessarily a better one.
Beautiful! Also WHICH HARP IS THAT 😍
Thank you Mani!! It's the Marion 34 lever harp by Stoney End Harps (based in Minnesota!)
You need to check out some of the bizarre alto clarinets from the 1920s and older. Truly bizarre!
What make is it?
What do you consider "affordable" for repairs?
Around here an overhaul on an alto runs about $400... more than I'd want to spend on a $200 instrument, unless it was a steal of a deal on a good model.
BTW, while alto sax reeds will fit some alto clarinet mouthpieces, they're really not the same as alto clarinet reeds. Clarinet reeds as cut to have more wood in the center of the reed, which gives a less "scratchy" tone than with sax reeds.
Good questions! It's a Vito & repairs were ~$10.
I agree with you, I avoid buying instruments that need a full overhaul unless you're REALLY in love with the thing and it has no cracks. Also good to know! I've still had better luck with my alto sax reeds than the box of alto clarinet vandorens I bought but it could be a bad batch 😂
$10!!!! Where I’m at complete overhaul is around $600!!!! I have two altos
@@InstrumentManiac I find I can make alto sax reeds play better on alto clarinet if I extend the length of the cut down into the heel a little bit. This is easier if they're French cut to start with, but if they're not, I make them that way first (except synthetics -- there's no reason to peel nonexistent bark off a synthetic). The same goes for using tenor sax reeds on bass clarinet. They just work better if the cut is longer.
@@robertp2934 some repair shops won't just fix a pad or two, they figure if they are dissembling the horn to fix it, they would rather just fix all the pads at once rather than just doing them one or two at a time, hence the cost. A full refit is also preferable since another pad could fail at any time and cause the customer to send the repair back for a warranty call within a week due to it not playing well from a separate issue.
@@GuitarClassVideos I agree 100%. Fixing a little bit here and there can end up costing more in the long term. Thanks for commenting
Não encontro pra comprar esse clarinete, só acho nos sites do Brasil, já usado!
I may not be a woodwind player, but if I had the choice to learn a woodwind instrument, I would choose the Alto Clarinet, with the Bass Clarinet coming in at a sharp second. I will probably never understand why a lot of musicians hate the Alto Clarinet, I mean, I don't see anything offensively bad about it and it sounds really beautiful (as demonstrated in the video). Alto Clarinets are amazing, and I want to learn one right freaking now lol.
I played bass clarinet and I think it would be cool if I tried the alto clarinet
Yamaha also makes Alto Clarinets.
Are you going to do a instrument collection for 2020?
Yes! Probably will be up in February :)
Nice
I bought a Selmer USA alto clarinet for $80 dollars for sh*ts and giggles and, after sending it to the shop it works pretty well
0:54 it looks very similar to an oboe casing
Congrats on your new baby. Question: is there vibrato on alto clarinet? For most clarinets there is not. I guess there's a temptation to play it like an extended-range alto saxophone.
Thanks Scott! I mean you can vibrate on anything. I use vibrato (although more sparingly) on clarinet because I like the sound but not everyone agrees with me 🤣
That depends on genre a lot more than the size of the clarinet. If playing any kind of dance music, feel free to bend notes and lay on the vibrato. If playing Mendelssohn sonatas, don't.
There is no vibrato on it.
But if you want, I can sell it for you for good price...
But love it after.....
If you use a very close mouthpiece with a harder reed you will get a smoother silkier sound closer to a Basset horn not as harsh as the sound you produce.
Good to know! There was a very limited selection of mouthpieces available (aka just 1) so I stuck with the one that it came with
@@InstrumentManiac That's part of the problem with alto clarinets -- you're not going to be able to swap with other players in your band to see what works for you, and nobody is going to have a drawer full of mouthpieces for it either. Even baritone saxophone players get to try other people's setups more than alto or bass clarinettists do.
Ha-ha...
It is not harsh sound.
It is non classical sound.
And I, personally, like it.
What are the positives to the alto clarinet? maybe i'm naive, but it looks and sounds like the bass clarinet is far more superior and we should worship the bass in terms of versatility. You make it sound wonderful x
Haha great question! I like the sound of the upper register, it comes a lot easier and sounds clearer to me. You could describe it like a cello playing all the way up the finger board versus a viola. Both can play similar note range but have a unique tone when making the sound. Either way this is in no way a replacement for #bassSQUAD
Thanks for watching :)
Agility, mostly. I think it's the superior instrument for improvisation, and jazz in general, because it doesn't have the same dichotomy between registers. That was always my (minor) beef with Eric Dolphy's bass clarinet sound. Once he got into the middle of the clarino register, it sounded like an alto saxophone, but it was super woody down low, to the point where it could come across as two completely different instruments. Maybe it's just because you physically _can't_ play the alto clarinet that low, but it just seems to have more consistency across the range.
@@mal2ksc They do make altos down to it's own written low D, many have an Eb.
@@GuitarClassVideos I'd say the vast majority have the low E♭, although I had one that didn't. Nice to hear about the low D though, that's a very useful note and not a lot to ask for.
positives to me as a band director: 1.) they are smaller than Bass Clarinets, and its good for kids that you might have in mind for bass clarinet in the future but are too small to wrangle it presently (like 5th graders) 2.) they are cheaper than bass clarinets, and pretty readily available used since many schools just dump them since they don't know what to do with them. 3.) they tend to play in the low register (I use tuba parts for them) which is nice training for the RH fingers especially.
How much did your repair cost?
I play alto clr aswell 😋
Awesome!
Why is it so hated? It is like the bassoon of a sax section. Beautiful in it’s own way!
It’s… not a saxophone
Anyone know what piece he played?? Or did he make it, genuinly i think i sounds fabulously fabulous!! i NeeD this piece plsss
thanks! It's my own composition :)
@@InstrumentManiac It is wonderful and sounds very cool!!
👍👍👍
Honestly I’m one of those people that shit on the alto clarinet
I change my mind it sounds amazing tf
I noticed that your instrument has two joints rather than one body in the case. Does the single body differ from a two jointed Alto Clarinet in terms of quality? There are a lot more single bodied Alto Clarinets for sale, as I have only seen one available two-jointed Alto Clarinet. Also, do you have any advice for finding a good plastic/ Vito Reso-Tone Alto Clarinet? I want one that's in decent shape, but most online (eBay) are very... old & gross.......?
Good questions! Two piece bodies are generally better because it allows for more flexibility in tuning the instrument in certain weather conditions. Honestly I'd just keep your eyes peeled. I kept tabs on ebay for about 3 weeks before this one & lucked out that the repairs were very cheap to get it playable. Things I would look for from the seller would be instruments that are functioning and play-tested. When you do get one I strongly advise getting a vandoren alto mouthpiece, really can make any alto sound way better. Good luck hunting!!
@@InstrumentManiac Thank you for the information!
The few times I've seen vintage alto clarinets with two piece bodies (and I've owned one), they were keyed only to low E. The reduced size of the case was nice, but I can't say I noticed any difference in actual use except that I had to check the alignment of the linkage when assembling, which of course I don't have to do when the body is in one piece. I'd just say it comes down to personal preference -- if the instrument is in good repair, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference to how it plays, but there are both positive and negative convenience aspects to a two-piece body.
That’s exactly what I did
What brand is the alto clarinet?? What would that clarinet cost new?? And finally, what did you pay to get it repaired??
At 2:13 in the video you can see next to the mouthpiece it says Vito reso-tone on it. Hope this helps 👍
Do you recommend buying instruments on amazon?
Totally depends on the instrument! Make sure you read lots of reviews :)
What's the make and model of your vibraphone?
I'll have to check! I think it's Deagan...? I bought it off craigslist
What is that song at the end? It’s soooo beautiful!
Thanks! It's an original composition 😄
@@InstrumentManiac I would love to hear the full version at some point
does it have the same range as the Tenor Sax?
Alto clarinet can go a note or 2 lower I believe
What brand is it?
What is the song called ?
ngl this kind sounds like bass clarinet idk why
Is that...a toilet paper box? The irony is not lost on me...
Shipped in the true form of an Alto Clarinet
The song u were playing is so cool! What’s the name?
Thank you! Haha I never gave it a name.. what kind of name did it sound like?
InstrumentManiac the name sounds kinda like a sad song but I don’t know
InstrumentManiac wait so you created this song right? 🤩
I did! I compose songs and then forget to name them 😂
What brand?
So what mouthpiece did it come with?
It's a very old mouthpiece. It faintly says JA Precision on the front but when I looked online I didn't see anything remotely close looking.