I just watched this video on the alto by Michael Lowenstern aka Earspasm Music. I'm curious if all altos are designed that way...

https://youtu.be/5_dmJvcubrE

Quote from: LarryS on May 22, 2021, 11:04:57 AM

I thought alto was just short for contra alto ...or are they seperate instruments?

Entirely different. Bass clarinet is one octave lower than the soprano clarinet.
Likewise, the contra alto is one octave lower than the alto.

The contra alto is pretty much the last clarinet you can reasonably play sitting down; the straight contrabass need a 7 foot tall player or they need to stand up.

So where does the alto sit?

After learning this on recorder, playing by ear, I decided to pick up the clarinet again. And I'm glad I did!
https://youtu.be/5yYPj3kU-3Q

Someone suggested I try this song, in a jazzy style, so I worked out the notes in my head and went for it. I think it normally starts on A but that takes me over the break. Not yet...So I'm starting on E.
Playing on a Rico Royal 2, Yamaha mouthpiece

https://youtu.be/Kx1EA_l7XLY

.  On the Yamaha, the 3 sounds like it's a bit too hard.

That could be just me not being used to a harder reed, and the fact they're brand new reeds. Do they take time to wear in?

Ok so I'm trying out Rico Royals strength 3. I expected to really struggle to get air out but it was a lot easier than I expected! At first all I got was air, but I guess new reeds need warming up. I first tried one with the Noblet 2V mpc, and while it improved things it was a struggle. Much easier to play on the Yamaha 4C, with no squeaks at all, which surprised me!
First, on the Noblet
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMC3jnZg-CW/?igshid=15bugzq70qt4k

Then the Yamaha
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMC4afJgaKx/?igshid=1ve1s2to0vian

But only if its a return ticket...

Yamaha 4C + Legere 2.5 EC

https://youtu.be/1p2ONKWGURM

I couldnt help noticing that the noblet plays flat, so I switched to the longer barrel. Et voila!