[bradfordlloyd]

I played e flat clarinet for several years, and eventually got frustrated with all of the intonation challenges, the need to practice it constantly, and the amount of money I had invested in the instrument and all the gear. (I'm also 6'6" tall and look reasonably ridiculous playing it!). So, I sold my expensive instrument and gear to a friend and focused on some other horns that were less finnicky, and better suited to my physical stature.

However, another friend asked if I would play eefer for him on a recording he's working on. Given COVID-19 and the quarantine, I needed a project and was bored enough to agree. So, I bought and had refurbished a vintage horn to play (see photo) and have been loving it. Maybe I just needed a distraction, or maybe I'm approaching it with a better attitiude, but this time playing e flat has been a ton of fun.

Anyone else have this experience?

 

[ving]

I was borrowing a friend’s Eb back in March in preparation of subbing for him on a show for a couple of weeks and over the summer on a weekly basis. Needless to say, all those dates were canceled due to the virus. I have to say I was slightly relieved at not having to play it, haha!

 

[bradfordlloyd]

Yeah...some of those Eb parts can be devilishly tricky....especially with the horn being so small!

 

[clarnibass]

Eb clarinet was my first instrument I've ever played.

 

[bradfordlloyd]

Wow...that's a tough instrument to start on! How did that happen?

 

[kreacher]

Wow...that's a tough instrument to start on! How did that happen?

Some young players, especially with small hands, when they start at the clarinet can't cover the keys, so they'll instead start on an eefer. It's harder, but works and they can play, close the keys and then move to the Bb. Now with the Nuvo clarinets and the like being more prevalent, maybe that will change a bit.

 

[clarnibass]

Wow...that's a tough instrument to start on! How did that happen?

Same as what kreacher wrote. I was too small, only about six when started looking into it. First conservatorium suggested starting with piano, violin, cello or recorder and made a young kid cry... Teacher at the other place heard of this from a Dutch teacher about them starting younger kids on clarinet that way there, so that's what we've done. I started a little before I was seven and I think I changed to a Bb clarinet a couple of years later.

 

[clarnibass]

Now with the Nuvo clarinets and the like being more prevalent, maybe that will change a bit.

I'm not sure there are any decent but inexpensive Eb clarinet now, except some Chinese ones that are... who knows? Maybe ok for a young kid.
I got a Vito which was still made new back then (a few decades ago). I had to get it from friends in the USA and then someone brought it here. There were none locally other than special ordering a professional model.

 

[Arundo Donax]

Eb Alto: crying

 

[dirty]

I love the sound of the Eb clarinet but I have never loved playing it.

I'm glad that there are people who do!

 

[bradfordlloyd]

Eb Alto: crying

No reason to cry! Eb sopranino and Eb alto clarinets are the seldom seen (and often forgotten) relatives of the Bb soprano and Bb bass. But at least we have each other.

Now if they could just stop blaming us for being out of tune....

 

[ving]

I actually started on alto clarinet. Talk about irrelevant haha!

 

[Arundo Donax]

I'd like to get one, despite all I read about it on the internet.

This is nice:

and some fun from Norway: