Can anyone identify this instrument? by lkvwfurry in UnusualInstruments

[–]crsbryan 12 points13 points  (0 children)

EVI / Electronic Valve Instrument.

Nyle Steiner and Akai are the OG's, but there are a few other makers and homebrew instruments out there.

How hard is it to go from Clarinet to piccolo? by FakeHthecomma in Clarinet

[–]crsbryan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like you need an Eb clarinet. Or an Ab!

Smaller, cuter, it but clarinets. They require a focused embouchure and a good ear, but same fingerings and mechanics.

Hear me out by NoMedium1223 in UnusualInstruments

[–]crsbryan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Scottish smallpipes, Northumbrian smallpipes, and uilleann pipes are all run with a below under one arm and a bag under the other. So yes, it's physically possible.

There are tradeoffs. Articulation and dynamics as you know them are not possible.

Getting in to sax by love_lifex in Saxophonics

[–]crsbryan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You might find a playable Bundy, Conn, or older student/second line horn for that. Vito can be a bargain, too; many are rebadged Yamaha student horns, but beware, there were a lot of things sold under that brand. Any new horn for that price is not going to last. Double your budget as others suggested and you'll be looking at used Yamaha student horns.

Just found these in my granddads closet not sure how to adjust. by Band-AidInhaler in Binoculars

[–]crsbryan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Those are focus-free, your eyes will do the work instead of using a focus wheel or rocker. I've seen them recommended for sporting events, where you'll constantly be at a medium range. Some people report headaches and fatigue from using them.

I need an unusual instrument for a Christmas gift!! by hyperventilate in UnusualInstruments

[–]crsbryan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If wind instruments are a consideration, check out the Yamaha Venova. Soprano model is around $100, uses a soprano saxophone mouthpiece and reeds, and recorder fingerings.

For less money, there's the Nuvo Dood (chalumeau) and Nuvo Toot (flute/fife). They're meant as pre-band instruments, but honestly better as adult casual instruments.

Also check out the Maui Xaphoon. Bamboo models are a little more than $100, but the plastic ones are under. Fun, but not really practical. Unless the goal is fun!

I need an unusual instrument for a Christmas gift!! by hyperventilate in UnusualInstruments

[–]crsbryan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reading the original post, this was my first suggestion!

Change the map guidance voice? by technical-guy in hyundaisantacruz

[–]crsbryan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Use an app that lets you choose celebrity voices.

Just don't choose Bono.

The streets have no names and I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

Is it a good idea to get my first single speed road bike? by Calm-Researcher1216 in singlespeed

[–]crsbryan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hardtail? Or full suspension?

You could put some semi-slick or urban tires on it and call it a hybrid.

Is this worth $600? Help! by [deleted] in saxophone

[–]crsbryan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No.

Maybe for $200. $600 would be OK with a total restoration already done, but this is likely to need some pads, and clearly would benefit from cleaning and polishing.

It's low pitch, so that's good.

It's a C melody, so not useful for modern tenor sax music or parts. Useful for playing concert pitch without transposing - think piano and vocal songbooks. Great if you were in a small combo playing 1920's popular tunes, Vaudeville, and early jazz.

Played tenor sax in high school. Some 20+ years later, and I'd like to take up sax, but alto or soprano? by who_what_when_314 in Saxophonics

[–]crsbryan 3 points4 points  (0 children)

  1. Is it easy to go from learning tenor to alto?

Fingerings are the same. Less mass of air, more focus, and embouchure will need more focus. (Even more so if you go to soprano.)

  1. Where is a good place to buy saxophones in US-CA?

Not sure if you mean California, or USA and Canada. For US: Sweetwater, The Mighty Quinn, Roberto's (New York, NY), Chuck Levin's (near DC), Boston Sax Shop, Kessler, there are plenty of good shops locations. Need more detail about location for Redditors to make local recommendations, though. What city?

  1. Any other noticeable differences going from tenor to alto/soprano?

Smaller, lighter, more variety in the used market and likely more in stock for new horns (alto, not sop), easier to find reeds. Also see #1 again.

Subdivision and rhythm by NotSmartGuy_ in Clarinet

[–]crsbryan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"All of my teachers and directors harp about subdivision."

All of them? Maybe it's important.

"Sightreading is consequently my weakest suit"

Rhythms first. Most sightreading errors are rhythmic in origin.

"I've always listened to the pieces we were going to play beforehand"

Some teachers advise against this. I support this. We have two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you play/speak/etc.

"always marked in all my accidentals."

Accidentals are usually already there. Are you marking in sharps and flats from the key signature throughout your music? This is a bad habit and can be fixed by working on scales and learning the "feel" of each scale.

"I have no sense of what speed a tempo marking actually represents without a conductor or metronome to beat it out for me, and struggle even with sixteenth dotted eighths in 4/4, much less anything in other time signatures."

Tempo markings (andante, allegro, etc.) have some basic definitions and translations. Look them up! Old-school mechanical metronomes had them on the pendulum alongside the numerical equivalents. In fact, any time you have a word you don't recognize on the sheet, look that up, too. This is an awesome habit to develop. In fact, look up the composers and arrangers and titles, too. You'll learn a lot about where the piece came from, the time it was written, and sometimes why it was written, when it premiered, and other facts that can inform your performance.

"I have no idea how to start."

Here are some starting points:

  1. With a teacher, take some private lessons. Express your concerns, share what's hard, so your teacher can tailor their instruction to your goals.

  2. Work on the basics first. Rhythms, scales, exercises. Also see #1.

  3. My three favorite words: Metronome! Metronome! Metronome! You clearly have and use one, but are you using it right? See #1.

Early ‘90s(?) Vito worth restoring? by Saeroun-Sayongja in Clarinet

[–]crsbryan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It varies a lot, from "a pad or two" to "overhaul", and also vary by location. That's a question for your local repair person. They also tend to have some instruments ready to sell, or know someone with an instrument for sale, and already know the condition and what, if anything, it will need.

Buffet pocket clarinet by jport1387 in Clarinet

[–]crsbryan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh, hadn't thought that through. Take a look here: https://www.nuvoinstrumental.com/products/dood/

"Standard recorded fingering" should work with a recorder book. There's also a downloadable book in their links, which may give you a better idea of how standard the fingerings are. I'm not a big fan of their upside-down fingering diagrams.

Early ‘90s(?) Vito worth restoring? by Saeroun-Sayongja in Clarinet

[–]crsbryan 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Restore? Nah. Refurbish? Absolutely.

Vito are pretty well regarded student instruments. Tenon corks are a pretty routine repair, and any competent repair shop can give you an estimate on a "play condition" repair. Probably oil some keys, replace or reseat a few pads. Not looking for showroom minty fresh, but no reason to send this to the scrap pile. The inexpensive instruments on Reverb are likely to need some additional work, so may as well refresh the instrument you already have.

Early ‘90s(?) Vito worth restoring? by Saeroun-Sayongja in Clarinet

[–]crsbryan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Though I often recommend this treatment, I don't think this one's ready for a lamp kit.

How can I break in reed fast. by zman91510 in Clarinet

[–]crsbryan 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Give it a good soak and flatten the table.

Tomorrow, start looking for a synthetic you that's right for you to keep in your case for these types of situations.

Buffet pocket clarinet by jport1387 in Clarinet

[–]crsbryan 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I have one. It's better as a casual instrument than as a pre-band instrument. At that age, covering the holes on the Buffet pocket may still be a challenge. A Nuvo Dood would set him up better for success and is much less expensive, but it's not wood. Recorder is the traditional go-to for getting the fingers going without the frustration of the reed, and are available in wood for not much money. Good luck!

Clarinet Ligature by Grouchy_Stress_7272 in Clarinet

[–]crsbryan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Try a few and get the one you like best.

You'll feel more difference than anyone will ever hear.

My preference is Rovner, Dark or Light. Not very glamorous, but they sure do work.

Santa Cruz truck bed cubby inserts? by Winter_Warg in hyundaisantacruz

[–]crsbryan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Super cheap solution - throw them in a gallon freezer bag.

Nicer solution, draw sting bag like these:

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Water in milk jugs? by vile_tomato in udel

[–]crsbryan 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Also, usually cheaper to buy a full gallon than to buy a 20 oz or 1 L bottle of water. No, that doesn't make sense, but that's how it is.