Metal Clarinet Volume

[nice sax]

i play alto sax in a big band and on occasions have to play clarinet. In general I find it very hard to match the volume of the saxes in the section.

Can anyone advise me whether a metal clarinet would give me more volume and project better.

[Buenchico]

I haven't got a clue as to what any of this means but it looks like it might be relevant, so I'll offer it to you anyway:
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/archive/index.php/t-13273.html

[Jackdaw33]

Congratulations on being able to play both instruments. My orchestral knowledge is very limited, but I believe metal instruments can create a lot more noise than wooden ones. Never heard of a metal clarinet, though.

[gingejbee]

I hadn't heard of them either...but apparently lots were made in the first half of the 20th Century.

[Jackdaw33]

The instrument which has always fascinated me is the trombone. It seems to have no keys and no markings, relying solely on the slide, which I would assume would require perfect pitch on behalf of the player. Perhaps a trombone player might enlighten me further.

[The Builder]

Since you're going to struggle to find a metal clarinet, maybe try just a metal mouthpiece. Occasionally, I play a soprano sax with an ebonite mouthpiece. Certainly loud enough, but I did try a metal mouthpiece on it and the volume almost doubled.

I always use a metal Otto Link on the tenor, but it's far too shrill for a soprano. It may be just what you need for the clarinet.

[johnny37]

You must know more than I do about this but I think I have seen instruments with a microphone attached to the open end.

[saxy_jag]

Whatever clarinet you play, it's only ever going to have limited volume. The MD needs to get the saxes to quieten down a little if he/she wants you to be heard clearly.