The fifth review of woodwind equipment contains a list of accessories that can be of tremendous value to any woodwind doubler and/or single-reed specialist. As stated in previous equipment review articles, I am not a paid endorsee of any of the companies whose products that I recommend. The products are listed below alphabetically.
Clarinet Acoustic Spacers
https://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/product-page/clarinet-acoustic-spacers-tuning-rings
Any serious clarinetist knows that the clarinet is a very imperfect instrument. Compared to many other instruments, there has been a minimal amount of change in the construction of the Boehm system clarinet since its appearance in the 19th Century. One of those imperfections has to do with its 5-part construction. Clarinet manufacturers leave a slight space between the two center joints when they’re joined together to allow for the wood to expand. However, this creates an acoustical deficiency which can be remedied by acoustical spacers placed in the top half of the lower joint to eliminate that space. The difference in resonance is a game-changer! It can also remedy some pitch problems inherent in most clarinets. (i.e. the low “A” being sharp, etc.) I was first introduced to the concept of acoustical spacers by the great repair technician, Tomoji Hirakata (Yamaha), who told me that Michael Wayne (former member of BSO) has been using them for years and has his students at the Eastman School use them as well. I shared this information with Brad Behn several years ago and he has now come up with a wonderful product that goes a step further. He offers acoustical spacers made of PLA material (polylactic acid, an eco-friendly filament used in 3D printing) in three different thicknesses—1.0mm, 1.5mm. and 2.0mm. In addition, he has created an additional set of rings for the upper joint to match the thicknesses of those inner joint spacers. They are to be put at the bottom of the upper joint, just above the cork line, after the lower joint spacer is added. Therefore, the cork that would normally be visible between joints cannot be seen. And guess what? Those upper tenon rings also make a favorable difference in the resonance of the horn! All the spacers (rings) come in black or other colors, if desired. Each order comes with a set of six rings—three for each tenon in the thicknesses stated above. At $25 for a complete set, you will find the improvements in resonance and pitch startling.
Just Joe’s Sax Gel Strap
https://justjoessaxgelstrap.com
This traditional style sax strap for soprano/alto/tenor saxophones is different than any other strap I have experienced. Made of premium-grade soft leather with viscoelastic polymer infused (an extremely soft, durable product), one can custom build this saxophone strap to one’s desires. There are 4 hook options available—nylon fiber plastic, 24K plated, unfinished brass, or hard thermoplastic coated metal. In addition, there is a black aluminum-grade slider which allows for great ease in maneuvering the strap. (One can add a wide enhance bar for an extra $10.) The player can choose his/her own color for the strap along with a desirable length. The basic gel strap is priced at $99.
This strap was created by Joe Rohrbacher, the owner of Just Joe’s Music in Bend, Oregon. A saxophone player himself who suffered from a neck injury that made playing the saxophone difficult, Joe devised a strap that can benefit every saxophone player. I have used this strap exclusively for the last year and have no complaints. It is by far the most comfortable strap I own. While I have also recommended several non-traditional sax straps in previous equipment columns, I still prefer the old-fashioned approach to supporting and balancing the saxophone since it gives me the greatest flexibility in adjusting the angle of the mouthpiece to my mouth along with the ability to move the mouthpiece within the mouth during playing while maintaining the optimum angle for resonance. The combination of materials with the ability to customize the strap makes this product a must item for saxophonists. Try it, you’ll like it!
K&M Alto and Tenor Saxophone Stands
https://www.k-m.de/en/products/stands-and-accessories-for-instruments/wind-instruments
König & Meyer is a German music company that has been in business since 1949. They manufacture a wide variety of music accessories including music stands, instrument stands, speaker stands, drum thrones, stools and benches, etc. They have created a unique assortment of saxophone stands that are very well thought out. I have been particularly impressed by and use their “Saxxy” stands for the alto and tenor saxophones—#14340 & #14350. These are adjustable folding stands made of black steel that weigh roughly 1 pd (asx) and 1.3pds (tsx). They are easily transportable in the velour bags made for them and these bags fit into the bell of an alto or tenor saxophone. The alto sax stand is just under 12” in height; the tenor sax stand is 16” high. They are equipped with adjustable rubber rings so that the saxophone touches only rubber and no keys are pressed against the stand. The stand is supported on the floor by a tripod of 3 steel rods while 2 additional steel rods provide support for the bell of the horn when it is sitting on the stand. Finally, the adjustable aspect of these stands allows for any make of saxophone to work with them. These stands make use of gravity in securing the horns.
This is a state-of-the-art product as one would expect from K&M. They have 10 employees whose sole responsibility it is to create these stands and measure how effective the stands are with a variety of instruments. These stands can be purchased for $70 (asx) and $84 (tsx) from any number of U.S. distributors.
Open-Hole Flute Plugs
https://www.fluteworld.com/product/plug-set-medium-silicone-rubber/
The French model flutes are equipped with 5 open-hole keys. They require a certain degree of exactness when the fingers depress those keys and have been the most popular choice of professionals for well over a century. While initially closing the open holes with silicone rubber plugs has long been used by teachers when helping novice players adjust to the open hole system, they have also been used by older players who have encountered hand problems and no longer have the finger accuracy with which they were accustomed. These plugs can also be especially helpful to players of any level who have smaller hands and play in-line key flutes-they alleviate the stretch of the left-hand 4th finger. While the old axiom still exists that the flute sounds better with open holes, I have found that is not necessarily the case. There is virtually no change in the resultant tone when these plugs are employed in any combination of the 5 open holes. The only situations that will necessitate the use of open holes are when a player encounters music that requires pitch deviations, glissandos, or alternate fingerings, where half-holing might be necessary. Therefore, considering most of the music one is likely to encounter, it makes sense to purchase a set of 5 silicone rubber plugs. At a price of a little more than $3, it couldn’t hurt and it just might make playing that much easier and enjoyable.