Klarinet Archive - Posting 000124.txt from 1994/07

From: Clark W Fobes <reedman@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Two questions...
Date: Tue, 19 Jul 1994 03:12:47 -0400

On Sat, 16 Jul 1994, Andrea K Hakari wrote:

> Two questions in this mail...
>
> 1) What differences are there between the top-line Selmer and Yamaha
> low C bass clarinets? I really like the Selmer I'm playing
> now, but I notice Yamaha offers a "first-time buyers" program,
> which would help me quite a bit in being able to afford my
> very own bass.

Depending on what vintage Selmer you are now playing there may be some
very grest differences or they may be very similar.
Selmer made a huge change in their model 33 Low C bass clarinet in about
1983.The model prior to 1983 is what I use and I still believe it is the
best bass clarinet I have played in terms of facility , tone, technical
design and general tuning. Post 1983 Selmers have been highly revamped in
regard to mechanism, particularly in the extensions. When they first came
out I was very displeased with the sound and the fact that after all this
redesigning the inherent pitch problems had not been addressed. Recently
it seems that Selmer has improved the bore and the tone and pitch are
much better, In fact, this is the instrument that I would recommenf even
though I am a Buffet dealer. To see a very thorough discussion of the pre
1983 Selmer bass clarinets read my article in the "The clarinet" vol. 14
*1 and #2.
Yamaha bass clarinets are essentially designed from the pre 1983 Selmer
bass clarinets with some modifications and improvemments. I reviewed
these instruments in "The C;arinet" vol 17 #3.

P> > 2) I'm directing the St. Olaf Clarinet Choir this coming year >
(YAY!!!!!) and am always on the lookout for a) new pieces, or b) >
existing works that would lend themselves well to being >
arranged/orchestrated for clarinet choir. I have already arranged the

I was very lucky to have been an undergraduate at Fresno State College
when Russell S. Howland was still teaching there. Mr. Howland was not
only an exceptional performer and teacher he was also a woderful composer
and arranger. His arrangements of more than 50 compositions for clarinet
choir are gems. Among the compositions taht I remember playing were:

Dvorak, Serenade for Winds
Kodaly, Harry Janos suite
Ravel, Petite Suite
Rachmaninov, Vocalise
Saint Saens, Cello concerto

What was REALLY unusual was that Russ incorporated HARP into the
arrangements. He was an amateur harpist and started the Harp program at
Fresno State.

Some of these arrangements have been published, but most are languishing in
Fresno in relative obscurity. If you want more information contact Eiji
Maruko, Clarinet instructor at Fresno City College. Check information for
the number at the school. Area code 209.

Clark W Fobes