Klarinet Archive - Posting 000600.txt from 1996/02

From: Tania Basham <btania@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Selmer Clarinets
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 1996 03:41:10 -0500

>Ronald E. Bowers wrote:
>>
>> infrequently mentioned. The Buffet R-13 certainly dominates discusions
>> on this list.
>> I play Selmer 10S "A and Bb" instruments. I am not a pro, but
>> find the intonation of my horns to be "right on" on the tuner, and that
>> they seem to have a more mellow or sweeter tone than the Buffets I am
>> able to hear. I have several mouthpieces but always come back to the
>> Selmer C85 120(opening) with a Vandoren V12 3 1/2 reed.
>> Are there any Selmer people on the list? I would appreciate any
>> general comments about the (perceived) differences between the Selmer
>> and Buffet or Leblanc.
>> I apologise in advance if this is an old subject.
>>
>> Ron Bowers
>
>Well, I am not a Selmer guy...infact I have never even played a Selmer
>clarinet. I am a LeBlanc guy though. I play a LeBlanc esprit Bb, with a
>Portnoy bpo 2 and a Vandoren V12 3 1/2 reed. I chose the feel of the LeBlanc
>over the Buffet R-13. I still have yet to play a R-13 I do like. I have
>played the Festival and Prestige models though...those are NICE. I know that
>LeBlanc makes a model (Opus) that is comparable to the Prestige. I think that
>LeBlanc makes a better clarinet mechanically, but Buffet clarinets have a
>sound that is real hard to beat. I think most mid-advanced students get the
>R-13 because that is what most other students use. I think more people should
>experiment with different brands before they buy...I did and it has paid off.
>
>John
Well we've certainly covered this subject. Personal preference for the
instrument brand we play is really what it is all about. If you like the
"feel" of on brand over another that's the one you play. For those of you
out there who are wondering which one brand to by try them all and decide
which one feels right for you.

The same applies to mouthpieces. The end result is what is heard. The
criteria should be that which gives you a consistant sound over the full
range of the instrument and provides the dynamic flexibility required in
the music you are playing.

Reeds those that are well balanced and provide response through out the
range of the instrument and are appropriate for the type of music you are
playing. Sometimes you will use different strengths depending on the type
of music or ensemble you are playing in. The same reed may or may not work
for orechestra playing or chamber music playing.

The entire journey is very personal. Each individuals physical make up
is different and what works for one might not for another.

Olympia, Washington
btania@-----.com