Klarinet Archive - Posting 000638.txt from 1997/01

From: Luuk van Buul <vanbuul@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Plastik clarinet--which?
Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 11:11:29 -0500

On Jan 28 Joie Canada wrote:
>
> Some schools which do a lot of marching work in heat, cold rain snow wind etc
> use plastic clarinets as a matter of course. Even the players who have wood
> instruments use the plastic on the field. They are less likely to be injured
> by nasty weather. Otherwise, teachers can help select new or used wooden
> instrument rather than plastic one.

Why don't teachers help with selecting a non-wood instrument?

> The prob with many plastic ones is upper
> register not as finely tuned as wood

This is not generally true. I have examples of the opposite.

> since --sorry to say-- most marching
> bands not well in tune when clarinets get high notes

Can't this be caused by the marching itself? Or the capabilities of the players?

> so marching pieces write
> lower

This is also not generally true. I have examples of the opposite. We play a
march 'Liberation' (don't remember the composer) with the first, second and
third clarinet parts between G2 and G3. Other examples: 'El Gato Montes'; 'On
the Quarter Deck' and solo and first part of many Souza marches.

> and many beginning students don't play high notes for some time anyway.
> If you plan to spend time learning the instrument, your teacher's advice
> should be sought. Good used instruments are out there and affordable. You
> can also rent at first to try out different kinds at many music stores.
>

I second this.

> Good luck
>
> If you are serious, get the best you can afford and you will get better sound
> and intonation easier

This is, again, not generally true. There are many examples of expensive
instruments with major problems or the opposite. What's more, don't forget the
mouthpiece which determines sound and intonation for a large amount.

>
> Joie
>

Luuk van Buul
--
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Philips Research Waalre Philips Optoelectronics
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