Klarinet Archive - Posting 000458.txt from 1997/09

From: Dennis Nord <nordden@-----.com>
Subj: Blowing Resistance
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 16:06:28 -0400

Roger Garrett mentioned something I don't recall seeing discussed, at
least not recently -- ". . .I mean ease of blowing, quality of
resistance, . . ."

In selecting a quality instrument, what should one look for in terms of
resistance and ease of blowing assuming the setup is OK (mouthpiece,
reed, ligature).

The reason for asking is that I've had 40 years of "buyer's remorse."
When my teacher helped me select a new clarinet when I was 12 years old
(1957), we had three to choose from, Emil Lyon, France (nobody's ever
heard of them.) We quickly eliminated #3. I liked #2 because it played
easiest. My teacher said, "Take #1. You need a little resistance to
work against."

To this day I think that choice was a mistake. Altho the instrument has
wonderful tone, it has never had sufficient volume or projection.

So, what's it feel like to play a top-of-the-line clarinet?
free-blowing, or is it work? How does one chose?

Dennis Nord
nordden@-----.com

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org