Klarinet Archive - Posting 000122.txt from 1997/10

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Leblanc
Date: Sat, 4 Oct 1997 22:49:46 -0400

On Sat, 4 Oct 1997, Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu wrote:

> Roger, I found that your note contained several things that I
> did not understand. It would be helpful if you would expand
> on some of these points.
> What is the Leblanc "sound" of which you speak? Can you give me
> some of its characteristics? What do the manufacturers do to
> the instrument that create this identifiable sound?

The words "Leblanc Sound" should have been put in quotations...for the
reason that, during the 1950's, '60's to the late '70's, many Leblanc reps
discussed the characteristic sound that Leblancs provided - that is,
compared to the other two big lines of pro horns, Buffet and Selmer.
While Buffet had it's characteristic sound, the Leblanc was viewed as a
smaller, more compact, and more focused sound - when played by the same
person on the same set-up (mouthpiece, reed, ligature). One of the
Leblanc reps, who was also a superb clarinetist, teacher, wind conductor,
was Robert Vagner - University of Oregon. It is unfortunate that he
passed away several years ago, but he used to hold clinics for which he
would demonstrate the difference between the sounds of the top of the line
Buffets and Leblancs. My comment to the listserv was that, in my opinion,
there are characteristics of that sound still inherent in the new Opus and
Concerto instruments.

> What kind of resistance does one look for in a clarinet? Is it
> possible that what you meant here is that the particular Leblanc
> clarinets on which you played happened to have the kind of
> resistance that YOU look for in a clarinet?
> I don't know what kind of resistance is
> unversially accepted as the sort that one looks for.

I said "one often looks for".......that could mean me, or it could mean
others. We are all looking for different things. Still, many people look
for a specific feel/resistance to blow against.....and many of us who try
horns like these frequently know what the other person refers to when they
say resistance. I don't know if I can state it any way that might clarify
the point further, perhaps someone else can try? My intent was not to
muddle or confuse - apologies for the lack of clarity.

> As for the note to which you were responding (from Andrew Goret),
> that also puzzled me, but that has nothing to do with what you
> wrote. You were trying to be responsive to his comments and
> I congratulate you for having done so. However, what you wrote
> left me unclear as to what I would do if I were Andrew. It's
> a sort of vanilla answer.

Sorry.....I like vanilla though! :)

> It sounds to me (and I'm being very superficial here because all
> I have is your statement) is that you own and enjoy playing
> a Buffet and that has biased you against anything that is not
> a Buffet. Did I misunderstand? On the other hand, if you
> have objective evidence that suggests that Buffet is measureably
> a better clarinet that any other, and for all performers, I for
> one would enjoy seeing that evidence.

I was providing an opinion of how I feel about the performance of three of
the Leblanc clarinets that were mentioned. I thought the question was
one that was asking for an opinion. "Can anyone comment on the new
Leblanc instruments?" I believe was the question. I answered with comments
based on my playing of the instruments...that is all. I have no specific
evidence........you might want to ask Jonathon Cohler for evidence....he
usually has some!

Roger Garrett