Klarinet Archive - Posting 001297.txt from 1998/03

From: C E Field <CEField@-----.com>
Subj: Re: This business of instrumental substitution
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 17:40:10 -0500

In a message dated 3/27/98 10:00:31 AM, you wrote:

<<And while I'm on a high horse, the E-flat clarinet being called
an "eefer" is creeping into our discussions more and more.
Shall be now call the B-flat clarinet a "beefer" and a D
clarinet a "deefer," etc. Dignity, ladies and gentlemen,
dignity. It is an E-flat clarinet. Anything that makes money
for us should be called by its real name, not a nickname
that sounds as if it were invented in the hills of Appalachia.>>

BRAVO! I love my Eb soprano clarinet and am annoyed whenever it is disparaged.
When I decided to purchase my first Eb, I was told the intonation of these
instruments was terrible. Yes, it can be. But I've heard some horrible things
come out of Bb clarinets, too. Embouchure and control are key. The instrument
is not to blame; the musician is.

By the way, I recently purchased and restored a C clarinet. Again, people
moaned that about the instrument's intonation problems. Guess what? The
clarinet sounds wonderful. No, it's not a Bb...and a Bb doesn't sound as nice
to some people as an A. Variety is the spice of life for this clarinetist!

So, don't believe rumors and innuendo. If you get a chance, try these
instruments for yourself. I think most people will be pleasantly surprised.

Cindy