Klarinet Archive - Posting 000964.txt from 1998/10

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] R-13s
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 1998 09:29:54 -0400

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Pay <Tony@-----.uk>
Date: Thursday, October 22, 1998 8:10 AM
Subject: Re: [kl] R-13s

>On Thu, 22 Oct 1998 07:11:01 -0500, deehays@-----.com said:
>
>> > On Wed, 21 Oct 1998, Dee D. Hays wrote:
>> >
>> > > The degree of resistance does not necessarily define that a horn
>> > > is a pro instrument.
>> >
>> > Kevin never said it was how much resistance that defines (or is a
>> > defining factor) the R13 as a pro stick - it was the EVENESS of
>> > resistance throughout all registers.
>>
>> Since my original statement was that it had too much resistance for
>> this particular player, his statement implied that higher resistance
>> was necessary to achieve that evenness. Also she has more trouble in
>> the upper register indicating that at least the particular horn (and
>> it is an R-13) isn't all that even throughout the registers.
>
>Erm... What are you talking about, guys?
>

Well it all started when someone asked why only about 20% of the Buffet
R-13's were really good (i.e. why people tried 20 or 30 horns to find 5 or
so that they liked). One of the thoughts that I offered for consideration
was that perhaps the player was looking for a characteristic that was not
normally inherent in that particular design and perhaps should try other
brands (same comment would apply to the people that try 20 or 30 in other
brands without satisfaction, i.e. they ought also to try the R-13). I then
used an example of a woman that I know who has asthma and plays an R-13
clarinet, her wind totally gives out in 1/2 hour of playing especially in
the upper clarion and altissimo. I gave my opinion that a better choice for
her would have been something with less resistance (more free blowing) even
if that meant a different brand or dropping into an intermediate or even
beginner level instrument.

Then Kevin offered the comment that the higher resistance eventually lead to
better development of the player's breath support and thus eventually better
tone. He also commented that the R-13 had more equal resistance throughout
the registers. The phrasing of the comments implied that high resistance
was necessary for a professional level horn and implied that it led to the
more equal resistance across the registers. Although I don't agree with
this, each of us certainly has a right to their own opinion.

Just to recap:
1. Original questioner asked why only a fraction of R-13's were really good
(i.e. people had to try 20 or 30 to find one they liked).
2. One of my thoughts was that they were looking for something not inherent
to the design and ought to at least try other brands and models (just as
players of other models also ought to try R-13s). I also offered other
possibilities but they are not germaine to this particular discussion
thread.

Dee Hays
Canton, SD

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