Klarinet Archive - Posting 000352.txt from 1998/12
From: "Carl Schexnayder" <carlsche@-----.net> Subj: Re: [kl] A question of Clarinet Preference Date: Mon, 7 Dec 1998 00:56:58 -0500
Response
Hi,
There are many fine clarinets these days, (many more than there used to be).
But I guess the R-13 has been considered by many to be the standard
symphonic American clarinet, (even though it's not made in America). Lately
that image has been challenged more and more by instruments like the LeBlanc
Opus and Concerto, the Yamaha Customs and the Selmer Recitalist,
(visit http://www.selmer.com/htdox/ridenour.htm to read what Tom Ridenour
has to say about the Selmer), and all of this from a person who had a hand
in the design of the LeBlanc Opus.
Even aside from those listed, there are instruments like the Patricola,
Rossi, Howarth, Peter Eaton, Bay, and I'm sure others that I'm not aware of
that are fine instruments. One big problem is to have the opportunity to
play on all of these for purposes of comparison. I suppose the easy way out
is just to require that your students play an R-13, but I tend to wish that
directors didn't do that because it limits options and must be discouraging
to anyone who wants to try to design a better instrument, knowing full well
that very many students and professionals may opt not to try it because it's
not an R-13.
As a high school band director, I fully understand why band directors try to
have everyone in the section play the same make and model instrument as well
as the same mouthpiece, reed, ligature combination. It's because different
brands have different idiosynchroncies, different pitch tendencies, tonal
qualities, etc. and you want your section to be homogenous, to sound as one.
If you attend any honor bands, clinics, or conventions, bring your
mouthpiece with you to the exhibits and try to play as many different brands
of professional quality instruments as possible. If you live in or near a
large city, you may be able to find a music store that carries several
different brands that you can try. If you don't, you may want to locate
such a store and make a special trip to try clarinets. But, if you know
where you're going to college, you may want to find out what the clarinet
teacher or band director considers acceptable.
Good Luck,
Carl Schexnayder
>Hi All,
> I am a high school clarinetist(9th grade), but I think( and hope!) I
>am an above average player for my age. I am seriosly thinking of
>getting a degree of music in college. I would either do music education
>and do performance stuff on the side, or I would be a performance major.
>At the present time I own a Leblanc Esprit B flat clarinet( I got in the
>7th grade.) My head band director prefers all his honors band clariet
>players to play on Buffets.(any model, but he prefers R-13's.) I
>recently moved to my new high school(from a different city) and he is
>going to put me in the Honors Band next semester.( FINALLY!) When I am a
>Junior, or a Senior I am going to look into purchasing a clarinet that I
>can play through college as a music major, and later on when I
>graduate.) I had considered an R-13 of my own, the Buffet Festival, the
>Leblanc Opus,Infinite,Concerto etc.... I was wondering what kind, model,
>and brand is generally preferenced among most players.( I realize that
>every one has their own opinions, I am just curious.)
>
> Thanks in Advance, John( the Buffet he gave me to use is an R-13,
>an old one, but it has great tone & response)
>
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