Klarinet Archive - Posting 001407.txt from 1999/01

From: Jack Kissinger <kissingerjn@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: [kl] my clarinet
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 14:32:07 -0500

Dear Super Jessie (How dare you steal my daughter's nickname!?! ;^) )

Normandy clarinets are made by Leblanc. Depending on whom you talk to, they are
classified as either a wooden student model or a low-end intermediate model
clarinet. (Leblanc considers them a student model.) Many years ago, Normany was
a sub-model in the Leblanc Noblet (student/intermediate) line but for quite some
time now Leblanc has listed it separately from its Noblet models. In the past,
some list members have indicated that, for an intermediate instrument, they have
been quite pleased with how Normandies play. According to the Woodwind and
Brasswind catalog, a current Normandy (Model 4) is "Ideal for the beginning player
who is looking for a wood clarinet. Extremely free-blowing, with an exceptionally
beautiful tone quality and is built with the same exceptionally high standards as
the Leblanc professional clarinets." (I suspect a little hype in that last
statement.) Probably the reason that it is so free-blowing is the fact that it is
a relatively large-bore instrument. (If you are reading all the current messages,
you know that there is currently a thread going about large-bore instruments).
According to the Woodwind and Brasswind catalog, the current list price for a
Normandy is $975 and they sell for an actual (street) price of $510 new.

If you have the Adobe Reader installed on your computer, you can view some info
about the current model at the following address:

http://www.gleblanc.com/gleblanc/welframe.html

If your grandfather bought the instrument new, he probably added the Selmer
mouthpiece and barrel later (or perhaps he bought the instrument used and these
items had already been replaced). Quite possibly the original barrel was replaced
because it had been damaged (or had cracked) or was lost. Why a Selmer barrel
for replacement? Most likely that was the best fit the music store had in its box
of old barrels at the time.

Best regards,
Jack Kissinger
St. Louis

Suprjesie@-----.com wrote:

> hi. I am a high school clarinetist and I am trying to figure out what model
> my clarinet is. It used to be my grandfather's and is at least 20 years old,
> but still in excellent condition. My private instructor and the repairmen at
> the local music store both commented on how good it was, especially my mouth
> piece, but I want to know HOW good. It is not all of the sam ebrand. The
> mouhtpiece and barrel are Selmer. I don't know whay bore it is, but I usually
> use V12 3's and they work best. The key pieces and bell are Normandy. I have
> looked in numerous catalogs and websites and have not even found another
> Normandy clarinet. If any of you guys can help me that would be great. If
> you need any other information, just ask.
>
> thanks again,
> Jessie
>
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