Klarinet Archive - Posting 000341.txt from 1999/02

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Evette Clarinets
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 19:52:29 -0500

I'm a little mystified. Is playing on an intermediate wood horn really that
much better than a student model plastic horn? Having played lots of both,
I don't think so.

My analysis is like this. The embouchure/reed/mouthpiece is the tone
generator--like an electric guitar. The clarinet is just the amplifier.
One is far more important than the other. I would rather play Capriccio
Espanol on a Bundy with my Greg Smith mouthpiece and a good Zonda than use
an R-13 and some stock mouthpiece.

I've played on bunches of student horns. Sure, artist-level
Buffets/Selmers/Leblancs are "better"--but primarily in terms of even
resistance and intonation. If the pads on the student horn seal, though,
you can get a pretty good sound on it. I don't think a Noblet will have any
more even resistance, and the intonation won't be any better. IMHO, a much
better use for the money would be to go out and buy a really good
mouthpiece. In fact, my opinion is the exact opposite of Carl's--I truly
believe that, at least until recently when the artist-level horns have
gotten so expensive, buying ANY intermediate horn is a waste of money. They
don't play any better n tune than the plastic ones, and just don't sound
better. Save the cash for the R-13 when you get to it (or any other, more
expensive level artist horn if that is your preference).

This will of course bring up the plastic v. wood thing (again). My vote has
been with the considerable number of oboe players (including my wife) who
have paid MORE to get an ABS top joint on their Loree. No cracks, same
sound. Oh how I wish Buffet would make an artist level plastic horn! (Yes,
I know about the Greenlines--they're heavy I may buy one anyway).

D. Stanley Hasty had a proverb (I'm paraphrasing here) that the farther the
equipment is from your brain, the less important it is. A diagram:

Brain @-----.

Mouth (embouchure) @-----. Not as imp't as the brain, though--if
you don't "hear it in your head", it won't ever come out of your horn.

Reeds & mouthpieces @-----.

Clarinet @-----.

kjf
-----Original Message-----
From: MD [mailto:syo@-----.com]
Subject: Re: [kl] Evette Clarinets

<< If none of that works, they can play

their plastic clarinet in the second band, but it has hardly ever come to

that.>>

Just add my name to the list of naysayers on this statement. I have tried
the Buffet student model and the keywork and tone are quite similar to
the feel of my R-13. I reccomend my beginner students play on this
instrument if they can afford it (It costs approx. $100-$150CDN more) It
is hard enough to maintain interest in music in high school students
without discouraging them because they cannot afford a particular model
of instrument.

Mike Dowler
BMUS 2 Clarinet
UBC School of Music

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