Klarinet Archive - Posting 000348.txt from 1999/02

From: "Carl Schexnayder" <carlsche@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Evette Clarinets
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 22:45:40 -0500

>On Mon, 8 Feb 1999, Kevin Fay (LCA) wrote:
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).
I generally agree with most of Carl's postings - but I have also posted
the same information regarding intermediate horns as Kevin. Play on a well
sealed plastic until that time that you are ready to play on a top of the
line instrument. The inbetween models have all of the problems of the less
expensive plastics with the expense problems of the top of the line!
>
This will of course bring up the plastic v. wood thing (again).
Reply:
I also believe that the mouthpiece, barrel, ligature, reed combination is
most important and I pretty much control that even more than the clarinet
the students play. It may be only my opinion that wood sounds better but,
(up until now), I haven't heard a plastic clarinet that sounds as good.

C.S.
Actually, Kevin, it is a separate issue. While many of us feel a wood
clarinet resonates and blows with a different resistance and pressure than a
plastic horn, the issue here is if a person should be discriminated
against - even if they play a plastic as well as a person who plays a wooden
horn!
Reply:
If you read all of my posts, you will see that I haven't tried to, nor have
I actually discriminated against anyone, because I have never kept anyone
out of the top band because of it. I HAVE gone out of my way to get the
students the instruments I preferred and I have done so at no additional
cost to them and often at less cost to them.

So, if there's any discrimination involved, it's sound discrimination and I
was always under the impression that discrimination of that sort was one of
the things we are trying to teach.
C.S.
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).
I have heard that the ABS top joints on oboes are quite good and I wondered
why they couldn't make a plastic clarinet that sounded good. I have also
heard that the Greenlines are good. So, maybe the problem is with undercut
tone holes, bore sizes and other details of design and manufacture.

Furthermore, I'm not close-minded on the subject. I simply will not change
my mind until I'm proven wrong, (I don't believe in it). I have much
respect for so many on the list as well and, as soon as I hear a plastic
clarinet that sounds as good as wood, my mind will be changed. Until then,
it won't. But, the fact that I do have respect for
so many of you will cause me to do more experimenting with plastic.

C.S.
And they are quite wonderful. I only recommend the Greenlines to my
students now.
___
>Roger Garrett
>Professor of Clarinet
>Director - Concert Band, Symphonic Winds & Titan Band
>Advisor - Recording Studio
>Illinois Wesleyan University
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