Klarinet Archive - Posting 000571.txt from 1999/06

From: David Blumberg <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] 10 G-big sound
Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 07:38:32 -0400

<theshaws@-----.net>
Subject: CHoosing a new instrument
Message-ID: <37698DAA.37100E27@-----.net>
Since the subject of good and bad clarinets has come up, it seems
that a discussion of how to pick a new clarinet may be in order. My
buffet R-13 is about five years old, and I have been told by my teacher
that it is not a good one. The reasons are pitch related, but I seem to
be able play in tune as well as anyone ( in this area, anyway!) The
tone of the instrument I think is quite beautiful and its response is
quite good. I also own a Selmer10G and think that it is also a fairly
good horn, with a good tone, but I changed because I could not get a big
enough sound on it.
Would anyone care to share criteria that you use when choosing a
new instrument, either for yourself or a student. I think that it would
be helpful to those of us who are less experienced.
Thanks, Deborah

--------------------------------------

Deborah, one thing the 10 G's almost never get accused of is having a small
sound. Tony Gigliotti's sound is HUGE. The first time I played next to him
in Orchestra, I was amazed! (I didn't realize in lessons just how big his
sound was, had to be in Orchestra to experience it). What do you think is
the cause of your 10 G making you work harder to get a large tone? When I
choose an instrument for myself or a student, I look at the grain of the
wood for evenness, and the bore for undercutting evenness. Play testing, I
look for an even blowing instrument in every range. That is sometimes
difficult, as the instrument can have leaks that make it hard to determine
if it is the Clarinet, or the leak. Overall tone, and intonation (using a
tuner) are also critical. It can be mind boggling at times. Fred Weiner
told me that even the best have gotten up - and walked out - to clear their
head.

David Blumberg
playit@-----.com
Have you heard? http://www.mytempo.com

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