Klarinet Archive - Posting 000023.txt from 2000/03

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] New Eb Clarinet?
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2000 11:31:31 -0500

----- Original Message -----
From: <JMarioneau@-----.com>
Subject: Re: [kl] New Eb Clarinet?

> Dee,
> I ddi not mean to put down a Bundy. You must have gotten a great
> instrument. I was meaning that they should get the best quality and not
some
> el-cheapo. I have not used a 5RV. Maybe I should try to see if i can
borrow
> one and check it out. Also, thanks for all your posts. You give great
> information.
> James Marioneaux
>

Don't worry, I didn't take it as a put down. For a college setting the
Selmer Bundy really wouldn't be an appropriate choice. I couldn't tell you
if mine is a unique specimen or not as it's the only one I've played. I
included the example merely to show the types of things that needed to be
considered in purchasing an Eb and what additional purchases might be needed
besides the instrument itself. I also wanted to illustrate that a person
can't just pick up an Eb and expect to immediately play it as well as the Bb
that they are accustomed to. They must learn to play it in tune with good
tone.

Just to elaborate a bit more, with the stock Bundy mouthpiece, it played 50
cents sharp (for me) on my tuner in the clarion range. That might have
worked OK for a kid with an undeveloped embouchure but certainly is *not*
suitable for someone who is a more developed player. The 5RV brought it
right down to proper pitch (for me, your mileage may vary) but then I had to
work on the pitch in the altissimo. While I've now gotten up to pitch, I
still have a bit of work to do on the tone in the altissimo.

But boy am I having fun! I truly love it and certainly feel I've gotten my
money's worth out of the purchase (though of course I'd like a higher grade
instrument someday).

Dee Hays
Canton, SD

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