Klarinet Archive - Posting 000286.txt from 2001/05

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] buffet clarinets
Date: Thu, 10 May 2001 17:35:05 -0400

Dear Gene,

I also happen to take your rather conservative view. When I went through Klose
and Langinous (sp?), I also learned the tricks to get me by. Yes, the option of
a left hand Eb/Ab (or G#/D#) can come in handy. I have this key on my Selmer
bass to low C. It takes a concerted effort to remember it is there and use it
in passages where nothing else will work. We're all creatures of habits, and
mine are deeply ingrained, going back about forty, going on fifty years.

Contrary to that thinking, I also play bassoon and have become quite adapt at
using a multitude of fingerings for some notes and/or some passages where a
whole family of related sets of alternate fingerings become necessary for a
musical passage. Go figure.

The trend seems to be to have this piece of key work. Most makers of premium
grade clarinets are using it on their flagship models. Younger generations will
take it is stride, get use to it and wonder how in the hell us old farts
survived without it.

Gene Nibbelin wrote:

> Ragnhild --
>
> You might pose the question to the professionals on the list: How many have
> had this key removed after trying to get used to it as being more trouble
> than it was worth?
>
> In addition to the cost factor, I was influenced by the fact that the
> Principal Clarinetist of the Southwest Florida Symphony had removed this key
> from his horns for this reason, when I purchased a pair of Leblanc Concertos
> a couple years ago.
>
> I am a retiree and not a professional and play and study for my own
> amusement and occasionally amazement. Naturally, I have encountered a few
> places in my studies (advanced) when the extra Eb/Ab key would be handy but
> hardly essential. I believe that any problems that are solved by the "key"
> can also be easily solved by the judicious use of the slide that all less
> wealthy clarinetists use. (I know that there will be a learned professional
> or two on the list who can relate some "impossible" note combinations that
> can only be played using the Eb/Ab key. God only knows what happens in some
> of the very modern music.)
>
> Just a thought and question before you spend your money.
>
> Best of luck,
>
> Gene Nibbelin
> Cape Coral, Florida
> USA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ragnhild [mailto:rkbrek99@-----.no]
> Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2001 4:11 PM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: Re: [kl] buffet clarinets
>
> Hello!
> Thanks for answering my questions, I eally appreciate it! I am concidering
> buying a Prestige model maybe next year, but there is, as you said, the
> price tag.. it costs a lot of money! (which I don't ecaxtly have..) I would
> really like to have the extra Eb-key, which I feel I almost miss now, have
> needed it some times! I guess it'll take some work getting i "into" your
> fingers, but i'd think it'd be worth it.
> Thans again,
> Ragnhild
>
> At 03:52 PM 5/10/01 EDT, you wrote:
> >Ragnhild,
> >
> >I'm playing on RC Prestige clarinets and love them! The extra Eb/Ab
> alternate
> >key is great. The prestige wood is stronger and more dense, since it is cut
> >out of a more select, older, longer seasoned wood. The wood makes the sound
> >more present/more intense (not necessarily more bright or more dark, etc.),
> >and the wood is less likely to crack. It does have a price tag though. It's
> >about $800 US more than the regular R13 or RC counterpart. I personnaly
> think
> >it is worth it. Try a new RC up to a new Prestige RC and see if you don't
> feel
> >the difference in playing quality.
> >
> >Here's some info about the other Buffet clarinets you asked about.
> >
> >The R13 is a professional level instrument, made in France, which comes in
> a
> >regular model and a prestige model like the RC. The R13 has a
> polycylindrical
> >bore that is smaller than the RC. The R13 is very popular in the United
> >States, but is less popular in other parts of the world. The R13 is closer
> to
> >the "Festival" model than the RC, if you have the "Festival" model
> available.
> >
> >
> >The B12 is a plastic/resin clarinet for beginners. It is made in Germany,
> not
> >in France. It has undercut tone holes, and nice keywork, but I am not
> >impressed by the sound and ease of playing for a student. It is more
> expensive
> >than it's beginner equivalent counterparts in LeBlanc, Yamaha, and Selmer
> >(over $100 difference in some cases.)
> >
> >Ragnhild <rkbrek99@-----.no> wrote:
> >> Hi!
> >>
> >> In this discussion on which clarinet brands and models to choose for
> >> beginners and in a discussion on another clarinet list I'm on, I've heard
> >> mentioned a couple Buffet models i've never heard of before .. ignorant
> >> little me..lol So I was wondering if someone might be able to enlighten
> me
> >> a bit on the Buffet R-13 and B-12 (i think that was it..) models. The
> >> Buffet models I had heard of are E-111, E-113, RC and RC Prestige (and
> >> maybe one even "higher"?) I have a Buffet RC myself, which I am very
> happy
> >> with, thinking of getting a Prestige model some time soon. Any input on
> >> that as well, while "I'm at it"? Thanks!
> >>
> >> Ragnhild
> >
> >Get free email and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1
> >
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> >
>
> Hi,
> Please go to http://www.adsenger.com/default.asp?ref=rkbrekke to check out
> a neat, easy way to earn some extra money
> ***************
>
> please visit my X-Files site at http://www.geocities.com/rkbrekke
>
> Ragnhild Kristine Brekke
>
> e-mail: rkbrek99@-----.com
> homepage: welcome.to/ragnhild
> phone: 91762095
>
> *Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others;
> Responsibility for all your actions
>
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