Klarinet Archive - Posting 000012.txt from 2001/10

From: "Tony Wakefield" <tony-wakefield@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Buffet Festival Green Line
Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 17:54:11 -0400

Hello Tom,

You seem to have a slightly strange attitude in your views of
wood. The Peter Eaton`s are popular instruments, yet you wish to exchange
yours for a Green Line, because you question the quality of present day
wood, and it`s roughness, believing this to possibly detrimentally affect
your tone?
I would say that all wood in top of the range instruments is not bad, but
yes, bores are
a little rough compared to the outer surfaces.
My old teacher used to spend hours polishing the inside of his
instruments, and he had 6 including a bass. He swore in his belief that the
air moves thru` more easily thus improving and sweetening tone. So that
aspect wouldn`t, or
shouldn`t be a problem for you, :<) with only one(?).
However, you have chosen to abandon wood in favour of the Green Lines.
I believe these instruments will become the norm in years to come. They do
blow very well already. I know of a British international soloist who has
become attached at present to the Green Line instrument, as is using it in
his recital work.
But I cannot quite understand your logic in wanting to convert just because
of how you view wood, and what lies inside it`s bores. I would reckon that
the inside of a Green Line clarinet is not all that much smoother than a new
top of the range wood instrument. And it probably would not polish up any
more smoother that a wood instr.
But you seem to have made your choice, when in fact there might not be as
much substance in your theories as what you would wish there to be. Peter
Eaton instr. as I`ve said are very popular. You say that you like it
yourself. Cracking of course is another matter, but with care, most top of
the range instu. don`t.

If you are really set on changing, which I have to say after reading thru`
your piece, I don`t think is necessary, then of course you are free to do
so.

I sadly cannot advise you tho` as to which instrument of the two you are
trying, to go for, other than probably what most would advise, (which is
almost common sense), and that is the instr. which blows the most freely and
has the best intonation. A stuffy note is something one can adjust as part
of the purchase deal, in the workshop, and the question of tone is very much
part of your on-going development in practising, after the purchase, and not
quite so much to consider as an essential initial ingredient.

Welcome to Klarinet.

Best Wishes,

Tony W.

----- Original Message -----
From: <Tom.Henson@-----.com>
Subject: [kl] Buffet Festival Green Line

> Hello,
>
> I'm new to this list, but have been actively searching through the
archives concerning a clarinet purchase I am about to make. Etc etc

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