Klarinet Archive - Posting 000807.txt from 2002/05
From: "Forest E. Aten Jr." <forestaten@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] selmer intonation
Date: Thu, 30 May 2002 19:04:13 -0400
Sean,
I have not played the Signature line of clarinet by Selmer and so have no
opinion. I do have experience with Selmer clarinets and have a clear
understanding of why Buffet developed into the clarinet manufacturer of
choice for most of the professional clarinet performers in North America
during the second half of the last century.
My brief reference to Selmer was related to a post describing problems
typical of the 10G model. I know these intonation problems well, as I owned
a 10G at one time. I also own a 9 N series and a 9*. (history) All with
severe intonation problems compared to more contemporary instruments. These
intonation problems were/are typical of these models and are the result of
choices/compromises by Selmer's acoustical and engineering staff at the time
of development. While Selmer made these choices (history)....Buffet was
making other choices; better choices, especially if you look at both the
market place and to the overwhelming domination Buffet has with numbers of
top orchestral and teaching professionals in North America. Things change
and perhaps the current line of professional instruments offered by Selmer
have greatly improved intonation. Competition is good for everyone.
I will say that your statement that the 12th are "perfect" is suspect. Are
you saying that Selmer has found the "perfect" compromise? You have no
intonation issues with your Selmer clarinets? (you mention "working on tone
holes") Can anyone buy a Selmer clarinet that plays as well (in-tune) as
yours? Or do you have your clarinets adjusted by Selmer's top bench
techs...or perhaps whoever you had work on your clarinets while you were in
NY? and what did you mean when you said, "when I work and a tone hole, it
stays well in tune"?
You say, "superior sound and projection"........superior to what? And what
exactly is "superior sound"? I suspect that the "superior sound" you talk
about is the sound you prefer....and I have no doubt that this is a great
clarinet sound. It may not be the sound preferred by many other players.
Perhaps many of us prefer the sound Buffet clarinets produce. While I have
not had the opportunity nor the pleasure of hearing you perform (exception;
opera on the radio), I know that you have been very successful and I know
that you are in a very elite category of clarinet performers in the world
today.
I'll go play some contemporary Selmer clarinets and see how I like them.
(you pitched this like a true artist rep ;-)
By the way.....what brand and model of clarinet did you play in the Met???
and why???
Regards,
Forest Aten
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sean Osborn" <feanor33@-----.com>
Subject: [kl] selmer intonation
> Forest and everyone else,
>
> >Selmer's manufacturing standard has always been excellent but the one
area
> >that they have suffered in building clarinets has been intonation.
>
> Now wait just a cotten-pickin' minute here!
>
> I cannot speak to the history of Selmer clarinets over the lifetime of
> their company, but I can speak to the last few years, and I have to say
> you're DEAD WRONG.
>
> I play Selmer Signature clarinets, and one of the reasons I switched from
> quite excellent Buffet Festival clarinets was because of the superior
> intonation. The new design of the Signature clarinet is, I believe, the
> most significant advancement in clarinet design in the last 100 years.
The
> tone holes are longer, chimneys raised, and they are NOT undercut.
> Consequently, every 12th is perfectly in tune. Gone are the days of having
> to play flat in one register and sharp in another (such as many r-13s do
> between a flat F and a sharp high C).
> That alone is reason to give them a try, but the superior sound and
> projection are what drew me to them in the first place.
>
> Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I'm sorry you have only known
> out of tune Selmer clarinets, but I could not let such a statement pass
> unaddressed.
>
> I urge you all to try a Signature whenever you get the chance. Like all
> clarinets, the quality of sound varies from instrument to instrument, and
> you need several to choose from to find one you like. However, when I
> tried the 15 from which I chose my set, the intonation on all of them was
> rock solid. I adjust far less than I ever have in my life, and if I work
> on a tone hole, it stays well in tune.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Sean Osborn, clarinetist, Metropolitan Opera - retired.
>
> http://www.geocities.com/osbornmusic/
> http://www.mp3.com/metopera/
>
>
>
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>
>
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