Klarinet Archive - Posting 000707.txt from 2002/10

From: David Naden <dnaden@-----.org>
Subj: RE: [kl] Selecting a clarinet
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 16:58:25 -0500

Rebecca--

The LeBlanc Opus and the LeBlanc Symphonie VII are essentially the same
clarinet--same bore and key specifications, etc. The only major difference
is that the Symphonie VII is made of Rosewood, and has a different sound.
The Buffet instuments that compare to the Opus are the Prestige RC or R-13
instruments.

Playing on a Vito is NO reason to go with a LeBlanc instrument. You have to
compare instruments, and there is one basic reality in your situation: You
are going to go from playing an instrument that is plastic to a
professional-level instrument that is wood.

I suggest that you think outside of the box, and purchase the instrument
that you are most comfortable with, while also considering other factors
including instrument pitch and intonation, ease of blowing, response...and
PRICE.

Based on your post, and the instruments that you are going to try, I would
also suggest that you seriously consider the Buffet R-13 above all others,
because it is in most likelihood the least expensive of the three models,
and will be your best value for the dollars spent (based on my personal
experiences with purchasing clarinets, a R-13 will cost about half of what
you will spend for a Buffet Prestige RC or R-13, LeBlanc Opus or Symphonie,
etc).

David S. Naden, MMus
Cal State University Los Angeles

-----Original Message-----
From: Rebecca Brennan [mailto:rjbrennan1221@-----.com]
Subject: RE: [kl] Selecting a clarinet

I'm going to try a Leblanc Opus, a Buffet R13, and a Leblanc Symphonie VII.
I have played an R13, and I liked it, but it took more air than most
clarinets I have played. Pretty much the only reason I want to go Lebland is

that I have played on a vito for 6 years.

It may have sounded like I insulted my vito by saying it had better
intonation than that selmer clarinet, but the vito has good intonation.

I happen to like my old plactic vito. Afterall, if it wern't for that old
plastic vito, I wouldn't be on this list right now. I would be playing
saxophone. It used to belong to my mom and we didn't have the money to buy a

saxophone when I started band, so she pretty much made me play clarinet.

-Rebecca

>From: "Gene Nibbelin" <gnibbelin@-----.com>
>Reply-To: klarinet@-----.org
>To: <klarinet@-----.org>
>Subject: RE: [kl] Selecting a clarinet
>Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 23:52:30 -0500
>
>Rebecca -
>
>If you are planning on continuing with your clarinet studies through
>college, at least as a minor, and plan to continue playing after
>college perhaps as an avocation, I suggest that you take a serious look
>at the Leblanc Concerto (with silver plated keys). If you are really
>serious about your clarinet studies, the extra investment in a fine
>professional instrument at this time will prove to be a wise move.
>
>My teacher plays a Buffet R13 and when we play duets it seems that the
>Buffet has more intonation problems than my Leblanc. I don't mean to
>say that my horn has no intonation problems, but that they are not
>troublesome. Also, I have been surprised and sometimes amused by the
>various "Buffet problems" that I see discussed here on the list.
>Granted that there area probably more R13s out there than Leblancs, but
>you seldom see any such problems with the Leblancs.
>
>I know that I have not had any of these problems. No stuffy throat
>tones, no intonation problems on "middle B, C, C#, no searching for
>barrels to correct these problems. Also, my teacher and I have
>discovered several handy alternate fingerings that are much better in
>tune and with better timbre on the Leblanc than on his Buffet.
>
>All this is just my opinion based on my experience with my Leblancs (Bb
>&
>A)
>purchased about 4 years ago after trying both Buffets and Selmers.
>
>Good luck in your search,
>
>Gene N.
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Rebecca Brennan [mailto:rjbrennan1221@-----.com]
>Sent: Sunday, October 27, 2002 6:19 PM
>To: klarinet@-----.org
>Subject: Re: [kl] Selecting a clarinet
>
>The main reason I want a new clarinet now is to raise my score at the
>all-state auditions. The auditions are January 4th, so I'm wanting to
>get a new instrument as soon as possible. I'm going to make a decision
>after November 11. That is the end of marching band. A store
>recommended I buy a LeBlanc because I play on a vito and that would not
>be too big of a jump on intonation because of this system they use. I
>plan to look into it.
>
>I want to do the woodwind brasswind try three clarinets and keep one
>deal, but I don't know what to try.
>
>I just think that now is a good time to get one because my birthday and
>christmas are coming up and I have money right now to chip in and get a
>very good clarinet.
>
>-Rebecca
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: b5w@-----.net (William Wright)
> >Reply-To: klarinet@-----.org
> >To: klarinet@-----.org
> >Subject: Re: [kl] Selecting a clarinet
> >Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 09:27:11 -0800 (PST)
> >
> > <><> Rebecca Brennan wrote:
> >I've been looking at a beautiful Selmer clarinet at a music store. It
> >has unstained wood and gold keys. They let me play it and I think it
> >was very easy for me to play. I had better intonation on my old
> >plastic vito though.
> >
> >
> >
> >Rebecca, your post catches my attention because I have just recently
> >become very disturbed by my intonation on one particular note (throat
> >Bb) of my semi-professional clarinet.
> >
> >I don't know what to blame it on, nor do I understand why I didn't
> >perceive it as a problem earlier. The only solid fact I have is that
> >my *inexpensive* *plastic* *student* horn does not appear (right now)
> >to have the problem, and the difference is so severe that I have ---
> >with some sadness --- put my wood horn aside for the moment.
> >
> >The usual advice when someone asks "Which clarinet should I buy?" is:
> >
> >"Try different instruments yourself and _listen_.
> >
> >"Since you are part of the total 'acoustic system', what works for
> >you won't work for some other people, just as the mouthpiece or reed
> >that works for you won't work for some other people.
> >
> >"Give it a month or two, visit the store several times and play the same
> >instrument more than just once or twice. Buy from someone who will
> >allow exchanges if you hear something that you don't like after the
> >first few days of intensive playing at home. That's how you should
> >decide."
> >
> >As I said above, I'm happiest right now on my $400 ($350?) plastic
> >student horn, even though I don't understand why. Perhaps you'll be
> >happier if you use the money for something else, such as music camp
> >or a prom dress.
> >
> >I find it especially alarming to hear you say that you are considering
> >an instrument whose intonation you don't enjoy (at the moment). Each
> >instrument is different, of course, and perhaps after a few weeks you
> >will adjust to the handsome wood instrument. But 'looking good' is not
> >what music is about. Looking good is icing on the musical cake, not
> >the driving force.
> >
> >Cheers,
> > Bill
> >
> >
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