Klarinet Archive - Posting 000642.txt from 2004/01

From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Selmer Brevete
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2004 09:39:59 -0500

Erik Tkal wrote:

> Dan,
>
> Yes, it is in fact the full Boehm, and it does have the three rings
> on the upper joint. My g/f and I were wondering what the extra trill
> was that that gives you, thanks, will have to try it. It does play
> well, I've only tried it a little, and it could probably use new pads
> and some cleaning. It also has the extra key for the left pinky
> articulated Ab/Eb, which will get some getting used to I guess. It
> does not have a low Eb that I can tell, though, it only has the usual
> 4 right pinky keys.
>
> What really threw me was that it really looks like a Buffet - the log
> is exactly like Buffet's, the gold oval with the lyre on top, except
> that is says H. SELMER A PARIS inside, with a script overlaid HS
> underneath (instead of the Buffet Crampon BC). The serial number
> shows the horn to be about 1930, is that the old Selmer logo? Why is
> it almost exactly the same as Buffet? Was there something in common
> between the companies then?
>
> Erik
>
As far as I know there was never a business relationship between the two
copanies at any time.

If the instrument were in B-flat, it is almost certain that it would a
low E-flat. One of the most important purposes of the full-Boehm was to
allow a player to have only one clarinet, and the low E-flat was
necessary to play the equivalent low note of an A instrument. The Peter
and the Wolf music was originally written for a full-Boehm B-flat
clarinet and the low E-flat allowed the famous solo to be played. Today
one plays that solo on the A because of the need for the equivalent of a
low E-flat on the B-flat instrument but I find the solo much more
difficult on the A.

The reasons why your full Boehm does not have a low E-flat is because,
theoretically, it is uncessary. But my full Boehm A does have the low
E-flat.

If you like that clarinet, and if it plays in tune, keep it, even though
you were deceived as to the maker.

Dan

>
> At 04:39 PM 1/19/2004, Dan wrote:
>
>> Erik Tkal wrote:
>>
>>
>>> An A clarinet I bought on ebay arrived today, though despite the
>>> fact that it was listed as a Buffet, it's apparently really a
>>> Selmer Brevete, the 8xxx S/N indicates around 1930, also it's
>>> full Boehm. Can anyone tell me anything about the model and what
>>> "Brevete" indicates? Since what I received was clearly not what
>>> was advertised I still have recourse through ebay and PayPal, but
>>> before I raise a stink I'm now curious as to what I actually
>>> have. Erik
>>
>> Eric, I have a Selmer full Boehm from roughly the same era and it
>> is a perfectly satisfactory clarinet. However, if you have three
>> rings for the left hand (and a hole in the upper joint's tenon),
>> then you have the kind of instrument that allows a g to b-flat
>> tremulo by lifting the middle finger. It's a nice feature but
>> there can be intonation problems caused by that mechanism which is
>> one of the reasons why the full Boehm clarinet had marketing
>> difficulties.
>>
>> In any event, you were told that it was a Buffet and you can annul
>> the sale through ebay and paypal because of that. Still, if it is
>> a good clarinet you might consider keeping it. I presume it has
>> the low e-flat and articulated g-sharp so characteristic of the
>> full Boehm instrument.
>>
>> Dan Leeson
>

--
Dan Leeson
leeson0@-----.net

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