Klarinet Archive - Posting 000533.txt from 2004/07
From: "Jon Scott Higgs" <jonshiggs@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Can you offer guidance on Amati purchase ... (newbie)
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 15:12:55 -0400
Musical Friends,
I am very impressed by the sophistication of list contributors -- and hope
that anyone can spare a few words for an intermediate player in need of
guidance.
My goal - to play in small folk music ensembles, with good intonation and
tone. Most melodies are simple, and the better players improvise
counter-melodies and variations. There is a lot of sight-reading, while
others 'play by ear'
At my current skill level, transposing the concert pitch music onto my Bb
clarinet puts many of the melodies (which tend to be in "fiddle-friendly"
keys of D and A) in the keys of E and B -- with rapid passages that are
simply impossible for any level of technique I expect to reach in the next
12 months...
The solution already employed by local clarinetists is to play C clarinets.
They have spent about $2000 each on their instruments (I think Patricola and
Noblet) -- completely beyond my means.
WWBW advertises Amati C clarinets for about $525, which I could manage ...
but the Klarinet archives suggest that quality varies widely on these
instruments. Apparently, a 'test drive' is the only reliable way to judge,
and it's best to have several to try.
I live about 2 hours drive from the Amati distribution center (they are in
north New Jersey, off the Garden State Parkway), and they are willing to let
me come and try several instruments. Here's the rub: I don't think I'm
competent to make a good judgment !
Can you please offer:
1- suggestions of things to look/listen for when examining and playing ?
2- suggestions of a systematic approach to assessment
3- or (wild hope !), is anyone interested in a short field trip to the Amati
distribution center -- you could explore the wide range of instruments of an
interesting (and still inexpensive) Eastern European brand and help an
enthusiastic intermediate player avoid the teeth-gnashing and hair-tearing
frustration of spending the next 5+ years struggling with an instrument that
is "off."
My immediate plan is to go some day next week (7/19-23) -- I see that there
is a big conference in Maryland, but it would cost $100+ travel to go see
exhibits (I'm not a member, and not nearly skilled enough to be a
participant), and would probably not put an instrument in my hands.
The month of August is my "prime time" to focus of practice -- I'd love to
set aside my (eBay - $90) plastic Bb and start making progress on a C
instrument !
Thanks in advance for suggestions and guidance of any sort !
Jon Scott Higgs
MSN Life Events gives you the tips and tools to handle the turning points in
your life. http://lifeevents.msn.com
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