Klarinet Archive - Posting 000249.txt from 2011/01

From: hns692@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] clarinet suggestions
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2011 23:05:45 -0500


I've played on an Bb R-13 for years and love it. However, my hands are
small and I have a bad thumb that necessitated having a Kooiman thumbrest
added to the horn. I played on a LeBlanc in college then went to the Buffet.
I've tried an Opus and when I need to switch to something else, would go
to the Opus, or another suitable LeBlanc. This is primarily because of my
small hands . . . the LeBlanc keys are a better fit and easier for me to
play. A Selmer, for me, seems to be engineered for a wider palm span. I play
a LeBlanc Eb and will try all three major brands if I need to replace it
since the size of the instrument in this case doesn't matter as much.

Have fun looking!

Lee Ann Hansen

In a message dated 1/23/2011 5:11:23 P.M. Central Standard Time,
richard.smith7@-----.com writes:

I was a pretty good clarinetist 25 years ago when I finished a degree in
musicology and clarinet performance. Then I went off to graduate school in
musicology in a fancy university with no performance program-- and pretty
much stopped playing.

Twenty five years later I've started playing again. Remarkably enough, my
fingers still know where to go and my sound and technique is pretty good.
One problem, though, is that the Selmer Series 9 Bb I used back then and
still have has some major problems that aren't worth repairing according to
a technician who looked at it. The rods are no longer securely seated and
wobble, for example, so he'd have to take all the keys off and rebore the
holes to reattach them firmly. The pads are 1970's vintage and need
replacing and the clarinet doesn't seal very well. I suppose after years of
non-use the wood dehydrated and shrank. The technician was able to repair
it enough to make it barely acceptable for practicing purposes and to get
my
chops back, but not really for serious use. Rather than putting a lot of
money into repairing it, I think maybe it's time to start thinking about
buying a new one.

My clarinet teacher back then was Ron Dekant and he and all his serious
students used Buffet R-13s except for me. I was very happy with my Selmer,
but would consider something else.

My default inclination is to look at R-13s, but what other makes and models
should I be considering? I read on this list or elsewhere a recommendation
for Leblanc Opus, for example.

I'd appreciate it if list members could suggest some possible options in
that class of instrument. Thanks in advance!

Richard
_______________________________________________
Klarinet mailing list
Klarinet@-----.com
To do darn near anything to your subscription, go to:
http://klarinet-list.serve-music.com

_______________________________________________
Klarinet mailing list
Klarinet@-----.com
To do darn near anything to your subscription, go to:
http://klarinet-list.serve-music.com