 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ramsa
Date: 2011-08-25 13:39
Just wondering if anyone had any interesting stories about how they found their own favorite instrument? Was it something that was bought after trying many other clarinets, or a gift from a loved one, obtained through a trade, etc.? Recently owned, or had forever?
I ended up buying/trading my Buffet Festival Bb from my niece as she was making a transition from clarinet to guitar. As a beginner, it's alot more instrument than I really need, but the quality and pride of ownership kind of caused me to fall into this one. Can't imagine wanting or needing anything more... ever. I just hope as an adult beginner, I can eventually do it some kind of justice. It's just so beautiful to look at and to play. (Now I find out there is a whole different world of mouthpiece/ligature choices...)
After reading some posts about clarinets that are 20, 30, 50 years old or more, I figure there HAS to be some cool background on how some of you have found the one you currently play.
So...
Thanks in advance for sharing.
Dave
This is a genuine signature.
Post Edited (2011-08-25 15:04)
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Author: Jwinn
Date: 2011-08-25 14:50
Hi Dave,
The clarinet I own is a Buffet E-11 that I have had since I was 16 years old (so 18 years - I've had it more years than I lived before I had it!). I got it as a step-up from my first plastic Artley clarinet. When I was 17, I played my audition to get into the Navy Band on that clarinet and got in. Played it through my 6 months at the Tri-Service Music A School in Virginia and for all of my auditions while I was there. When I got stationed at Navy Band Southwest in San Diego I was issued an R-13 Prestige and it was a beautiful instrument, but I still played the E-11 quite a bit - the Prestige felt kind of like driving somebody else's car. We had an LeBlanc Opus for a while, too, and that got passed around the band, but I stuck with my Buffet's, and my trusty E-11 most especially.
When I got out of the Navy, I had to give back the Prestige and then I stopped playing for a long time. I would noodle around occasionally, but nothing regular. When I took it up seriously again early this year, my trusty E-11 was waiting for me. It's still in great shape, never had a crack, still serves me well even though it isn't as shiny as once it was! I do want to get an R-13 at some point, just because I do, but I'll keep the E-11 forever no matter what.
Post Edited (2011-08-25 14:52)
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-08-27 22:15
I now have a Selmer Signature Bb clarinet which I replaced my old Buffet Bb that I bought about 45 years ago, I can't remember how many of those I tried. I bought the Selmer when I took a student to a clarinet shop to help him try out Buffets. While he was testing the final three I asked if they had any Selmers to try just for curiosity. I tried about three Recitals, which I didn't like and five Signatures which I feel in love with the very first one and kept coming back to it and bought it on the spot. I use a Backun bell and a Backun and Segal barrel.
I bought my Buffet A clarinet while in school over 50 years ago, never found one I liked better, can't remember how many I tried. Had the register tube moved up many years ago and use Backun bells and barrel too.
Eb, I tried eight of them at the Buffet company when they were in NY owned by the Carl Fischer co. back in the early 60s. I picked out 3 and Dave Weber walked in and he helped me decide which was the best of the 3, it's a great Eb. No after market anything.
Bass, I use a low C Selmer bass that I bought in 1965, had to order it back in those days so I didn't have a choice. I've done a lsome tuning over the years, had a LH low D key built on and gold plated the neck and bell and I haven't found one I like better in all these years.
My the way, I tried over a dozen bells and barrels before choosing any of them.
I still play my old Bb Buffet at pops concerts now and then to keep it in "playing"
shape. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2011-08-27 23:07
I was out in a canoe on Lake Champlain one misty morning in the summer of '85 when I heard a beckoning sound coming from farther out in the mist. "Come hither" it seemed to say, though with a German accent. As I paddled, I saw the arm of the mysterious Lady of the Lake holding what appeared to be a shimmering A clarinet above the placid surface of the waters. I reached out and have never looked back.
My Bb clarinet, by contrast, is the mythical "Artie Shaw Wurlitzer" secretly used for his 1954 final recording session. He swore me to secrecy until five years after his death.
Now the truth can be told.
Just kidding: I got them on Staten Island when I was a teenager in the mid-80s. They are unique though--both are among the earliest examples of the perfected Wurlitzer Reform Boehm, built by Fritz Wurlitzer in 1951. I'm not sure if any older ones are still being played, but the Fritz Wurlitzer R-Bs being played by Luigi Magistrelli were made in the 1960s, and I don't know of others still in concert use (though there may be a few Dutch players still on Fritz's).
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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