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Which clarinet is good enough for diplomas?

Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-11-02 16:05

Hi all,

I am doing a diploma in december. But wondering if my clarinets are 'good enough'. Or even which one should I use! (I have a vandoren mouthpiece)

My collection is
Armstrong 4001
Ridenour 147
Amati 651
Buffet E-11 C clarinet

Now my buffet is my favourite sound and resistance. but being a C clarinet I can't use it. Do people feel the E-11 is actually a good enough clarinet to do for university level/Licentiate level? or is the tone not good enough. (E-11's in Bb seem to pop up second hand on eBay regularly enough to get one quite easily)

The amati seems to be much harder to blow than the others, no matter which mouthpiece i put on it (5RV or B45). But is it good enough, or would the E-11 be a better exam clarinet?

Ridenour 147 is the easiest to play, but the tone doesn't seem to be as rich as the buffet or the Amati.

The armstrong.. well... I own it, but I was assuming it wouldn't meet the standard!

So just wondering what others think, whether any of my instruments are good enough.. or if i should really be investing in something better. Or trying to get an E-11.

Then there is some circa 1930's 'pre-r-13's" on eBay too, that are under $1000, would one of those be an improvement on my collection of instruments? And if it is, do i need something of that quality to do the exam

Thanks everyone in advance
:)

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Re: Which clarinet is good enough for diplomas?

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2016-11-02 17:01

The quality of your equipment is most important when it's closest to your face. Thus, a good player will sound good on anything, because lip, tongue and palate position make 90% of the tone. After that come the reed, the mouthpiece and the barrel.

I once put my handmade reed, mouthpiece and barrel on a Vito body, and no one could tell the difference between it and my thoroughly tweaked Buffet R13. Even I was surprised at how little difference there was.

You'll feel the biggest difference by getting a handmade mouthpiece and matched barrel from any of the good makers, such as Walter Grabner, Clark Fobes or Greg Smith. It will be the best $600 you ever spent.

Most of the stuff on eBay is garbage. Stick with what you have and practice making as many different sounds as you can come up with. Work on breathing and support and always sing when you play.

In fact, make sure the pads on your Armstrong seal tight and play until you sound good on that. Then you'll sound good on anything.

Ken Shaw

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Re: Which clarinet is good enough for diplomas?

Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2016-11-02 23:38

I have never been a fan of the E11 model, really not much more than a wood version of the B12.
If you want a Buffet then an E13 is a much better clarinet than the E11.

However there are many fine used professional models also on the market and some, especially the older Leblancs, are amazing value for the money.

Agree in part with the above however that the mouthpiece and reed are by far the most important factors, regardless of what model clarinet you choose.

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Re: Which clarinet is good enough for diplomas?

Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-11-03 14:41

Thanks guys. Thanks Norman for the tip on the E-11. I will know not to look for those then! It was the only C clarinet I could buy locally, and I'm very happy with it. I guess that is why I thought I would like the B flat E-11. but I can't buy them locally.. except eBay. but wasn't sure if it would be a better instrument than my amati or not!

hadn't thought of the importance of the barrel!

Will keep practising, and refining tone on the instruments I have! thanks ken.

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