 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2010-09-11 02:27
Here are some parameters. You don't have to own it. You don't even have to know whether it tuned well. It could be a friend's or something at a music store. I'm just looking for a fun topic where you picked up a clarinet, put your mouthpiece on it, and when you started playing it your initial reaction was, "Wow! This thing is AWESOME to play!!!"
For me I can dinstinctly remember two...
1) In 2005 I went to Mannes School of Music clarinet day. FIRST big gathering of clarinetists I've ever been to, right when I was seriously getting into playing. And Buffet had a presence there and I got to try out a Buffet "Vintage" model they had there. It was awesome. I remember it being VERY smooth and easy playing, very well set up, and just overall very fun to play.
2) last clarinetfest (1.5 months ago), I saved the Rossi's for last to try out. I've always wanted to try one since Paquito plays one and he, well, he's basically my clarinet idol. If I could wish to have any amount of skill and sound, it'd be his. After playing a bit with Mr. Rossi's personal horn (he was allowing it to be tested as all the horns he brought with him had sold by that time) I noticed the lady working the booth with Mr. Rossi had a rosewood (which of course Paquito plays on). She very nicely allowed me to try it (I figured what was the harm in asking? Worst she could say is no). I'm glad I did ask. At first, I blew, nothing really came out. I then realized I probably needed to put some more air into it and (gasp!) play it properly! I did, and it was as though my world came to life. The sound and feeling I got just from that one open G was AMAZING. I promptly put it down cause I knew if I didn't put it down then, it was probably going to have to be pried from my fingers and I'd probably be asked to never attend a clarinetfest again. I don't think I've ever had a harder time keeping a credit card in my wallet than that moment.
How about you? What clarinet did you pick up and your initial reaction was just a big 'ol grin?
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2010-09-11 02:31)
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2010-09-11 02:55
Alexi,
The Rossi French Bore Bb that I played at C'fest in Maryland a few years back.
I loved the keyword and the general feel of the horn, but what mainly got me was the evenness of the sound and they way it seemed to radiate, which please me to no end whether anyone listening a few feet away could hear it or not.
Now I own three (Bb, A, and C), with a fourth (a replacement for my Bb that I'm handing down) on the way.
(By the way, Rossi makes a killer mouthpiece also, in my not-so-humble opinion.)
B.
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Author: RJShaw0
Date: 2010-09-11 09:07
About 6 years ago when I picked up a Buffet E11 after playing a 1975 Boosey & Hawkes Regent for ages.
And then picking up a Buffet Tosca a few months ago after playing on the E11. The sound was so rich and focused I couldn't believe it, and I couldn't stop smiling for a long time after I got it.
RJS
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2010-09-11 19:39
My Buffet in A from 1931 gave me that buzz. It's got a one-piece body. I've played other clarinets with tone quality as good, but this one's got amazing intonation.
Same thing happened with my alto. I'd only played two other altos before, both school-owned. One was ancient, abused and a total wreck. The other was a new Bundy that I thought was pretty good until I bought a used, pro-quality Selmer. The difference between this pro alto and the Bundy -- wow. I've had a much higher opinion of the alto clarinet ever since!
And my Bundy contra-alto was a huge thrill, too, just because I'd never had a chance to prowl that far down in the clarinet's bass-ment before.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2010-09-11 23:29
Most sepcifically, I've felt this with the Fritz Wurlitzer Reform-Boehms that I had refurbished--before they were actually refurbished.
Even in virutally unplayable condition, I could tell that the instruments were the best I'd ever held before, and could both hear and feel the potential in them.
The others I've experienced that with were also Wurlitzers--the new set of Reform-Boehms that I played two weeks ago especially.
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: mlz
Date: 2010-09-12 23:23
A student on break from the Crane School of Music graciously let me try her clarinet when playing in our group. It was so Absolutely Awesome, a Buffet, customized for her, it was a model down from the Tosca. If she had preferred the Tosca, her parents would have bought that instead. I now have an R-13 I am perfectly happy with.
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Author: RJShaw0
Date: 2010-09-13 00:53
When I got my Tosca, I tried the model below, the Festival. Still a very nice horn, but Tosca felt and sounded better, in my opinion. Although, they do compare very well.
RJS
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Author: LCL
Date: 2010-09-13 18:16
My Leblanc Model 430 low C bass clarinet that just came back three weeks ago after having Morrie Backun install a wooden bell with gold plated U-piece and some TLC in the form of correcting a few technical problems. Morrie has worked on the horn before, and it previously has had resonators added to the large pads. It is a fantastic horn for one that in thought to be inferior to Selmer and Buffet.
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Author: Franklin Liao
Date: 2010-09-13 19:46
I am feeling this over the R S Symphonie that I have just received. Comparing to my CSG that Morrie had serviced about less than a month ago, this horn edges out with the ergonomics by a long shot, while losing no ground in its acoustics. What a horn!
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2010-09-13 19:51
Back about 1980 I was playing in a community college orchestra and transposing the A parts on Bb. While on a trip to Tucson, I walked into the Chicago Store and asked if they had any A clarinets. Sure enough they had one, a gently used Leblanc Symphonie 3, $600. The price was way out of my budget, but then I played it. Holy Cow! What a revelation. Easily the best clarinet I had ever played. I gave them a deposit on the spot and sent a check for the balance as soon as I got home. It busted my budget for the rest of the summer, but I still have that clarinet, and still love it.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-09-13 19:53
> I am feeling this over the R S Symphonie that I have just received.
> Comparing to my CSG that Morrie had serviced about less than a month
> ago, this horn edges out with the ergonomics by a long shot, while losing
> no ground in its acoustics. What a horn!
So you got it? Cool! Welcome to the club!
--
Ben
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