 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: skjaeve
Date: 2008-02-13 11:23
I've picked up from the discussion here that European and American clarinets are different in some way, but I haven't figured out how. What is the difference, and what should I beware of when shopping for clarinet supplies (reeds, mouthpiece, barrel) in USA? (To clarify: I'm European.)
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2008-02-13 11:51
I don't believe that there are differences between European and American models within one brand. The only difference would be that in America the pitch standard is generally A=440 and in most of Europe it is A=442 (eg. Norway) In some German orchestras the pitch can be even higher (up to A=444 and in England most orchestras tune at A=440). So the thing to take into account is barrel length.
For tuning at A=442 with Buffet instruments, the standard barrel lengths are 66mm for the B-flat and 65mm for the A clarinet barrel. This is assuming that you don't play on an unusually high or low pitched mouthpiece.
Perhaps there are other differences with other barnds which I'm not aware of?
In any case, be sure to take a tuning machine along when you buy, and check the tuning once the instrument is WARMED UP.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2008-02-13 12:36
Oh, and I forgot- American mouthpieces are often tuned lower than European mouthpieces. So don't forget your tuning machine!!
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2008-02-13 22:09
....I've picked up from the discussion here that European and American clarinets are different in some way, but I haven't figured out how.....
Well, I have a great collection of french clarinets, and they are all bought from the USA, except for a Hanson from the UK and a full boehm Buffet from Italy.
Due to a combination of exchange rates and the over inflated rip off prices in Europe, I buy most accessories from the USA.
There is no difference to me. What is important is the mouthpiece and barrel. Vandoren make their MPs for both 440 and 442.
Steve
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Author: clarijen
Date: 2008-02-14 01:10
I have lived and played in bands in the UK, Germany and the US. Other than German/Austrian clarinets being built entirely differently (which I believe is pretty much limited to those two countries only), instruments and accessories seem pretty interchangeable between (most of) Europe and America, although popularity and accessibility of certain brands may differ between the two continents.
As mentioned above, the only general difference I would say is the pitch used for tuning. Luckily for me, my problems of being slightly flat disappeared overnight when I moved to the US!
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Author: skjaeve
Date: 2008-02-14 14:33
I was wondering about getting a Fobes or Gennusa beginner mouthpiece, but then I would have problems getting them to play in tune if they're not made for the European market?
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Author: clarijen
Date: 2008-02-14 14:37
Gennusa does a mouthpiece made for the European market, it's called the !EURO! model:
http://www.redwinejazz.com/2ProductsPage.htm
I'm not sure it's a "beginner" one, but you can't go wrong with a better mouthpiece anyway.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2008-02-14 15:33
Try it out. If your barrel isn't too long then it could be OK to play at A=442.
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Author: pelo_ensortijado
Date: 2008-02-15 14:44
i've heard that many us-clarinets are using nickelplating instead of silver which is the most common in europe.
other than that, and ofcourse the pitch, the clarinets are the same as far as i know.
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Author: Debora B
Date: 2014-10-11 13:23
Hi I need someone else's opinion.. I'm an American living in Germany. I learned the Clarinet in junior & high school. However haven't played in more than 20 years now that my kids are grown. I'd like to again. However living in Germany they use a different system and since I'm going to have to relearn/refresh anyhow I wonder if I should go ahead with the German version. Is it so different that I'll have to relearn on a non german version when returning (unknown when)to the US? Thanks =)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-10-11 16:51
You "engraved" Boehm system fingerings in your muscle memory, as well and the way of blowing and articulation that works on the Boehm instrument. When you start to play again, even after 20 years, those familiar motions come back quickly.
The German Oehler clarinets are different enough that you will need to learn a good bit from scratch. I strongly recommend beginning again on a Boehm system clarinet.
Ken Shaw
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Author: MichaelW
Date: 2014-10-11 19:34
Hi Deborah. Sure I would, in your case, also prefer to take up playing on a Boehm instrument. But if you wish to take lessons you ought to look for a teacher who offers Boehm and not only German system (Oehler) here in the region.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2014-10-12 09:18
>> However living in Germany they use a different system <<
FWIW, though it's not verified, according to a friend who studies clarinet in a university in Germany, where they use both systems and also period clarinets (they are also in touch with many other players around the country) approx 70% of clarinet students in Germany use French/Boehm system clarinets.
Post Edited (2014-10-12 20:35)
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Author: Debora B
Date: 2014-10-12 18:55
Thanks to all who replied..
I've decided to go ahead with a Boehm system probably not a good one but to refresh myself. I found it on amazon.de 69 Euro!(Its white and no named: tolle Bb Klarinette + Koffer & Zubehör in weiss
Zustand: Neu) lol So, we'll see. I wanted to see if I'm able to play due to arthrose in my hands there's lots I can't do anymore (Cross Stitch another hobby) My Hubby's Birthday Pressie to me and didn't want me forking out so much if i'm unable to play. So Fingers Crossed =))
Thanks Again,
DeboraB
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Author: MichaelW
Date: 2014-10-13 01:58
Hello, Debora.
Excuse me, but I'm a bit sceptical about your decision. When I began playing clarinet some years ago (with 70) I thought it was better to have a good instrument from the beginning so that I could be sure it wasn't the instrument if I got in trouble. So in case you are not happy with the white clarinet in the beginning may I suggest you might at first rent an approved instrument for some time.
Here in Hannover, e.g. Hinrich Schulz, Döhren, Landwehrstraße 69, www.hinrich-schulz.de offers clarinets „günstig“ for renting.
Michael Woernle
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Author: donald
Date: 2014-10-13 03:45
Good luck DeboraB, I really hope your hands/arthritus will allow you to start playing again! Best wishes dn
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2014-10-13 18:03
DeboraB, I hope you enjoy returning to the clarinet! Since you got that white clarinet so inexpensively, I suggest you keep what's left of the clarinet budget at the ready in case a better instrument shows up either for sale or for rent. A poor-quality clarinet, especially if it needs overhauling, can frustrate come-backers (I'm another one) into blaming ourselves and quitting.
And, if you have a chance, see if you can alternate playing on both Oehler and Boehm system instruments instead of getting completely locked into one or the other. You've got a beautiful opportunity here: before you establish fixed habits, you can train yourself to double on either system, the same way a lot of us have trained ourselves to switch between clarinets, saxophones and other winds. People's learning preferences differ, but for me, it's easier to learn two or more things at once than it is to learn one and then try to block it out of my brain while learning a different one.
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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