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 Bright vs. Dark
Author: Liquorice 
Date:   2003-01-15 09:09

In recent threads discussing the merits os RC, R13 and Festival clarinets, various comparisons were made about which clarinets sound darker/brighter than others. There didn't seem to be any agreement on this at all. Do you think that the terms "bright" and "dark" are useful in describing tone quality?

Just as a matter of interest, if I were to compare 3 models of Buffet clarinets in terms of bright/dark sound, I would list them as follows:

RC- darkest
Festival- in between
R13- brightest

What does everyone else think?

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 RE: Bright vs. Dark
Author: Aussie Nick 
Date:   2003-01-15 11:01

I think exactly the same. I personally like the Festival because I think it has a range of different colours it can achieve. But I think everyone's ideas on what is dark/bright varies. Some people may mistake one or the other for warm? Just a thought.

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 RE: Bright vs. Dark
Author: Vytas 
Date:   2003-01-15 14:59

I'd like to quote Mr. Francois Kloc Manager of Woodwinds North America Boosey & Hawkes Musical Instruments Inc.

"R13 - focused and dark sound.

RC - bright and less focused sound.

R13- Prestige focused and warm or round sound.

RC- Pretige Warmer sound than the RC.

Festival - focused, dark and somewhat flexible sound".

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 RE: Bright vs. Dark
Author: Wayne Thompson 
Date:   2003-01-15 16:37

Liquorice, zillions of words have been expended on this board and on the list about what these words mean, and there is no consensus. However, I appreciate the your question and the Kloc quotes of Vytas anyway. See my question about Festival flexibility of two days ago; I think I agree about the flexible part for Festivals. And I like that. However I will not say my Festival is darker or brighter. I don't know how to describe how it sounds.

Wayne Thompson

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 RE: Bright vs. Dark
Author: Rc 
Date:   2003-01-16 11:23

i dun think R13 have a dark sound~ i Still think Rc have a darker sound then the R13~
but i didnt try Festival before, but i heard that i had a even more darker sound then Rc

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 RE: Bright vs. Dark
Author: David Spiegelthal 
Date:   2003-01-16 11:53

I like a clarinet sound that's dark on the outside (like semi-sweet chocolate, not milk chocolate), but bright and chewy (like caramel, but not so gooey) on the inside. Maybe a little crunchy on the outside, but not too crisp. You know? Covered, yet projecting. Cheerful yet somber. Yeah, that's it.......

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 RE: Bright vs. Dark
Author: Larry Liberson 
Date:   2003-01-16 12:04

How 'bout creamy and rich yet not pretentious?

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 RE: Bright vs. Dark
Author: Liquorice 
Date:   2003-01-16 12:06

David- I hope you brush your teeth before you practise!

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 RE: Bright vs. Dark
Author: David Spiegelthal 
Date:   2003-01-16 12:57

Teeth? What teeth? I have to play double-lip 'cause I gots no teeth!

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 RE: Bright vs. Dark
Author: james 
Date:   2003-01-16 15:13

There are so many variable that people seem to forget when they talk about these horns. Like mouthpieces and barrels can make opinions on what is dark and bright differ.

Personally. With either my M30 or my hawkins.. my opinions on these are:

R13 Focused, flexible in tone

Prestige r-13, too focused and not very flexible

RC - It's just a little brighter, maybe a little "harsher"

I definately believe R-13's are the best clarinets. Despite some annoying tunning tendencies.

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 RE: Bright vs. Dark
Author: HAT 
Date:   2003-01-16 15:31

The sound that comes out of any clarinet is 98% the sound you put in

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 RE: Bright vs. Dark
Author: Vytas 
Date:   2003-01-16 17:57

A lot of people that are able to hear tone color have no disagreement on what dark or bright tone color is. I look at this issue this way. There are plenty of professional musicians out there that started studying music at very early age but only a small percentage of them have/developed a perfect pitch. A lot of people, especially, men are colorblind to a certain degree, and finally, not every body can hear tone color. That's a given thing. You have it or you don't.

Long time ago I walked into Karate store to get some gear for my kid. An instructor, that was already there, wanted to buy some blue belts for his school. He explained that the company that he ordered bets from sent him all belts but blue and he has no time to re-order. Sales representative showed him where they were and he returned back holding bunch of belts in his hands. Sales rep. looked at him and said. I thought, you need blue belts. Guy goes "yes". He had blue and purple belts in his hands. My point to this story is even though we can hear tone not everybody can hear tone COLOR, but.... if you ask this guy to describe sound you will get very opinionated and funny description similar to David's. LOL.

Sorry, English is not my native tongue.

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 RE: Bright vs. Dark
Author: Mike 
Date:   2003-01-17 02:03

In my experience, the R-13 Prestige is the darkest of the three. It is more centered and powerful than the standard R-13. However, I do not consider the standard R-13 to be bright. As far as the Festival goes, I think it is dull. A dark tone still has life to it.

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