The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

RE: Eb Soprano Clarinet

Author: Drew
Date: 1999-09-21 00:25

Great topic! I've been researching the same questions for some time, so I'll be very interested to hear the responses.

Here's most of what I've been able to learn about the Eb:

Repertoire - according to the music librarian at the community band I play in, few band pieces are scored for the Eb. This doesn't jive with my recollection of my high school band where we had at least two active players at all times. My clarinet choir leader says she has a number of pieces scored for Eb, but no active player (hence my interest). The scores I've seen look like flute parts to me. A review of some music catalogs shows little scored for the Eb. None of the local community bands seems to have an active player.

Instrument tone - when you play an Eb, EVERBODY hears you, the tonal quality is very exposed. Great if you want to stand out from the crowd, bad if you have intonation problems (the Eb has the reputation of a difficult instrument to keep in tune).

Instruments - unlike the Bb, Eb's seem to be made mostly in two grades: student/basic (plastic Vito and domestic Selmer) and professional (Buffet R13, Selmer Paris, Leblanc in several models). There are a few intermediate instruments; Buffet E-11 ($900.00) and Leblanc Noblet (around $1500.00 if my memory is working today). Yamaha makes a couple of models also, but I have no information on grade and price. The used market is quite limited as not many of these instruments are manufactured. The setup is completely different, requiring unique mouthpiece, reeds and ligature.

Summary; limited repertoire, expensive and scarce, hard to tune, best for people with little fingers? The clarinet you love to hate, or hate to love?

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics