 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-04-14 03:55
I bought a Patricola Eb soprano a while back that I've been pretty happy with. I'd like to get a matching D soprano to go with it but Patricola doesn't make a D. So I'll have to go with a different make. Eb sopranos have been discussed quite a bit on the BB lately but I haven't seen much regarding D sopranos. Does anyone have any experience with D sopranos? I'd be particularly interested in evaluations of different makes.
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2003-04-14 09:58
I've never seen any D-clarinets other than the big four: LeBlanc Buffet Selmer and possibly Yamaha.
The best would be to order a new from one of these makers, I think it will be difficult to find a used one unless you have very sharp eyes.
What would you use it for other than occational symphonic repertoire?
Alphie
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2003-04-14 11:21
"What would you use it for other than occational symphonic repertoire?"
Molter concerti and... no, that's about it!
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-04-14 15:44
I would use a D clarinet for folk music (Irish music, fiddle tunes, maybe some Klezmer, etc.). C clarinet works well for this pupose too but the D would give me a break on the sharp keys (by subtracting two sharps). Two prospects I've seen are the Leblanc LL and Selmer D15. I figure these would go new for $2,200 or $2,300. I don't believe Buffet makes an R13 in D and the Prestige is out of my price range. Don't know much about Yamaha. A clarinet in D is still just a wild hair at this point but I figure I'd start doing a little research.
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Author: javier garcia m
Date: 2003-04-15 00:04
Rossi also makes D clarinets, but they are over $ 3.000. I've never played them, but knowing the quality of their clarinets (my A is a Rossi) I could imagine they are very nice.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-04-15 05:21
A Rossi D sounds interesting but 3 grand plus is a little out of my range right now. About $2,300 or so is my upper limit but if I put it off for a year or two I might be able to swing the Rossi. Something to consider.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-04-15 16:44
I just checked the Rossi site. A D clarinet is $4000. Ouch! Maybe in a few years.
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Author: javier garcia m
Date: 2003-04-15 17:59
It is really very expensive and out of reach, and there is so little literature for it (I know R. Strauss and Stravinsky wrote for the D clarinet),
but there are not "student" models, only professional ones.
There are also some german makers as Wurlitzer or Schwenk und Seggelke that make D clarinets, but very expensive.
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2003-04-15 20:35
Stephen Fox in Toronto makes D clarinets:
http://www.sfoxclarinets.com
He can set it up with whatever optional keys you want: LH g#/d#, g#/f# trill, etc.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-04-15 21:09
Stephen Fox is a possibility. I will look into it. As I mentioned above my interest in a D clarinet is mostly to play folk type music, something a C clarinet can handle just as well. So if the D just doesn't pan out I'll go with a C. I already have a Leblanc Esprit in C which is a decent little clarinet, and I can get a Patricola C with the same keywork (articulated G#/C# and left hand Eb/Ab key) as my Patricola eefer and for under 2 grand. (I was astonished when I checked on some prices this afternoon. Even the Selmer D15, the cheapest of the bunch, was $2700. The Buffet RC Prestige was an astronomical $4400.) Meanwhile, I'll check out Stephen's site, maybe e-mail him with some questions.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-04-16 19:15
Fiddle tunes mostly. Irish and other British Isles, Appalachian, Southwestern U.S., New England, etc. Maybe some bluegrass. I'm also fond of Klezmer. Also, I have on the way a Buffet Prestige D from IMS for a trial. I should get it Monday and I'll give my impressions of it Tuesday or Wednesday.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-04-17 05:01
robert
Actually doing the transpositions for the D clarinet is rather easy - really
Just slip down one degree on the stave and remove two sharps
hence:
Concert Key | D-clari key
A major | G major
D major | C major
A flat major | use the eflat clarinet (becomes F major).
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-04-26 18:25
Well, I bought the Buffet D (Prestige RC). I'm pretty happy with it. It's going to make a good pair with my Patricola Eb. The general feel of these two instruments is fairly close so switching back and forth will be easy. Blowing resistance is very close with the Patricola being slightly freer. Keywork is not quite as similar with the keywork on the Buffet being thicker and heavier feeling than the Patricola's but still fairly comfortable. The Patricola's keywork is sleeker and quicker and I prefer it over the Buffet's. As to tone quality (and here comparisons are a little dicey since the two horns are pitched a half step apart) I don't have a preference. The Buffet is a little darker and mellower but I actually like the brightness and edge of the Patricola. It's fine for the jazz stuff I play on it. As to intonation (and again keeping in mind the difference in pitch of the two horns) both instruments can play pretty well in tune throughout the chalumeau and clarion ranges. But in the altissimo register the Buffet has the clear advantage. Up to altissimo G (and I have no desire to play any higher than that on these little clarinets) the Buffet is pretty much right on pitch without me having to adjust my lip. On the Patricola I have to chomp down a good bit to get the altissimo notes up to pitch, though over time it seems to be getting easier to get these notes in tune. So I consider both of these horns top quality professional clarinets and can easily recommend both of them (and the Patricola at about $1700 is a screaming buy). As I said above, they make a very nice pair. I just hope they don't decide to breed and I wake up one day and there's a little Ab sopranino sitting there.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-04-26 21:19
I would hasten to add a few comments on the excellence of the D clarinet over the Eb.
In Richard Strauss till I have always found it easier to play the exerpt with the d clarinet, and with better tone and sound. I still have an Uebel D clarinet which I use occasionally and enjoy its sound far more.
The D clarinet is a great advantage in the sharp keys, and seems to blend with violins better. these are a few thoughts I haVE gained over the years......
David Dow
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-04-27 01:36
I agree pretty much with David. The D is mellower and easier to handle in the altissimo than the Eb, but the Eb has a big advantage in the flat keys, which makes it more suitable for jazz (where the flat keys predominate). And playing jazz is the main reason I own an Eb. So I would say that there are good reasons for owning both a D and an Eb.
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2003-04-27 12:41
There was a thread here some time ago with comments from Larry Liberson of the Detroit Symphony with a list of orchestral pieces scored for D clarinet.
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Author: klarinette90
Date: 2012-04-13 00:44
Wouldn't the difficult keyed passages composed for Eb clarinet be a whole lot easier on D? Take for instance the sunrise scene in "Daphnis et Chloe." The original Eb part is in the key of B major. Wouldn't that be a great deal easier on D clarinet?
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Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2012-04-13 02:38
klarinette90 wrote:
> Wouldn't the difficult keyed passages composed for Eb clarinet
> be a whole lot easier on D? Take for instance the sunrise scene
> in "Daphnis et Chloe." The original Eb part is in the key of B
> major. Wouldn't that be a great deal easier on D clarinet?
You bet it is.
A lot of Mahler's First Symphony sits much better on D clarinet as well.
Jupiter Canada Artist/Clinician
Stratford Shakespeare Festival musician
Woodwind Doubling Channel Creator on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/WoodwindDoubling
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Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2012-04-13 03:00
"Wouldn't the difficult keyed passages composed for Eb clarinet be a whole lot easier on D? Take for instance the sunrise scene in "Daphnis et Chloe." The original Eb part is in the key of B major. Wouldn't that be a great deal easier on D clarinet?"
A great deal easier. When I play the Eb part with orchestras other than my own, I play the sunrise scene on D. When my orchestra does Daphnis, I lend my D clarinet to the person playing Eb. The sunrise is so easy on D clarinet that she doesn't even need to practice it. I bring my D to the rehs and concerts, she plays it, and I take it home with me afterwards.
Some of the fast licks in the Ravel Piano Concerto that you hear more often botched than played smoothly (like the F# minor lick in the 3 rd mvt) have a higher rate of success when played on D (G minor).
The Vivace mvt in Ginastera's Variaciones Concertantes (that goes up to a double-high D on soprano clarinet) fits perfectly on D clarinet. The lowest note is a low E and the highest is an A.
The Eb clarinet solo in Shostakovich 5 resonates better on D clarinet that Eb.
There is a lot of orchestral rep for D clarinet (aside from playing treacherous Eb passages on D); Mahler, Schoenberg, Stravinsky, Strauss, come to mind immediately.
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