 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: icecoke12
Date: 2003-06-07 17:08
May I know how do most people normally choose an instrument when trying out a few of the same models or between different models?
Do you try and see which one feels right for you? Or do you base it on tuning of the instrument.... Are there any guidelines or reasons on the way/method to choose a perfect instrument for you?
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Author: cyso_clarinetist
Date: 2003-06-07 19:50
The brannens told me once how to pick out a clarinet. I figured they would know considering for a good deal of time they not only overhauled the clarinets but hand picked them first.
There are specific directions for picking out R-13's but I guess it could be applied to other models.. to many variables for me.
1) Go to a store where they have a big selection of these clarinets. You should have atleast twelve clarinets to pick from. More would even be better.
2) Do a slow chromatic scale (slurred) from the very bottom to the very top of the range. As you go up and down, think of the quality of the legato and the consistency of the tone going up and down. Also listen for any notes that are noticeably out of tune (don't use a tuner). This shouldn't take long. Maybe two minutes.
3) Put down the first horn and do this the same to the second horn. Compare, pick the better one. put the other one away. Pull out the third horn and do the same procedure, then go back to the horn you picked and play it again. Pick the one you liked better and put the other one away. Keep doing this procedure. Don't go back to horns you had already x'ed. If you do it can be very confusing.
When I first heard this I thought it sounded somewhat dodgy but after doing it, it really works. Try it for yourself.
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2003-06-08 00:05
I have to disagree with the method described by James above. Each player will have a different method for picking out clarinets, just as we would probably have our own way of test driving cars. I don't think that going into a store is the best way to go. If you happen to live near a music store where you can weed a few out and take home a few choice clarinets, then that is good of course. I think it is important to be able to play the horns in your own environment. Places like WWandBW and Intl I am sure have these fancy tryout rooms, but I believe it is better to try out the clarinets on a real stage or in a real life situation. As far as the horn being able to play in tune, that is great and all but if it cannot tongue, then it is worthless. A good mouthpiece and barrel will help of course, but the horn has to have resitance. Otherwise, you will probably sound like crap in the high register. As far as the tuning of the instrument, you can work with that a little bit. I would not let the tuning of the instrument remove it from consideration. You can always work with the tuning by either going to a expert repairperson, or there are homemade remedies for that too. Most important to me is the right amount of resitance. It is really difficult to pick out the 'right' clarinet as they can change over time. If you have a teacher, I would certainly go to him or her and see what he or she recommends. The mechanics of the instrument must fit well to.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-06-08 09:25
I tried about 16 different R13s this weekend at Musicorp (Melbourne), and wasn't impressed with any of them! One had nice intonation, especially 'up top', but still found certain notes 'pop' out (D#/Eb, 2nd octave above middle C). Tone in general was lacking... It was like they spread my tone, not focussed it.
I play on an R13 at the moment, and it is WAY better than any of these that I tested. It really helped me appreciate what I got!
Besides, I'm a soon-to-be owner of a pair of Bannenized Concertos!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-06-08 14:23
ice[cold]coke!2 - I suggest that you also read the discussion of the "pinch Bb" problem above. The quality of the several "problem" notes on ALL cls is one of my top criteria on horn selection, along, of course, with good [correctible??] intonation and "playing feel". Just thots! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: William
Date: 2003-06-08 15:09
Then, there is the "Daniel Bonade" method for choosing the "correct" mouthpiece. "Load all of your mouthpieces into a boat, row to the middle of the lake, select only one from the pile--and throw the rest overboard."
(then, go home and learn to play the one you selected)
It is more important to learn how to play the clarinet, rather than relying on the clarinet to play for you.
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Author: icecoke12
Date: 2003-06-08 15:38
When you try out clarinets at the store, most likely the keys and pads aren't adjusted properly, and the clarinet will probably feel different after it gets seasoned as the wood will change.
In that case, isn't it terribly inaccurate to choose one using even any method at all... a good one you find may just be one that has its pad better in place than the rest.
New clarinets are also quite difficult to assemble and the way i see some salespeople assemble and disassemble it, the keys may be twisted and will prob affect the playing of the instrument for the next tester.
All these may also lead to an inaccurate verdict of how good the instrument actually is as it could just be due to its wood being unseasoned or keys not aligned properly.
Do you think that we should just grab a new one and go...haha.. something out of the box which no one has opened yet.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-06-09 09:20
I'm not sure on a method I have, just 'what feels good TO ME'. I also check ALL fingerings which have alternatives, and see how close each of these alternatives are. If, for example, the top F# is very sharp on the 'standard' fingering, and very very flat on my 'alternative', I would write it off my list. However, if all fingerings for a note are in tune, or very close to, I like the instrument.
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