 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Wayne
Date: 1999-06-09 21:32
Thanks Marc,
I think that has put me off a bit. Would anyone know about the leblanc Normandy- suitability for adult beginner and comparable instruments.
Thanks again.
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-06-09 21:55
The Leblanc Normandy is a step up instrument from the beginner plastic Vito. Some of the adult players in the community bands I have belonged to use them and they sound fine. I haven't played one so can't tell you how they feel.
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Author: Nicole Y.
Date: 1999-06-09 21:57
Hola!
I do know a LITTLE (notice the keyword LITTLE) about the Leblanc Normandy. From what I understand, it is an entry level intermediate clarinet and it comes after the Noblet. It is suitable for adult beginners, but if you have the money, consider getting a higher quality instrument. You might also want to compare the Noblets, Buffet E-11 or E-13, the Selmer CL 200 or the Selmer 103, and whatever model from Yamaha (can you tell I'm strictly Leblanc and I never had any interest in Yamaha?) Here are the specs for the Normandy 4:
"The Normandy 4 from Leblanc France is ideal for the
beginning clarinet player who has an instructor who
prefers a wood instrument. It is extremely free-blowing
with a beautiful tone quality, built to the exceptionally high
standards of Leblanc professional clarinets.
Specifications
Key: Bb
Bore: 14.85 mm (.584")
Key mechanism: 17 key, 6 ring
Key style: In-line “Jump” trill keys
Body material: Aged grenadilla wood
Pad cup style: Conical
Key finish: Nickel-plated
Mouthpiece: 2540P
Case: Formed
Options: Model 4 available with carryall case as model 4CA and with
formed case as model 4WC"
Hope it helps,
the rising freshman,
Nicole Y.
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-06-10 02:18
Nicole Y. wrote:
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Hola!
I do know a LITTLE (notice the keyword LITTLE) about the Leblanc Normandy. From what I understand, it is an entry level intermediate clarinet and it comes after the Noblet. It is suitable for adult beginners, but if you have the money, consider getting a higher quality instrument.
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One small error in your material here. The Normandy lies between the Leblanc Vito and the Noblets. In ascending order, they go like this.
Leblanc Vito - Beginner plastic
Leblanc Normandy - Step up from Vito, currently wood but the older ones are plastic and were beginner horns. Leblanc switched them to wood and made them a step up instrument when they introduced the Vito.
Leblanc Noblet 40 - Intermediate, comparable to Buffet E-11
Leblanc Noblet 45 - Intermediate, comparable to Buffet E-13
Leblanc Esprit and Leblanc Sonata - step up between intermediate and pro grade instruments
Leblanc Infinite - pro grade, comparable to Buffet R-13
Leblanc Concerto - a notch above a "standard" pro grade
Leblanc Opus - premium pro grade with extra "goodies"
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Author: Nicole Y.
Date: 1999-06-10 17:00
Continuing the ascending order:
The top notch Symphonie VII
The Ambiance is between the Opus and Concerto
There are a couple of models left out too... but basically, we got the point across.
the rising freshman,
Nicole Y.
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Author: Albert
Date: 1999-06-13 05:44
Everyone always forgets the E12!!! :'o)My baby!
-Albert
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Author: Tracy
Date: 1999-10-22 21:45
I have been playing on a lEBlanc Normandy for two years now. Currently I am majotring in music and I play it every day! I would not trade it for anything. The Normandy's are actually LeBlanc Sonata's that did not make "the cut" . They usually have a much rougher bore on the inside. But all in all they are EXCELLENT horns for just about anyone. They produce wonderful sounds and they are not difficult to learn how to create a wonderful sound from. ALSO an added bonus...They are generally IN TUNE!!! I highly reccomend them to anyone!
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-10-22 23:44
Tracy wrote:
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... The Normandy's are actually LeBlanc Sonata's that did not make "the cut" .
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The Normandy is indeed a nice instrument but your statement is completely wrong. The Normandy model has been around for well over 30 years. The Sonata is a new model and has only been out a few years. If you check Leblanc's literature, you will find that the Normandy has a larger bore size than the Sonata. They are indeed two *different* horns.
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Author: Tracy
Date: 1999-10-23 00:04
I am just going by what my teacher told me about the horn. I am aware that the Normandy Line had been around for some 30 years but, since the company was bought out by Leblanc the Normandy has basically turned into a Sonata with a little larger bore. SInce the introduction of the Sonata to the Leblanc line of clarinets the Leblanc Normandy can be thought of as a Sonata with a smaller bore. I do realize that they are two completely *different horns* but they are VERY similar... I have played both for some time and that is my deduction!
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Author: Tracy
Date: 1999-10-23 00:05
I am just going by what my teacher told me about the horn. I am aware that the Normandy Line had been around for some 30 years but, since the company was bought out by Leblanc the Normandy has basically turned into a Sonata with a little larger bore. SInce the introduction of the Sonata to the Leblanc line of clarinets the Leblanc Normandy can be thought of as a Sonata with a smaller bore. I do realize that they are two completely *different horns* but they are VERY similar... I have played both for some time and that is my deduction!
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-10-23 01:12
Tracy wrote:
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I am just going by what my teacher told me about the horn. I am aware that the Normandy Line had been around for some 30 years but, since the company was bought out by Leblanc the Normandy has basically turned into a Sonata with a little larger bore. SInce the introduction of the Sonata to the Leblanc line of clarinets the Leblanc Normandy can be thought of as a Sonata with a smaller bore. I do realize that they are two completely *different horns* but they are VERY similar... I have played both for some time and that is my deduction!
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Again this information is incorrect. Leblanc never "bought out" Normandy. This is a line that was developed by Leblanc themselves although there does seem to have been another company using the name sometimes.
Also it is the Normandy that has the larger bore size. And if the bore size is different then it *CANNOT* be a Sonata that didn't quite make the cut.
I don't know if Leblanc still has the company history on its web site but it is very clear that while both the Sonata and Normandy were designed by Leblanc, one is NOT a version of the other.
Initially the Normandy was Leblanc's student instrument and was available at different times in plastic or wood. Then Leblanc introduced the Vito and upgraded the Normandy to a step up instrument between the beginner horns and the intermediate Noblets.
As far as being very similar, all Leblancs are "very similar." After all they are designed by the same company and although the staff has no doubt changed, they would still have followed many of the principals of their predecessors and incorporating newer acoustical knowledge as it was developed.
While your teacher is probably a very fine clarinettist, he/she is not an historian and is passing along one of the many "urban legends" that abound in the clarinet world.
The Leblanc line of horns goes basically like this. I haven't included all the models just the more typical ones.
Vito - Beginner
Normandy - a step up from beginner
Noblet 40 - low end intermediate
Noblet 45 - high end intermediate
Sonata - between intermediate & pro, might call it semi-pro
Esprit - low end professional model
Infinite - standard pro, direct competitor to Buffet R-13
Concerto - premium pro grade
Opus - top of the line premium pro grade with extra keys.
All are very fine instruments and the beginner and intermediate horns can sound exceptionally good with the right reed and mouthpiece and an experienced player. I picked up a used Vito for my daughter to use in marching. It's pretty impressive for a student model. I've used it for a couple of outdoor concerts and was very pleased with it.
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Author: Tracy
Date: 1999-10-23 01:36
I am sorry if youy fell that my teacher is inferior and if you don't mindme asking what are your qualifications to speak so matter-of-fact about LeBlanc's. I am not trying to be rude I am just wondering. And I also believe that a Normandy can have a beautiful sound if the correct combination of reed, mouthpiece, ligature and player can be assebmled. Many people do not believe that I play a Normandy. Why just this summer I was performing a concert in the Vienna Opera House and someone asked me what type of clarinet I was playing because they were so in love with the sound of it.
As far as you putting down my teacher spreading "urban Legends" about clarinets I will chose to find out the truth by myself since I really cannot say which of you is correct. For all you know you are spreading "urban Legends". Again I would really like to know your qualifications mabey then I will know which is more correct. Thanks!
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-10-23 05:01
Why do you take offense at simple facts obtained from Leblanc?
I never said or implied that your teacher was inferior. He/she is no doubt a fine teacher. Many *GREAT* teachers and players have never studied the history of the clarinet or of a particular brand of clarinet. That does not make them any less great.
I did not say the Normandy clarinet was inferior. In fact, the point that I made is that it is a fine horn in its own right. You should be proud to have one and proud of how you play. There is no need to go for the "snob appeal" of saying it is a Sonata that didn't make the cut. That is actually a put down of the Normandy, which I repeat is a fine horn. It needs no excuses and no claims to "royal blood."
I have always had a great interest in the Leblanc line and study its history whenever I get a chance. Are you going to try to say that Leblanc's own web pages are incorrect?? You can even call Leblanc in Kenosha, Wisconsin and ask them about the history of this model.
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Author: Tracy
Date: 1999-10-23 16:26
I was not trying to deny the Leblac web page I was simply wondering where your facts were comming form. AND further more I was not "taking offence at simple facts obtained form Leblanc". AS far as taking the snob appeal....I was not implying that the horn was inferior or anything f that sort. I truly am in love with the sound of my Normandy and if you feel that my comment was a put down to the horn then you have taken my comment the wrong way. As far as calling Leblanc in Kenosha, Wisconsin, I don't feel I need to go to those extremes to prove you correct. Whatever the history of the horn line really does not matter to me. I AM proud of my horn and EXTREMELY proud of the way that I play. If there is nothing more I would just as well end this disscussion. Thank You.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-10-23 19:10
Tracy wrote:
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As far as you putting down my teacher spreading "urban Legends" about clarinets I will chose to find out the truth by myself since I really cannot say which of you is correct. For all you know you are spreading "urban Legends".
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And then Tracy wrote:
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As far as calling Leblanc in Kenosha, Wisconsin, I don't feel I need to go to those extremes to prove you correct.
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Tracy, you can't have it both ways. Dee's done her research and gave you a bit of history (hopefully setting you clear on the differences between the Sonata and Normandy lines), but since you diodn't want to believe her, you were going to do the research yourself. You don't have to even spend a dime to call Kenosha or Paris; an email will do.
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-10-23 19:36
Thanks for the support Mark. This has been the oddest thing. I continually praised the instrument and her teacher yet still she took offense. Has me totally baffled.
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Author: Tracy
Date: 1999-10-24 01:07
So sorry to "baffle" you like I sadi if there was nothing further DROP the subject. And thank you both for ALL of your help..really. I am soory but I didn't feel that you were prasing either my teacher or the instrument but as I said...let's drop the subject. Thanks.
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