 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: bryris
Date: 2003-12-08 17:38
Hey all,
I've got a Leblanc normady 4. From what I gather its an intermediate level clarinet. I am getting back into clarinet after a 3 year LOA and am really enjoying playing again.
Eventualy I want to get a Buffet R-13 prestige. About 3300 and thats the best deal I've found. Might as well go for the best. But I cannot aford one for a while. Then I wondered if it would be worth my money to buy a step up and play that for 8- 10 years before getting the R-13, I am 22 now, in college, so money will be scarce until then. A step up, per my understanding would be a Buffet E11 or a Yamaha YCL-64. Then I thought, perhaps just get this one reconditioned, it needs pads and a corks and a good cleaning, and use it until I can go all out and buy the R-13.
How good is the Normandy 4? I'veplayed it for years, all through highschool, played first chair in all-county band and 1st chair for clarinet trios and choirs at solo-ensemble festivals, and I never got any negative comments about the sound. The R-13 is much more free-blowing. This one you've got to really fill with air to get a god sound.
Any thoughts?
Bryan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-12-08 22:55
Yeah, Bryan, I question going from a Normandy to a Yamaha to a Buffet. The "feel" of different brands is definitely different, and this should be a consideration.
I would suggest that you stick with the Leblanc-made stuff since you already have played one for some years (caveat: I do like Leblanc hardware). But if you -- like many others -- just won't be satisfied without a Buffet, try to get there more smoothly. I don't know how the Schreiber-made (E11) and French-made Buffets stack up, feel-wise. Presuming the new R-13 Prstige in your future is a must, maybe you'd be better off with a used R-13 until you get the new one. It would likely have better retention of its value than the E11, anyway.
Regards,
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: paulwl
Date: 2003-12-08 23:00
I played jazz on a Normandy for 7 years and found it quite serviceable, with a nice tone and intonation and good workmanship – especially for its price range. About 9 years ago I got my first Selmer Balanced-Tone and haven't looked back since...
I quizzed the alt.music.clarinet readership about the Normandy several years ago and was told it wasn't an intermediate, but a beginner instrument. It certainly doesn't look, feel or play like one.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-12-09 00:06
I would not say the Normandy 4 is a beginner instrument, but it's not in the same league with most intermediates, either. Sort of an advanced student Clarinet is my take on it. I had one, and it played rather well.
Regards,
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2003-12-09 02:38
You might want to get it checked out for minute leaks. The Normandy 4 should be relatively free blowing. Or perhaps it's your mouthpiece/reed combo.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
