The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: fredackerman
Date: 2003-12-18 16:57
Hello, I'm new to this board and after reading scores of questions/answers, I am really impressed. I was a tenor sax player way back in the 60's and early 70's, from grade school till my university graduation. I was in the band and orchestra for ten years and took private lessons for six. The thing is that I always loved the sound and look of the Bb clarinet! I just bought a Selmer Paris BT with a serial number that leads to 1937! It sure feels good finding something older than me. The clarinet is in mint condition and was recently brought up to speed. I had a friend who is a professional try it out and he didn't want to give it back. Does anyone out there know any history about this instrument? I am now reading "The Clarinet and Clarinet Playing" by David Pino along with a hardware book "Tipbook Clarinet" by Hugo Pinksterboer, both very good. Any other book suggestions? I plan to start lessions this winter, the teacher told me that I could start on my own and that she would fix my mistakes when we started. True? Oh, one more thing, any good ideas on a mouthpiece/reed combo? Yes, I know the drill about try, try try...but where should I begin?
Fred
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-12-18 21:36
Fred,
Congratulations on acquiring such a great instrument.
IMO it's usually easier to learn the right way in the first place than to unlearn bad habits.
Under "Equipment" above you should be able to find plenty of information about reeds and mouthpieces.
Hans
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-12-18 23:25
Looooonnnngg tones.
Drink lots of water while starting up, you're likely to blow yourself dry.
Good reeds can make (or break) a clarinet, so these are a place where you will still need to spend some money.
Make certain your new BT has the leaks sorted out, before your lessons.
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Author: paulwl
Date: 2003-12-19 19:30
I own 2 Balanced-Tones ('35 17/6, '36 18/7) and love them to death. (Caveat: I am a jazz doubler. Many modern classical teachers/players consider the B-T unusable in their idiom. But what are ya gonna do... :-/ )
Mine are happiest with Vandoren mpcs and reeds (usually B40 + V12 #3) and a Bonade ligature.
Historically, I think the Balanced-Tone was the successor to the Radio-Improved model of the mid '30s, and lasted until WW2 cut off supply lines to/from France. After WW2, Selmers appeared without a tradename for awhile. Then came the Centered-Tone in the early 50s.
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