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The Forté Clarinet - a review

Author: GBK
Date: 2004-05-04 01:58

Dr. Omar Henderson (best known to bulletin board members as "The Doctor") has recently branched out, formed the Forté Instrument Group and has now developed a student line instrument of which I was recently given a prototype version to test. This new clarinet seeks to incorporate "mechanical and functional changes" for the sole purpose of making a clarinet that finally addresses the common shortfalls that plague most student quality instruments.

The new Forté clarinet can be viewed in detail at the website http://www.forteclarinet.com.

My initial impression of this prototype is that this will be a most exciting advancement over what is current available from any other manufacturer of student line instruments.

No detail has been left to chance:

1. Keys have been ergonomically designed and are very user friendly.

2. The "No-Jam bridge key is an ingenious idea which totally eliminates the possibility of a student assembling the clarinet incorrectly and doing damage to the bridge area.

3. The Sure Optical Fit Alignment System (SOFAS) guarantees that the clarinet will be assembled and aligned perfectly each and every time.

4. Key supports for the low E and side trill keys have been fortified to eliminate the possibility of bent rods.

5. Undercut tone holes and a .575" polycylindrical bore.

6. Nylon pin style lever connections for the LH E/B and F#/C# keys.

7. All natural corks on the tenons and keys.

8. A bell resonance vent to help with the response and tuning of E/B and F/C.

9. A Moennig inspired barrel which helps with tuning, focus and intonation of the throat tones.

10. The mouthpiece provided is a Gennusa GE*3 (an exceptionally fine mouthpiece for a student line clarinet). A fabric ligature is also included.

11. A comfortable adjustable thumb rest

Review:

Playing - The clarinet, while still in prototype version, plays exceptionally easy with excellent intonation. I used some of my own mouthpieces (Kaspar, Borbeck, Vandoren crystal) as well as the enclosed Gennusa mouthpiece. All were compatible and kept the tuning very much in control. With the enclosed mouthpiece and barrel the clarinet plays A=442. The key action is quiet, secure and definitely will be friendly to young students. The combination of the Gennusa mouthpiece and Moennig style barrel nicely focuses the throat register while delivering a warm, responsive sound. The undercut tone holes greatly help with the intonation. Tuning was precise and there were no notes wildly out of tune or out of character.

Construction - This is a very solid feeling clarinet which will certainly withstand the rigors of beginning students. The bridge key design (which can be viewed in detail on the web site) is an innovation which is long overdue. Key quality, springs, rods, and pads (waterproof white kid leather) all seem to be much better than are normally seen in student line instruments. My impression is that this is a clarinet that will stay in adjustment far longer than most (if not all) clarinets currently available.

Extras - The case is light weight, yet very smart and functional. The clarinet sits nestled snugly in a foam injected velvet type material (very similar to a BAM style case). It has a separate music pocket, shoulder strap, and is secured by zippers, not clasps. I am told that other accessories will be Gonzalez reeds, Doctors product cork grease and a silk swab.

An additional exciting optional feature of the clarinet is the "Power Barrel". This barrel has a revolutionary design (pat. pending) which adds projection and volume to the sound (Yes - I know it sounds unbelieveable, but it works!) It is meant specifically to be used in outdoor situations (like marching bands) where clarinets struggle to be heard. It delivers a loud, full sound due to the concave cone shape and a nickel plated brass sleeve with resonance ports. As explained to me by the Doctor, the reason for the increase in sound is due to the resonance ports which allow amplification of the even harmonic series and give a perceived increase in power of 12-15 dB.

Assessment:

My overall impression is really one word: "Finally".

Finally someone has addressed the weaknesses found in student line clarinets and solved the problems in a logical, innovative way, while improving the over all product. This is going to be an exciting new entry into the clarinet market and one which will definitely get the attention of the "Big 4" as to design changes. I played this prototype for many hours and felt totally at home with it and although ideal for inclement weather or outdoor situations, I would have no problem playing it in any professional setting. It is a clarinet that certainly does not feel or play like any student line instrument currently available. I eagerly await the finished product.

Disclaimer - Dr. Omar Henderson has solicited a few selected professional clarinetists and teachers for their input in the final testing phase of the Forté clarinet. Their reviews and comments are also on the Forté clarinet site. We were not paid and received no professional remuneration or consideration. It was a pleasure to be a part of the design and testing phase of this instrument.

I wish him and his new Forté clarinet well ...GBK