 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ariel3
Date: 2004-09-19 21:32
I am one of the few souls who converted to the Mazzeo school about thirty years ago. I was just wondering if there was still much of a following now since his concept never did catch on in the professional world. I play Selmer Mazzeo Series 10's and and love the horns. I often muse to myself over the fact that possibly the throat b-flat is my most favorite note, rather than the most despised, especially when playing the last note in the Adagio of the Brahm's Sonata in F-minor.
Perhaps the Mazzeo system did not "make it", but because of wonderful people like him, we are blessed with a beautiful instrument and a wonderful legacy.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-09-19 22:22
What a fine tribute, ariel3, to a great cl'ist and innovator-inventor of [at least] 5 US Patents, #'s on request. I have seen a full-blown M Selmer at USD Vermillion, sure would like to own more "horn" than just my Bundy, [having only the Bb and bell improvements]. I presume you know of Brymer's discussion/comments, others [?our BB?] as well? I also have curiousity re: cl improvements, have a Stubbins and McIntyre and several intriguing patents, however their commercialization is not known to me ! TKS for this thread. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2004-09-19 23:26
I saw a McIntyre Leblanc a few weeks ago and it puzzled the heck out of me for like 5 seconds until i understood what had been moved around.
Bradley
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-09-20 00:36
Hi,
I have a Bundy Mazzeo clarinet for use in outdoor weather settings where I do not want to use one of my good clarinets (R13, L200, Series 9*).
I don't use the clarinet much otherwise since I use the RH down technique when going down below the break to G, G#, A, or Bb and back. Since you are a Mazzeo user, you know that I get some unwanted Bb's that way.
I think the covered thumb hole is somethings that all clarinets should have particularily a student instrument used by small hands.
HRL
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Author: ariel3
Date: 2004-09-20 01:38
Hi, I appreciated your comments. I am reminded of my transition over to the Mazzeo system. The covered thumb key felt a bit strange at first - made it feel like a "fat upper joint", but once I was accustomed to the feel, there was no problem. You are correct; it is great for small thumbs of the younger student.
As to the "right hand down" method you refer to - Ah yes, I can relate to that. How I wish I could leave the right hand down while playing the left hand throat tones. That is a big drawback.
Another advantage to the Mazzeo system is the "false" throat A. By simply pressing any of the ring keys alone or together, etc, you get a somewhat fuzzy A. But what the heck. If the note is going to happen quickly - and is awkward to get to, I use the false A. So - I have perfect B flats !
One feature the pro Mazzeo models have is a clutch that you can engage to throw the clarinet into a regular boehm system. This was provided for the professional who wanted to switch over, but did not want to "trust" his skills during a performance until he/she was ready. The student model did not have this clutch since they were learning the system.
Perhaps the biggest reason the system never caught on was the fact that there were no teachers out there that knew wnat it was all about, and you have to have a following before you can "sell the product"
Post Edited (2004-09-20 01:48)
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Author: donald
Date: 2004-09-21 03:47
hey- i'd love a Mazzeo system clarinet
IF i could get an R13 mazzeo, or a Yamaha
it's just that i'm not that keen on Selmer instruments.
the only time i've ever seen a Mazzeo here in NZ was a plastic Bundy one that needed repairs, and a violin player showed it to me because the local tech (not Gordon) had said he wouldn't touch it because he had no idea what it was suposed to do.
actually, i recomended that she go to Gordon, but never heard any more. i doubt he's ever seen a Mazzeo system clarinet, but i'm sure he could work out how to repair one.
i had a play on one in the US years ago, and really liked it- yeah, it was a pity not to be able to use resonance fingerings/"RH down" for the throat A (but as far as i remember, you could for the Bflat....), but then i know professional clarinet players who claim they "never muck around with that stuff" (admitedly, not proffessional players that i respect particuarly...)
donald
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2004-09-27 01:27
I only ran into one Bundy Mazzeo horn, and it too had the "clutch" mechanism. I know this was the case since the horn (very well used) was missing the little "nail' that made the clutch work. Without same, it played like a slightly more in tune bearer of the George Bundy name...not the best endorsement, in my eyes.
I jerry rigged it for a trial, and didn't think that the utility was worth the price for a entry level horn. If I had been able to get the up end version, I probably would have bought it.
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Author: baggs
Date: 2005-01-08 23:27
I too, am in love with both my Mazzeo clarinets. I have been playing them since the mid 60s. My biggest fear is something happening to them and then not being able to find replacements.
Has anyone had any success in having the Mazzeo system placed upon a new Selmer, Yamaha or Buffet? I have tried the Selmer factory but they don't do the work anymore.
It's nice to know that in the Metropoliten Museum in New York, the full blown Mazzeo Series 10 is standing next to Benny Goodman's clarinet.
I had the pleasure of talking with Mr. Mazzeo at the MENC convention in Chicago in the early 70s. What a treat, and what a personable man!
Baggs
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-01-09 14:37
Its always of interest [to me at least] to see a thread revisited. Sadly, many [most?] cl key improvements/additions/changes initially attract much attention, do get tried by some players, and then our resistance to change, desire for simplicity/reliability, and some stubbornness dominate and "they" become museum pieces. Solutions, comments ?? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: mystery science dieter
Date: 2005-01-09 14:49
The reason the system didn't catch on is that it didn't make any 'improvements' that learning to play properly didn't accomplish more effectively.
Listen to Robert Marcellus or Harold Wright play a throat b flat. It sounds wonderful, because they knew how to play. If they can do it on a 'regular, unimproved' boehm clarinet, so theoretically could anyone else.
Without question, 'improvements' to clarinets such as these mechanisms also come with drawbacks. That is why they don't become standard. The throat bflat mechanisms I have seen not only don't improve the sound of that note, but they become a technical liability and a new coordination problem. Not to mention the added weight.
The fact is the instrument is imperfect. When you hear it played perfectly, it is a miracle. Lots of hard work goes into making miracles.
I used to wish there was some way to create a mechanism to make low e to f#/long b to c# automatically cleaner. Then I played more scales. Now I don't worry about that any more.
That said, the alternate aflat/eflat key is something I wouldn't mind having.
Post Edited (2005-01-09 14:55)
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2005-01-09 16:50
Don't shoot!
I did a cursory search both here and on the open net to find a decent photo of a Mazzeo clar, but not wholly successful.
No huge differences - covered thumb hole (therefore an alt Bb mechanism) and rimless bell . Is that it or is there more subtlety to be had ?
For those of us (heathens - neveretheless interested), can you help with a decent pic/description ?
I will look back my CASS of GB magazines as I think there was a fair sized editorial covering Mazzeo clars.
Cheers,
BobT
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-01-09 18:18
BobT,
Do a Google Image search with Mazzeo and Clarinet as your key words and you'll have plenty.
Also check the Shrine of Music Museum at the University of South Dakota at
http://www.usd.edu/smm/
HRL
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