 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ashadazle
Date: 2005-06-30 16:47
The clarinet technician I took my new clarinet to told me that it was technically a jazz clarinet. I wasn't sure about what he meant. What makes a clarinet specifically for jazz? Would playing a "jazz clarinet" an a concert orchestra affect anything?
-Ashley
*Bright sound enthusiast
Post Edited (2005-06-30 16:47)
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-06-30 17:58
Playing jazz on it makes it a jazz clarinet. There is no reason why with a typical classical setup (ligature, reed, mouthpiece, barrel) you can't play the instrument in your orchestra.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2005-06-30 19:06
Hi ashadazle:
You ask:
"Would playing a "jazz clarinet" an a concert orchestra affect anything?"
I certainly hope not! I've been using the same old Buffet R-13 for 35+ years here in NYC on classical, commercial, and jazz gigs. So far, the clarinet seems to know what to do...it behaves itself in classical settings, never squeaks in a recording session, and goes a little wild when in a jazz club.
Seriously, one great clarinet should do just fine for any application. Find a horn you like, have it serviced well, get a good, reliable setup, and go for it!
Just have fun, forget the equipment.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2005-06-30 19:47
>>>The clarinet technician I took my new clarinet to told me that it was technically a jazz clarinet.
Ashley,
Joking aside, I think that everyone would love to know what he meant.
Any chance you could ask him?
Steve
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2005-06-30 20:04
Surely there are a few clarinet designs manufactured - or at least marketed - as specifically for jazz. The Leblanc "Pete Fountain" model comes to mind. Whether Ashley has any such instrument is another matter...
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-06-30 20:31
When you can finally do 32 bars to "Ain't Misbehavin" you're playing a jazz instrument ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) ...GBK
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Author: ken
Date: 2005-06-30 23:50
I'd like to bring this tech my 1969 6th grade, beat to crap, cracked and crazy glued together plastic Vito and say, "Here, I want you to fix my jazz clarinet" ...see what they says to that. On my last 3 trad jazz small group CDs I used a 1995 Leblanc Opus (except one tune back to my trusty 1973 134xxx R-13 to play a full, triple D natural.)
The musician makes the instrument not the other way around. v/r Ken
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Author: ned
Date: 2005-07-01 00:19
""Surely there are a few clarinet designs manufactured - or at least marketed - as specifically for jazz.''
I think the word ''marketed'' is the key. You could probably play jazz on the ''$5'' clarinet too, if you had a mind.
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Author: cujo
Date: 2005-07-01 03:37
He might possibly mean the way the instrument is setup and not the instrument itself.
I know jazz sax players prefer higher key heights to accomodate thier interesting playing techniques.
Lower key heights give the player more control of better tone quality. Also lower key heights require less air movement to play a note in tune.
Some mouthpieces are specifcally marketed for jazz players with overly large tip openings. While classical mouthpieces have smaller.
Of course you can use any mouthpiece for any reason but can see why some are marketed to different styles of playing.
If he says its technically a jazz instrument he probably means the key heights are slighty higher than usual. This should not be a problem, you will only need to use a little more air to play in tune.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-07-01 04:18
The 10 ways you know you have a jazz clarinet:
10. Your repair tech tells you that "technically, your instrument is a jazz clarinet."
9. Your keys are gold plated.
8. You sound more like Acker Bilk than Larry Combs.
7. The serial number is 1012626.
6. You are 95% confident that if you play a B in the middle of the staff, the note that sounds will be 440 +/- 90 cents.
5. Every piece you play sounds like "Bill Bailey"
4. Everytime you play, Benny Goodman's ghost pops out of your bell and steals your reed.
3. There is a naked lady engraved on your bell.
2. Your barrel was once a section of the Holland Tunnel.
1. The logo on your imported instrument says: "Jazz Clarinet"
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: DH818
Date: 2005-07-01 23:54
One of my best customers is a well known jazz clarinetist who can distinguish, or at least he says he can, between the tonal qualities of modern instruments and the 1920's and 30's Selmers he prefers. I will add that I'll keep rebuilding them as long as he'll keep buying them. I have in the past sent him some different instruments to try and he'll occasionally buy one, but when it's time to go to work you'll see him pull out the old K series.
Donald C Hinson
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Author: Avie
Date: 2005-07-02 02:58
Jazz clarinets usually have a bore approx .010-.015 dia. larger than other popular models.
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Author: ned
Date: 2005-07-02 04:25
""a well known jazz clarinetist who can distinguish, or at least he says he can, between the tonal qualities of modern instruments and the 1920's and 30's ''
I don't doubt this, but it still does not necessarily mean there is difference between a ''jazz'' clarinet or ''any other'' clarinet. Tonal quality is one issue, the notes coming out of the instrument is another and, a totally unrelated one at that.
One can make this generalisation with any instrument and say it's jazz or classical, or whatever, but it's bunkum.
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Author: DH818
Date: 2005-07-02 11:45
The main point I was trying to make is personal preference...if the artist believes he has the best instrument for the job, then he does. They will be more comfortable and it will reflect musically.
Donald C Hinson
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-07-02 21:56
Technically, I think yours is #11 David, If you look closely, you'll see I already had Clarnibass' entry covered. ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Fred
Date: 2005-07-03 01:28
I'm curious to know what model clarinet was pronounced a "jazz clarinet".
However, I'm not quite a skeptical about the concept of a jazz clarinet as some of the other posters. When I think Conn 424/444, I think jazz clarinet. Same for the Pete Fountain model at 15.00 mm. And as for marketing, there was the Buffet Jazz Festival and the Super Dynaction - both designated by Buffet as jazz clarinets. And compared to today's offerings by Selmer, the Centered Tone, Balanced Tone, and Series 9 are favored in jazz circles. Not to mention the Conn and Silver King metal clarinets.
Of course, I realize that folks like JJM can play better jazz clarinet on a tonette than I could on any of the above. The clarinet is remarkably versatile in design. I wonder . . . aside from Pete Fountain's playing big bore Leblancs, could we list what clarinets are played by players that play jazz (or some non-classical venue) exclusively? Might be interesting.
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