 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Frank
Date: 2000-05-22 20:24
Any of you out there playing on a mixed-match set of Bb and A clarinets? I've had an R-13 Bb for years and am now looking to get an A to go with it. During my bachelors degree I was using the school's Selmer. It was a VERY good horn despite its sharpness in the low chalomeau (sp?). In fact, Russell Dagon complimented me on my tone on the horn.
I found a used Buffet Festival in Oakland that played just wonderfully but I hesitated getting it because it was quite different than my Bb--as was the Selmer.
My question is; have any of you out there reading this successfully matched two different makes or models of A and Bb clarinets? I ask becuase although I like the R-13, there are other makers doing wonderful things, and because A clarinet are sort of a crap-shoot.
Thanks,
Frank
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Author: J. Butler
Date: 2000-05-22 23:24
Don't worry about it. Who is really going to care what kind of A you're playing on. I have an R-13 Bb and a Selmer A. So long as I get the right notes, right rhythms and stay in tune, no one really cares what I play on.
BTW I really like the new Yamaha SEV or is it SVE? I think it is a real bang up clarinet for the money. You could get into an A for a lot less than some of the others with it. I you have a chance try it out.
J. Butler
J. Butler
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Author: Frank
Date: 2000-05-23 00:13
I know that audience and conductor don't care on what horn I play. My concern was whether or not I'm going to run in to voicing problems, back-pressure problems, key-hight issues, etc.
As for the Yamaha: I bought a Yamaha SEA in November '98 and it's only proper venue would have been a stadium or something else equally grandiose! The "up close" tone was quite fuzzy--beyond anything I'd heard before. And I didn't want to spend the time or money searching for the right barrel or repairperson to rectify the problem. I'm not against Yamahas, but they are currently not my first choice.
F
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Author: Megan
Date: 2000-05-23 01:46
Frank,
My Bb is an R13 that is about 6 years older than I am (it's 28) and my A is one that I bought in my second year of university. This year was the first year that I've really played anything on the A and so far I have had no problems switching back and forth between them. Maybe it helps that the A is also an R13. I'm not sure but so far I haven't had any regrets about not having a matched set.
Megan
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Author: William
Date: 2000-05-23 03:10
My advice is, if you can find an A clarinet that playes and sounds good, go with it. The only advantage I have found in having same-brand A & Bb clarinets is that the key action and "feel" of the instruments will be more similar. All clarinets still have their own particular intonation and tone quality variants that you just have to "learn" and deal with. Until recently, I played a R-13 Bb and a Concerto A. I have now purchased a Concerto Bb, as well(for the similar key actions) but still use my R-13 occasionally and have no problems switching back and forth. My symphony partner plays an R-13 Bb and a Yamaha A and sounds great. Hope this rambling helps--good luck.
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Author: larry
Date: 2000-05-24 14:03
I have a new Selmer Sig. Bb and a very old Selmer K series A. I really love them both and enjoy playing them, but they play and feel very differently. The A is actually somewhat less resistant and the tone hole spacing and thumb rest is very different (even accounting for the normal differences between As and Bbs). When I play the A after playing the Bb for some time I find that I have to spend extra time warming up and getting used to the difference. Sometimes a reed that plays beautifully on one instrument may not play perfectly on the other.
It's not a problem since I don't play in an orchestra or pit band where fast switches between the two are necessary. I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be playing this pair in that kind of setting.
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