 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rene
Date: 2000-06-17 08:59
Since some months I have an old 1970 Meindl Clarinet (from Wernitzgrün in former GDR), redone. It is not really a master clarinet (the repairsman put it mildly), and I am fighting some of its shortcomings (along with mine). I play it with a new mp I bought.
Recently I had the chance to try a realatively new Yamaha YCL-457-22 which sells for 1500 DM (2800 DM new). Took it home and played it for a while. But all my family voted against it, and so did I. I tried my mp and barrel and theirs (original Yamaha). But the tone was definitely inferior, even more with the Yamaha mp. In all range the sound was not as definite and less pleasant (really hard to describe, but since we all agreed, I believe the difference is there).
While this restores my trust in my clarinet, and convinces me that the clarinet plays a role too, I was wandering, what could have happened. Was it my playing, is the Yamaha worse, is my mp or Barrel fitting badly, or could this model be demaged (I couldnot find any fault, and the difference was throughout the range), or is it a matter of taste? Any suggestions or ideas?
How much would I have to spend for a really good clarinet?
Rene.
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-06-17 13:03
it may not be a matter of money, but finding the horn that speaks to you. I'm sure that you have read that there are differances between clarinets within the same model by the same maker. it a journey. have fun in the hunt.
There may be nothing wrong with you present horn. The grass is not always greener on the other side.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-06-17 15:40
There are many possibilities. Due to the nature of sound waves and the requirements of music, it is not possible to design a perfect clarinet. Every clarinet maker chooses what compromises to use in their designs to meet the preferences of their customers.
For example, the bore of these two clarinets is probably different. This makes them play differently and sound different. You are used to the Meindl. Now a more experienced player could probably get the Yamaha to sound the same but you are not at that stage yet. The experienced player would possibly be able to describe what he/she has to do differently with embouchure, air support, etc.
Even in the same brand and model, instruments can play differently. Although Yamaha is probably more consistent than most, small manufacturing differences can add up. It is not possible to make every instrument exactly the same. This is why many people will try more than one instrument of the same brand and model. Even though none are defective, one might sound much better and another might sound much worse.
Some instruments are designed to be easier to blow. Most beginner instruments fall into this category. This sometimes results in a different sound quality or some tuning problems. Some instruments are designed to be as accurate as possible with a pleasing sound. This may result in an instrument that is harder to blow. The effect on a beginner is that they don't give it enough air support and even though the instrument sounds great for a professional, it sounds weak in the hands of a beginner.
There are many more things that could account for the differences in sound.
If I remember correctly, you have only been playing for a few months. Unless your Meindl is causing serious problems for you, I would recommend that you wait until you have played a year or even two before upgrading. If you must upgrade at this time, try to get help from an experienced player or teacher. Listen to them play it and other instruments. When you purchase a new instrument, expect to take some time to get used to the differences between your old instrument and new instrument.
I don't know what other brands may be available there in Germany but try some others. Here in the US, the favored brands are Buffet, Leblanc, Selmer, and Yamaha plus a few custom makers.
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Author: Rene
Date: 2000-06-18 18:34
Thanks,
I new I'd get that advice. And of course, your are right. It needs more experience than mine to judge an instrument.
However, I just missed an opportunity to get a better instrument from a brand with good reputation for half the normal price. OK, forget it.
And finally, of course, I stick with the Meindl, and put responsibility for tone deficiencies to ME first of all. I recently heard a street player playing an impossible old horn. But I admired and enjoyed everything he played.
Rene
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-06-18 19:57
Rene if you can find a great deal on another horn go for it. Thats why i have five. Can't pass up a deal. Stay away from ebay--I'm an ebay junkie.
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Author: paul
Date: 2000-06-19 15:22
Rene:
I played a Yamaha YCL-52 (intermediate grade) clarinet as an adult novice for a couple of years. I bought it after I played at least another clarinet for comparison. At the time, the Yamaha YCL-52 was easier to play than the Buffet E-11, and the price was a little less. The tone was a bit bland, but it played in tune and it was very forgiving of a beginner's mistakes, especially with sloppy fingerings. I personally found that the more I learned how to play the clarinet, the more fun I had playing it. Eventually, I stepped up to a pro grade clarinet, but as Dee mentioned above, the pro grade horn took a lot more hard work than I thought. There are times I still miss the more forgiving Yamaha intermediate horn.
I hope that you continue to learn how to play the clarinet, even with the horn you have now. It's okay to keep looking for a better horn, too. Have fun shopping!
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Author: Mario
Date: 2000-06-20 15:39
Actually, things are more complicated than that. We all have an inner ear with a pre-conceived idea as to how the clarinet is played, sounds, responds, etc. By far the greatest contributor to what we produce comes from this internal mental model.
It might be argued that one should spend as much time developping this mental model (structured listening is the key skill here) as practicing proper (which, at the end, only train muscles to converge to the mental model contained in our brain). In other words, the inner ear (the brain) needs as much training as the muscles of the body.
So, what happens when somebody gets a new set-up of a much better quality is that you get an instant improvement (since the muscles remain as before). But then the brain takes over and gradually, over a few days, adjust the muscles to comply to the model contained in the inner brain and heard mentally. So, you get back to your original starting point, maybe a little better, but still essentially stuck at the level you had before.
One needs a collection of great CD, a good sound system, and quality time listening in a structured fashion (with a purpose, paying attention, taking mental and paper notes, comparing your own playing with what you just heard, doing it all over). It could be argued that spending money on this will improve performance faster than just buying a new horn.
A great horn will help only with the brain is ready. Before that, it is less obvious. There is no silver bullet.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2000-06-21 07:54
I guess you and your family prefer dark tones.
There are several.
Wuritzer(Deuthland)
Hanmerschmidt(Wien)
Schwenk and Seggelke(Bamberg)
Selmer Signature(Dark tones,very good intonation)
Selmer Recital(small bore French clarinet)
Buffet R-13(selection skillness is very required for this)
Above list is roughly in the order of prices.
As to mouthpiece, typical german ones have angled wall,not parallel.
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