 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: charlie_star_uk
Date: 2007-04-30 15:43
I am choosing a new instrument... very exciting. I was wondering if any experienced orchestral players had any tips on what to look out for in a good instrument.
I realise an instrument is a very personal choice. But I want something that will be good for orchestral work. I am already looking for good intonation, a resistance in the instrument that lets me play with a big sound, but not too much so it doesn't shout.
Does anybody have any advice on what I should look for?
Thanks,
Charlie
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-30 16:12
Leblanc Concerto or Opus should suit you.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-04-30 16:59
I have tried the Leblanc Opus with Charles Bay H1 MO-L mouthpiece and for me it didn't project well and had the most resistance I have ever felt in a clarinet. I can deffinatly say this since the Bay H1 has very big projection. I also noticed that the sound was VERY smooth which I've come to know is very popular in USA. For me smooth means BORING. So I ended up buying very open Buffet Festival clarinet with big projection edge and roughness to the tone.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2007-04-30 17:10
I vote for the Yamaha CSG. No matter what, you MUST try one before a final decision.......they're also relatively cheap at $2200 US dollars give or take.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2007-04-30 17:12
Iceland clarinet wrote:
> I can deffinatly say
> this since the Bay H1 has very big projection.
No, you can't. What you can say is that on your setup the Bay had a big projection. On this combination the Bay didn't. Obviously the Bay isn't the only variable in the equation; all you can say is that the Bay is capable of what you call big projection.
> So I ended up
> buying very open Buffet Festival clarinet with big projection
> edge and roughness to the tone.
But that's not true of all Festivals, either ...
I'm glad you found a combination you like.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-30 17:17
Charlie - I think John Myatt might still have Yamaha CSGs on special offer at the moment.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-04-30 18:07
Mark that's why I said I ended up buying very open Festival instead of saying that I bought Festival which is very open. I tried another Festival Bb clarinet and it was not nearly as open as the one I ended up buying and I have tried several Festival clarinets from other players and I have to say that mine is a bit different. I tried one Opus when I was choocing instrument and then I played Eddy Vanoosthuyse's Opus clarinet and they were very similar too smooth and projected very little. He was always talking about how the Opus is such a great instrument and that he has been promoting them for Leblanc and made a sample cd for them and stuff so I was very astonished to see that he nows play the Buffet Tosca clarinets which I find very different from the Leblanc.
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Author: Tony Pay ★2017
Date: 2007-04-30 18:25
Iceland clarinet wrote:
>>He was always talking about how the Opus is such a great instrument and that he has been promoting them for Leblanc and made a sample cd for them and stuff so I was very astonished to see that he nows play the Buffet Tosca clarinets which I find very different from the Leblanc.>>
Ah well, sometimes you get fed up with coping with the problems of a given instrument. You'd like the problems somewhere else for a change.....
Tony
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2007-04-30 18:29
Tony Pay wrote:
> Ah well, sometimes you get fed up with coping with the problems
> of a given instrument. You'd like the problems somewhere else
> for a change.....
It's true with every tool, isn't it? Just like all the computer languages I've used over the years 
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2007-04-30 19:19
Tony,
What a wonderful way of expressing why musicians are always willing(?) to buy new gear! I'm thinking this is also why we are always looking for more stuff. It's a very logical way to explain G.A.S. too!
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Author: Bubalooy
Date: 2007-04-30 19:49
I have a question about projection. How does a player know if he or she is projecting well. Can the player sit in the back of a hall and here the projection of an instrument that they are playing at the same time? It leads to a question of projection or volume, which of course has all kinds of problems because we wonder how can you have one without the other. I haven't played the Leblanc Opus, I have heard from several sources it doesn't project as well as the Buffets, but again I wonder, how does a player know? For me, I doubt that I'll ever play in a venue where the difference of projection is something I need to consider so I look for things like uniformity of sound throughout the range of the instrument, but I'm leaving my origianal question I guess. How do you really know if you are projecting or not?
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Author: glin
Date: 2007-04-30 20:16
If you access to a hall, have some good clarinet friends/teachers in the seats, and have multiple clarinets to try out... that's where I would start.
Form an opinion on your own for each clarinet. Does it produce a sound that will carry in your mind or does it lack that strength. Try to do it blindfolded in order not to be biased. Compare your results with your advisors. Lean on the advisors since they are giving you their perspective both as clarinetists and listeners in the audience.
You'll never know. So don't figure on not needing projection-you just might have that important solo that needs to cut through an orchestra.
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Author: charlie_star_uk
Date: 2007-04-30 20:28
I want a Buffet...
I think I am heading towards an R13... prob Prestige...
Sorry to be boring.
It is more advice about projection and brightness of tone I wanted advice on. It is tempting to go for a rich dark tone... but what about when you need the brightness? Too bright and you can't blend, or get away from your sound!
I have a couple on approval.. but am not sure how to trust if it is the right one... maybe I will let someone else have a go!
Charlie
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2007-05-01 14:25
I'm a little late reading this thread and perhaps you have already purchased a new clarinet, but here are my thoughts:
1. Play as many as you possibly can of each model (Buffet R-13, Leblanc Opus, etc.) and compare each with matching models and get the best of each category. Then compare the best of each category to each other. The best R-13 to the best Leblanc, Yamaha, Selmer, etc.
2. Take your time. It may take longer than one day at the dealer's. Try the best you can afford. Ask the dealer about the reputation of each instrument. Which ones have the least problems, etc.
3. If possible, try each clarinet with the same mouthpiece, reed, ligature set-up.
4. Use a tuner to test the intonation up and down the scale.
5. Take a piece of your current music and practice passages with each finalist in the best instrument category.
6. Be sure your new selection has a good warranty and the dealership is a reputable one in case you have problems.
7. Ask about the technicians and be sure what the plan will be in case of a problem. You might even need some fine tuning of the instrument before you purchase it.
8. When you make a decision, ask the dealer to let you purchase it on a trial basis (say 10 to 30 days). This may not be possible at some stores.
These are some of the things that I do when purchasing a new instrument. They work for me.
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Author: charlie_star_uk
Date: 2007-05-01 16:12
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for your reply.
I am planning on taking my time choosing. I have a couple on approval but am not happy with them.
I am pretty much settled on Buffet R13 and I know there are some good ones out there!
I play professionally (on a good day) so feel confident of my ability to assess tuning, tone etc. on a certain level...
I am really wondering about the finer points of tone to suit playing in a symphony orchestra... but I guess the only way to tell is by playing them in one! I tend to go for instruments with a warm but small sound as I am practising in a small room! I need to buy myself a concert hall first!
Maybe I will go to Paris where they get the first pick of the instruments of the production line...
Thanks again
Charlie
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