 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chalumeau Joe
Date: 2008-02-07 01:36
I purchased a new C clarinet several months ago and it still doesn't seem as "natural" to me as my Bb R-13. In particular, the biggest problems I'm experiencing are:
- Significantly increased resistance
- Fuzzier tones
- Very frequent tone "cracking"
I've tried several different mp/lig/reed set-ups, (and yes, I've got mps that are made specifically for C clarinets) but haven't found one that even comes close to the comfort I have with my Bb horn, even on those "bad reed days."
I contacted the manufacturer and he said this particular horn would benefit from a harder reed. I normally play a VD#3, so I went up to a #4, with no obvious difference. I've also tried several different ligs (leather, metal, etc.); again, no change.
I suspect the problem IS NOT with the mp set-up, since changing it seems to have the least amount of variation to the sound. I knew to expect a slightly brighter sound from a C horn, but the other problems I'm experiencing are HIGHLY disappointing.
I'm taking the horn to the shop this week to have it looked at. I've tested it for air leaks (doesn't seem to have any) and there don't seem to be any other mechanical or set-up problems in fact, the mechanism seems to work beautifully), so perhaps the problem is with me. What's a reasonable break-in period when switching from Bb to C? While I certainly didn't expect the C clarinet to sound as mellifluous as my R-13 that cost 4x as much, I also didn't expect it to be so temperamental.
Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated, because if I can't make a go of it, then it's off the the auction sites.
Thanks,
Joe
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Author: azuka
Date: 2008-02-07 01:46
Hi Joe. Well, would you mind telling us who made the C clarinet?
I've owned several C clarinets without the difficulties that you're encountering. One was a 1920's hard rubber Conn in C, but now I have a LeBlanc LL model, and it is just fine. When I get some breathing room, I plan on getting a mouthpiece made for C clarinets, as I seem to run a bit flat with a standard mouthpiece.
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Author: Omega Klez
Date: 2008-02-07 02:27
Hi Joe,
I have a Buffet E11 C clarinet & added Clark Fobes barrel which helped intonation a little. Intonation is the big issue w/the C. Sometimes squeaking too because C's are so responsive, that it's easy to overdo the embrochure.
Finger placement is more challenging on the C - the keys/tone holes are squished close together. Sometimes I get fuzziness when I slightly move off a tone hole or 'lean on' a key that shouldn't be open. I have to be really precise....And I have small hands; I can imagine the trouble big-handed people must have!
My C is more resistant than my Bb. The C's I've played seem to be.
I hear C mp's don't exist. I never touched the mp that came w/my C until the other day when I noticed it is a bit shorter than my other mp's. So I tried it & a lot of squeaking/intonation problems went away. I dunno, maybe the mp that came with it is actually a good one.
I use Vandooren 2.5 V12 reeds & a "dark" sound leather lig.
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Author: William
Date: 2008-02-07 02:42
I play a Buffet E-11 C clarinet with a Chadash barrel and my regular Bb/A Kaspar mouthpiece. Intonation is good with a relatively even scale and experiance none of the problems you mentioned above. Perhaps it is a matter of key, pad adjustment or it is just one of "those" clarinets. The C and Eb clarinets should be quite free blowing and kind of fun to play--at least, that is my experiance.
BTW--Walter Grabner makes a mouthpiece especially for the C clarinet. Hav'nt tried one as yet, but knowing Walters other products, it should be pretty good.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-02-07 02:58
Omega Klez wrote:
> I hear C mp's don't exist
They are made by Ralph Morgan, Walter Grabner, and others...GBK
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2008-02-07 03:06
I have been playing the forte C for a while now and am very happy. Check that the pads seal well, if you have a leak you will experience the type of problems you are talking about.
I played Rosenkavalier on it as well as Luisa miller overture some strauss waltz and I just came back from a concert where a friend of mine played it for symphonie fantastique with great results.
Ask if you can send it back for a pad check.
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2008-02-07 03:29
Yo Joe, I see you're in Ellicott City, look me up. I have an awesome C clarinet. It's a buffet RC. Totally pimped in Vancouver. And It plays better than most Buffet Bbs I've played. The Trouble most people have with switching to C clarinet is that they almost always play a C that's inferior to their main clarinets. That doesn't work for playing it in an opera, or a klezmer gig for that matter. Most of the other problems stem from a lack of a tonal concept for a C clarinet. I find it has a much denser tone than the Bb, not really brighter but more compact. And like Eb clarinet any problem you might have with biting or muscling the clarinet is exasperated on a C.
Tom Puwalski, former soloist with the US Army Field Band, Clarinetist with The Atonement, and Author of "The Clarinetist's Guide to Klezmer"and most recently by the order of the wizard of Oz, for supreme intelligence, a Masters in Clarinet performance. Check out the Atonement's music on Facebook
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2008-02-07 15:17
My C clarinet, a Leblanc Esprit model, is very free blowing. Even more free blowing than my Bb Leblanc LL, which is pretty free blowing. Ergonomics and finger positioning are more comfortable on the C. And the lighter weight makes it easier to play for long periods of time. The Bb clarinet for me is a real load. Tone of the C is a little brighter than on the Bb but this is okay for the folk and fiddle music I play on it. I use a Ralph Morgan jazz model Bb mouthpiece which plays pretty well in tune if the piece and the barrel are pushed all the way in. No room at all to tune sharp, but this is only a problem when playing with fixed pitch instruments like piano. I was surprised to read the post above describing problems with increased resistance, fuzzy tone, etc. I've never experienced any of this on my C Esprit. My guess is that that particular C clarinet is just not a very good horn or maybe has adjustment issues. I would reccomend the C Esprit except that Leblanc dropped the Esprits from their line along with the venerable LL. But most of the big makers offer at least one model of C clarinet. I would think that some are very good (and expensive). My Esprit was under 2K and I consider it one of the best values I've ever gotten in a horn. It's a shame Leblanc dropped it.
Post Edited (2008-02-07 15:19)
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Author: Omega Klez
Date: 2008-02-07 16:00
I've heard of the Grabner mp's. The intonation probs he focuses on are different from what I was having....but not anymore because of switching to the mp that came w/my horn. I hear that a more closed mp works better for C's.
My c has some resistance, but it's fun to play & I have no probs getting good tone. I was only comparing to my Selmer Omega Bb.
I love the C & have been working on a Schubert lieder with it; the pianist requested my C clarinet for this piece.
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Author: susieray
Date: 2008-02-08 01:58
I've played Forte C clarinets at ClarinetFests in Atlanta and Vancouver and neither of the ones I played seemed especially resistant to me at all.
I own a Leblanc LL in C, and a nice Ridenour C, and if anything they seem LESS resistant than my Bb's.
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2008-02-08 04:55
Write Omar and ask him to take a look at it. I've always found him to be good to work with.
Chris
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