 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: William
Date: 2008-08-28 21:29
How many of you Buffet players--if any--use a Bb bell on their A clarinets. I recently acquired a R13A (98XXX) and, just yesterday, discovered its bell is really a Bb. It plays marvelously--in tune with ring in the sound, etc--just the way it is, so why should I worry?? Just wondering if this is a common practice among the real pros of this BB--or a "no-no"......
And I know, to paraphrase Duke Ellington, "If it sounds [plays] good, it is good". JJM, how about the NYC clarinetists??
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2008-08-28 22:28
Main difference is in length, the Bb bell is about 2mm shorter than the A. Would have some effect on E/B tuning but if it sound in tune to you then thats what matters.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: donald
Date: 2008-08-29 06:04
I believe that the B flat R13 bell has a slightly smaller bore diameter at the socket and thus slightly more "choke" (this can make the upper register feel slightly more resistant, with a slightly "thicker" sound an feel, but can also make the lowest 3 notes feel stuffy). I have previously played my A clarinet with the B flat bell (did anyone hear me at Clarinetfest 2003?) but don't do so on my current a clarinet.
The difference CAN be very noticable, or so slight as to be debatable that there even IS a difference. This of course depends on the player as much as the Clarinet.
dn
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: C2thew
Date: 2008-08-29 22:39
the bell basically rounds out your sound. An A clarinet has a longer bell to keep that mellow resonance that the Bb clarinet doesn't really do.
but like you said, if it plays good, nobody is going to run on stage and point at you with an exclamation "hey this guy is playing a Bb clarinet with a A bell!!"
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-08-29 23:46
Hey, if it works well and is in tune, go for it. Who cares what key it's in? I use a Backun bell on all my clarinets. ESP
www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 Listen to a little Mozart
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: IanH
Date: 2008-08-31 20:00
Hi. I played on Buffet S1s for quite a few years. B over the break was sharp on the Bb clarinet and flat on the A. I swapped the bells over one day and never put them back. Worked beautifully! And before anyone suggests I'm stupid, they weren't on the wrong way in the first place.... IanH.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
