 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: malanr
Date: 2008-10-28 18:22
I have a question for all of you that play on a Clarinet that is classified as an "Intermediate" or "Professional"
In your opinion, what do you see as the differences?
Dilemma, I play on my original Student Model Selmer Signet 100. (Had is since 6th grade band). I played this all through high school and in some Musical productions after. I'm playing again after a few years of not playing and I'm interested in going back to school. I have thought about purchasing an intermediate or professional horn, but all of the horns i have tested, Yamaha's, Selmer's, Buffett's, a couple of Leblanc, I have not found one that plays and sounds as good as my old student horn.
Is this a bias to my skill? or did i get lucky and have a clarinet that is perfect from tuning from the bottom to the top, and in color?
I have made my own adjustments to bent keys and keys that didn't want to seal well after an overhaul.
I need help in telling the difference.
Matt
Just another muscian
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Author: NorbertTheParrot
Date: 2008-10-28 18:41
Now, this is not quite answering your question, but I'd like to suggest a couple of things to think about:
1. Every clarinet needs to be played a little bit differently to get the best out of it. You have got really good at playing your own clarinet to get the best out if it. When you pick up another clarinet, which has different quirks, you don't instantly know how to play it to get the best out of it. So you sound worse on the "good" clarinet than on your old one.
2. You are used to the sound of your old clarinet. To you, that is what a clarinet should sound like. Play something else, it sounds different, and to you, different equals worse. When you say "I have not found one that plays and sounds as good as my old student horn", are you talking about how it sounds to you, or how it sounds to anyone else listening to you?
.........
Also, and this is a different issue entirely, where have you tried all these other clarinets? Have you tried them in a shop that is not setting them up properly, or maybe (perish the thought) where the staff think you are a mug and are hoping you'll buy one of the lousy clarinets nobody else will touch? Or have you tried playing the clarinets of esteemed colleagues?
Conversely, have you asked an esteemed colleague to play your old clarinet? If it's one in a million, they'll tell you so!
Post Edited (2008-10-28 18:43)
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Author: donald
Date: 2008-10-28 20:11
Just a question for Matt...
when you tried out the other clarinets did you use the mouthpiece you are used to, or did you use the plastic/junk mouthpieces that come with the new instrument?
dn
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Author: malanr
Date: 2008-10-28 20:33
I used my LC1 and the V12 reeds I have been using.
I guess, after seeing the post from NorbertTheParrot, I guess I just didn't have the response that I expected to get from a clarinet that listed for $1300-$2300. I guess I expected the instrument to play easier, ie. crossing the break from Bb to B. Felt the same as my old clarinet.
I've been reading about the Ridneour clarinet, but I would like to know if anyone has played on one. I'm not fond of synthetic instruments, but that could change.
thanks
Just another muscian
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2008-10-29 09:25
> In your opinion, what do you see as the differences?
Well, when I went shopping I had an idea of how I wanted to sound in my head. And when I picked up the one I eventually bought, I found all of a sudden I could do more things with it than I could with my old one. So I spent an hour comparing it with another (more expensive) equally respected make, and convinced myself I wasn't hallucinating, and that was that.
But the moral of this story is, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2008-10-29 13:27
The signet 100 is classified as an intermediate clarinet by some. New intermediate clarinets aren't going to be much, if any, better.
If they were making them today they would probably be in the price range you mentioned.
I also agree with Norbert that a "familiar" clarinet will, at least initially, be easier to play than a new one.
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Author: malanr
Date: 2008-10-29 14:19
Thanks for that information. I have been looking everywhere and was not able to find any info on this model. With your post I contacted Woodwind Brasswind and they confirmed what you said about being an intermediate model.
I'm so happy now! I don't have to buy a new one!
Maybe just some bore oil....
Just another muscian
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2008-10-30 13:43
There are two main differences I have found between the Selmer Signet series, and professional instruments.
First, the key work on a professional instrument is more responsive. The keys don’t move as far, the spring pressures are lighter and more even key-to-key, and the key positioning is closer. This is especially true of the left and right pinkie key clusters. When you first play a professional instrument, the keys can feel a bit crowded, but once you’re use to this, it’s easier to play.
The other difference is intonation and evenness. Intonation is pretty good with most Signet’s, but a professional instrument (at least a good one) will be better. That is, it will require a lot less adjustment on your part to make every note play in tune. The caveat is that you are probably unconsciously adjusting now to make your Signet play in tune, so when you play another horn, even a pro model, its intonation will be poor at first.
Evenness is having the tone match between registers and between individual notes. All notes should sound like they come from the same horn, but often that isn’t the case. Some are stuffy and some really pop. When you go from throat A to clarion C or D on a pro instrument, the notes won’t sound like you switched registers. The same will be true when going from clarion high C to altissimo D or E. Low C# and clarion Bb won’t be stuffy. Don’t expect pinch Bb to be clean. Sometimes you get lucky, but that’s a weak note even on top models.
One other thing you’ll find is that resistance varies quite a bit between different instruments. Signets generally have low resistance, so you tend to play hard reeds and more open mouthpieces. Your setup may, or may not work on another instrument. Don’t give up on a horn just because it doesn’t play with your setup.
Happy hunting.
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Author: malanr
Date: 2008-10-30 14:18
Thanks for the input to everyone who commented, especially the comment about the Signet 100 being an intermediate, I was happy to find that out.
Tony, thanks for the more in depth differences between the intermediate and pro model. I knew there should be differences, however small. I'm going to test my signet with the info you gave me and see how well my clarinet responds.
What do you suggest being a more responsive mouthpiece (more open)?
I currently play a Larry Combs LC1 with a Rovner Light (old) ligature, and Vandoren 3.5 reeds. The Rovner Light gives me a slightly brighter sound than the BG lig that I have.
I have been told that either a Selmer HS** Mouthpiece or a Vandoren 5RVLyte mouthpiece is a good open mouthpiece to use.
I'm guessing that because of the Resistance of the horn, this may be why the jump from Bb to B with the register is often difficult to push out. And there is a great difference in the sound between the throat tones and the B to Eb using the Right hand Pinky keys. They all have a rough sound.
Thanks again, and if anyone has any other tips, please continue to post.
Matt
Just another muscian
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2008-10-30 16:38
If I'm not mistaken, the LC1 is a relatively open mouthpiece. The 5RVLyre is also a pretty good open mpc. If you want to try something more closed than the LC1, the Vandoren M13, M13 Lyre, and M15 are worth a try. The closed mouthpieces will generally take a slightly harder reed.
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