 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: The Dad
Date: 2000-11-20 18:21
Members of this forum play so many makes and models and, for the most part, we probably think that the ones that we are playing are fabulous. So, what are the characterisitcs of that "great clarinet".
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 2000-11-20 18:40
Plays in tune throughout, has a sound pleasing to one's ear (whatever one's concept of clarinet sound may be), has comfortable keywork, is reliable (both mechanically and acoustically), and maybe even looks nice. Also, some people develop a sentimental attachement to a clarinet they played when they were younger, or used during some particularly pleasant times.
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Author: Pam
Date: 2000-11-20 18:57
I agree with Dave, though will admit that I went towards a Buffet at my teacher's recommendation. Most of our section in the church orchestra that I'm a part of play R-13's so we have a great ensemble sound.
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Author: Jeff Gegner
Date: 2000-11-20 19:59
Can you define plays in tune throughout register. How far "out" can you be and still be considered in tune. My horn is about 5 cents sharp in the low registers and about the same flat in the upper. It kind of evens out in the middle. FYI - I just purchased a new case for my horn. The old one smelled musty even after a throrough cleaning. I purchased a Pro Tec, nice case. It seems to be well built, no inside room for accessories, but it has generous room outside in the side pouch.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-11-20 20:25
5 cents plus or minus is quite good. The player himself could vary that much at any given time. It is not too difficult for a player of modest experience to compensate and play in tune with an ensemble with this amount of variation.
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Author: William
Date: 2000-11-20 21:47
Good clarinets are those that have an even scale, great tone quality and are relatively "in tune" in most registers. The sound and freedom of expression are the most important qualities to watch for. Intonation is a plus, but no clarinet is perfect--all have notes that need to be lipped one way or the other or require special fingerings to even be close. Accoustically, clarinets are quite complex and no manufacturer has dicovered the secret formula for producing the perfect instrument. Vince Lombardi probably played clarinet at some point in his NFL career for his philosophy suggests the plight of the clarinet maker, "Perfection is not possible, but in its pursuit, we achieve excellance." So it was for the 60's Green Bay Packers and so it is for todays LeBlancs, Buffets, Yamahas, Selmers and etc. Good luck in your search for the good clarinet--if you find two, give me a call. Good clarineting.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2000-11-21 00:16
I completely agree with Dave, but where the rubber meets the road you are faced with trying to get all those wonderful attributes at the price you are able to pay. What's that old expression, "Champaigne (sp) tastes and a Beer pocketbook)." You may always regret settling for second best, the other guys horn will always sound better and the good sound will never come your way---at least in your opinion. If you put off what enjoyment you could obtain while waiting for an "R13 Vintage" or some other lovely horn, you will miss a lot.Life is too short to not enjoy what you can. You can always trade up.
Bob A
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2000-11-21 03:05
I think that having somewhat consistent resistance throughout the range of the instrument is a very valuable characteristic. It makes it easier to play in tune, to control the dynamics, to play uniformly when changing registers, and to play expressively. This is partly a function of the barrel/mouthpiece/reed combination, but after all, those are all parts of the horn, are they not? The bore certainly affects this characteristic as well. Another related characteristic is the dynamic range: The ability to play with a big sound, or to whisper softly. It is nice to have a horn that can give you what you're looking for along those lines.
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 2000-11-21 15:37
I completely agree with Dee's criterion of 'plus-or-minus 5 cents' throughout the range, as a very respectable target for clarinet intonation. That is exactly what I shoot for when restoring clarinets and bass clarinets, and I'm generally able to achieve it, though it sometimes ain't easy!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-11-21 16:30
What a great set of posts, y'all beautifully express a "love affair", second only to a spouse!! My LeB L7 has the greatest "ease of playing" and response I have found anywhere, and very minor tuning "favoring" needed. Don
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-11-21 18:37
Aaaagggghhh! Don, please! Say something BAD about your Leblanc L7, quick! I sold mine and I should be shot for that stupidity!!! The pristine Selmer Series 9, the (pristine) 1938 Buffet, the R-13, the mellow B&H 1010, and the Marigaux (innards) are no comfort . . . I want my L7 back!!!!!! What is it about that clarinet that it plays so easily, so limpidly? I guess the only thing I can remember that I did not like was that the sound could have been a little "bigger" or fuller. But so expressive, fluid, and pretty sounding!!!! Were all the pre-Opus Leblancs like the L7? I see many models on eBay that both pre- and post-dated the L7. Were there any important differences?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-11-21 22:06
Sorry, Bill, I guess its because of the very-even response from the chal. to throat to clarion that impresses me [cork padded on the UJ and hand picked by a far better cl'ist than me]. For any volume-tone problems I use diff. mp's to accommodate me to the music's character [cut and try!]. As of now, I have an earlier [?] L70 and got a Classic for grandson and an earlier yet LeB for son and believe I have seen the continuing improvement. I have little familiarity with the current top models so cant comment realistically. Ask Tom Ridenour!! I have a Selmer CT and have worked on a Dynamic H [same? as a Pete F??], a Buff R13, a vg Evette-Sch as well as some good French olders, and still love MY L7, sorry!! Guess I've found "the comfortable shoe" !! Don
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-11-22 01:35
I go for the sound that my wife will sit next to as I practice. If it scares the neighbor's cat that's a bonus... (okay, that may be operator error).
Seriously, I can barely coax accuracy greater than 10% at the top and bottom registers, so playing in tune with a baby grand piano is my working standard. I suppose we must learn to accomodate the vagaries in tuning.
More experienced players evolve ever higher standards.
The new Selmer Signature seems to be a wonderfully tuned instrument that players love and quickly leave for their Buffet (or L7), so tuning isn't the final arbiter.
To simplify, I think the horns that make your head and chest resonate while playing are cool. It's that sort of thing that really good singers do (your sinuses rattle) that a sweet horn brings out.
I dunno, I'm gonna go annoy the cat some more.
Anji
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