 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: karlbonner82
Date: 2010-04-29 11:33
I'm curious as to people's opinions on which HIGH clarinet size (key) warrants the largest economic investment, and which factors this answer depends on most. Common sense and intuition suggests to me that for 90-95% of us it would be the Bb, but I can accept that there may be some circumstances when the A or C is more important.
Note: I am concerned only with the "high" clarinets (A and up), not the "low" sizes (basset horn on down).
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2010-04-29 11:37
I would think that pretty much everyone would agree that the instrument that warrants the largest investment is whichever one you personally will be playing the most.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2010-04-29 13:41
I think that your statement is a common sense approach that would make a great deal of sense for most clarinetists generally.
I can also think of situations in which it would not be true: Let's say that you find yourself gigging on Eb clarinet frequently, and the Eb is an instrument that requires more effort from you personally.
My A is the most expensive soprano clarinet I own, but only because an A costs marginally more than a Bb (I play a Festival A).
Finally: I have a really expensive Bb on the way, so that Festival A is about to drop into second place.
You should always own and maintain the best equipment that you can afford.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-04-29 13:59
The most expensive clarinet may not always be the best one for you, and there are many bargains out there in the used clarinet market.
You might find a good clarinet from a reputable maker for a fraction of the cost of a new one and it may play a million times better for you than a new one of the same make or model.
I've been lucky trawling eBay for used older model Selmers that I play regularly, and they scrubbed up well and play how I like them to. Likewise with an old Buffet Eb which is a stunner - didn't look much to begin with, but a complete rebuild brought it back to rude health.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-04-29 16:12
the one that warrants the hifghest investment? All things being equal.... wait a minute all thoings are NEVER equal!
It depends on intended usage. The Bb is the primary instrument almost for all players. The you have to decide on what other uses you anticipate:
For playing in a band, you most likely would look to an Eb soprano/sopranino as your next priority.
For Orchestral/Chamber Ensemble work, many orchestral clarinetists playing on sopranos play the following:
Bb soprano
A Soprano
Eb Soprano/sopranino
C Soprano
(occasionally) D soprano
Probably, the utility and desirability would be in that order.
Since costs of instruments depend on theeconomies of scale, as well as the difficulty of manufacturing a pro-grade instrument for playing in a particular key, costs may not be in line with how much you use a given instrument.
Jeff
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-04-29 18:56
As has been indicated above, it depends on your needs. If you have an orchestra job, or hope to, you need the same quality Bb and A and all things being equal the A will cost a bit more, same brand same model. If you will be using, or auditioning, on Eb then you need a high quality Eb too and again, in the top makes and models that will likely be the most expensive because they don't sell enough of those as they do Bb and even As. A C clarinet is only really needed if you play in an opera orchestra, can't transpose or read off of piano or other C instrument music. It may be nice to own but not necessary for most clarinetists. Pretty much the same with a D clarinet. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2010-05-05 13:14
I have owned some expensive horns, but the one that I currently play is a Jerome Thibouville-Lamy that is probably 80+ years old. The reason I play it is because it is probably the best sounding clarinet I've come across. When I bought it, for not a lot of money, it needed a fair bit of work, but when I'd done it I was truly amazed at the sound that came from it. As a general statement, it pays to buy the best kit you can afford, but price does not always denote quality.
Tony F.
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Author: RoBass
Date: 2010-05-06 06:42
The reason is (only my opinion!): Most of the clarinet concerts and other clarinet music written for the Bb-model. Some are better to play on Eb and some on C (especially concerts written for violine or piano originally).
Therefore most players play a Bb as main horn and other models as alternatives. Main horn ist most played, therefore it should fit to you as best. Result: You buy a most expensive model in Bb ;-)
kindly
Roman
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Author: karlbonner82
Date: 2010-05-06 09:24
It's obvious that the Bb is the main key for the vast majority of soprano clarinetists, even though the A is used in orchestra as often as it is.
The role of the eefer is to extend the upper range while the A is used to play in sharp keys (what I like to call the right-hand keys). A C instrument would be the most versatile for playing in a whole range of keys but a Bb-A pair works just as well.
Actually I'm wondering if Eb is really the best key for a high clarinet to be built in. Having three flats "built in" to the horn doesn't sound particularly wise. You can get away with it in a symphonic band but not in an ensemble that plays in G or D major on a fairly frequent basis. That would seem to indicate that a D clarinet is also a valuable asset if you want to play high, or perhaps even an F!
If I had to guess, I'd say that wood is not quite as important for an eefer as it is for the "low" sopranos. It may be high enough that the full tone color is not quite as imperative. (Actually, this is true for recorders - it's the alto and tenor (and bass) sizes where wood seems to have the biggest advantage over plastic, and with sopraninos the difference is very small!)
Post Edited (2010-05-06 09:31)
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2010-05-06 12:17
"If I had to guess, I'd say that wood is not quite as important for an eefer as it is for the "low" sopranos."
If you had ever had to give a concert of difficult literature on a plastic eefer, you would realize that wood makes a difference. Not only for sound but for the inherent quality that is built into the other aspects of a fine instrument.
Whether or not Eb would be the best key for an instrument that extends the tessitura of the clarinet sound at this point is moot. The Eb clarinet is the one that became mainstream. Perhaps someone can comment on how it did? D clarinets appear in Opera with greater frequency than anywhere else, but the Eb is the high clarinet most used.
Generally speaking I don't think many composers are concerned with how difficult their compositions are, there are always performers who can execute. And if we, as clarinetists, decide to transpose a part here or there for another clarinet, so be it.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: RoBass
Date: 2010-05-06 13:55
@karlbonner82: What's the question? I read your posts twice, but I guess about the question inside...
Are you interested in opinions about the "best investment" or in the recoverability of instruments tuned other than Bb?
Pricing depends on two factors: at 1st the typical spreading and market resonance (the most selled model will be the cheapest in the the same quality level because of the number of manufactures experienced with) and 2nd the useability and exigency to buy a different tune (relation of "better to play" partitures für Eb and A or C - only less percentage of course). Seldom instruments are more expensive than a mass product.
But if it's better investment, I could not approve so.
kindly
Roman
PS: I didn't need any Eb or A-clarinet before. Only a C was handy sometimes for some piano stuff.
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Author: karlbonner82
Date: 2010-05-06 14:53
@RoBass - My question is about how to best allocate your budget among the different clarinets. Assume, for example, that you've decided you are eventually going to want a Eb, Bb and A. Let's suppose that you can only afford to splurge on one of those three - you can get one professional horn and two intermediate ones. If you were in that situation, which of the three would you want to be professional?
PS. I'm curious what you meant by the "recoverability of instruments." Were you referring to the depreciation rate?
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2010-05-06 16:03
In that case Karl, you buy a pro Bb.
Before, when your question was wider in scope, although the Bb might be the most apparent option I could understand either the A or Eb being more. If you're choosing between one pro and two intermediate, the Bb has to be the answer.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-05-06 16:58
I agree. Get the best Bb you can afford...then, as time progresses, you can upgrade lower-grade eefers and As with better equipment, if you actually need them. Since the Bb will most likely be your most-used instrument, it should be the best one you can get.
Jeff
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