 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2010-08-10 16:43
At Clarinetfest 2010, I had the opportunity to try out some rosewood clarinets of different makes (LOVED the Rossi and Patricola rosewoods that I tried).
However I felt that they did give a distinct sound. I felt personally that they are great for solo work (where you don't have to blend) and that they'd fit in VERY well with a WWQ or some other chamber ensemble with one clarinet.
I'm wondering how many people here play a rosewood clarinet in an ensemble with other clarinets and how they feel they blend. A rosewood clarinet is more of an end-goal for me (something I'd love to save up for and get years down the road), but I do still want to play in ensembles, community bands/orchestras, stuff like that. Thanks.
Alexi
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2010-08-10 16:50
Hmm... you must have a very hightened sense of hearing. I suspect 99% (or more) of the world couldn't hear that difference. My wife, admittedly not a pro but very good, uses a matched set of Leblanc Symphonie VIs (Bb & A) that are rosewood and there have never been any comments about her not mixing will into ensemble mixes in a concert band, jazz band, or clarinet choir.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: William
Date: 2010-08-10 17:12
Two different players using the same, exact equipement will--because of their own tonal concepts and oral configurations--produce different sounds. So, I don't think the use of clarinets made with different wood will complicate things very much. Personally, I've never really noticed much difference between rosewood and "regular"--moreso with the player.......
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Author: DixieSax
Date: 2010-08-10 17:39
I'm with Gandalfe on this issue. Acoustically, it is the shape and diameter of the air column that makes all the difference in sound. Any differences that you may have picked up from playing the clarinets is more than likely based on some combination of unconscious expectation or physical differences in the clarinet bores themselves.
As I'm also a saxophonist, I see ongoing discussions that become very passionate about the effects different saxophone finishes will have on the resulting sound. It's my experience that each player will sound like himself regardless of the equipment he's performing on.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-08-10 18:16
I would disagree slightly from the above.
I had a friend who had a set of Patricolas for a time and the sound did seem "smaller." Both of us got similar results, a wonderful sound and yet, if you NEED to be an EQUAL contributor to a section, the sound was just not loud enough to be on par.
So blending per se was not the issue, it is just a matter of being able to be a fully contributing member of a section............probably only an issue for the main service bands and above.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-08-10 18:55
Back when Ricardo Morales was in the Met Opera Orchestra, I went to his recital in Weill Hall, where he played a rosewood Leblanc. He of course sounded like himself.
Rosewood has a different surface texture from grenadilla, and this affects the sound. I tried Patricola rosewood and grenadilla clarinets several years ago at the Columbus ClarinetFest and thought they were noticeably different. I could hear a small difference when others played them. In the real world, I don't think it would make much difference, particularly out in the audience.
Ken Shaw
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2010-08-10 21:32
My sampling of rosewood is (drum roll.......) TWO clarinets. So while I know I heard a difference in tone and sound, it VERY VERY VERY well could be that those two clarinets were simply different than the others I sampled.
However, I still hold to the thought that the tone can be slightly different based on material. And I really liked the rosewood ones I tried, and the mopani clarinet that I tried about 8 years ago (Amati was making them for a little while). I don't think I can tell a "rosewood" clarinet from another clarinet, but I feel that if someone were to play a regular clarinet, and then pick up a rosewood clarinet, I would notice that their tone has changed slightly. And in MY case, I like the slight change that's made. (I'm actually thinking about getting a rosewood barrel for my current clarinet to sort of 'tide me over' till I can get my rosewood.)
In any event, very glad to hear that there haven't been problems blending. Looks like my dream stays alive! And yes, I know that there's not REAL reason to HAVE to own rosewood, except for the fact that I WANT one. hehehe.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2010-08-10 21:34)
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-08-10 23:27
Never mind what I was saying. My onfo may be off. Mods, please delete this post.
'
Thanks.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2010-08-10 23:29)
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2010-08-11 00:09
Attachment: 2rosewood species Indo top Yucatan bottom 1.jpg (207k)
The two long billets shown are BOTH East Indian Rosewood.
The square that they are resting on is from the Yucatan.
The desk in the background is mahogany veneer.
All rosewood is not created equal(ly).
There are many species of this wood.
I recently ordered East Indian Rosewood, Yucatan Rosewood, and I have other types on hand at different times. They exhibit different grain and properties.
There is even variation between billets of the same species within each batch.
Keep that in mind when comparing clarinets.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
Post Edited (2010-08-11 00:12)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-08-11 00:40
If you pulverise a rosewood clarinet and a grenadilla one and then mix up the powder from both, they'll blend together very well.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2010-08-11 01:13
lChris P wrote:
> If you pulverise a rosewood clarinet and a grenadilla one and
> then mix up the powder from both, they'll blend together very
> well.
>
Maybe mix it with some resin, compress it, mill it out into a clarinet and instead of "greenline" you can now advertise a "redline" or something like that....................hmmmmm............
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-08-11 01:19
Alexi, is that anything like the red Dazzlers awhile back? 
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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