 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sdr
Date: 2011-10-01 23:04
I am in the market for an A clarinet for some chamber music playing. I don't have that much occasion to use an A and don't want to break the bank to get one. I have recently come across an A Selmer Series 9. All the past threads I could find here on the Bulletin Board are about the Bb. Anyone here have experience with the A that you can share?
Thanks.
-sdr
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-10-02 02:50
I had one for 2 years. Played OK. If you can pick up one at a good price and it tunes well it's a decent horn to have since your A clarinet playing is limited. It was probably made in the 70's, but I'm not sure.
I found it to be more open, less resistance then the Buffets, but I really liked the keywork and the sound. At one point I was very tempted to get a set of the 10 series horns, again because of the keywork and free blowing air. Dave Shifrin sure played them well! I'm not sure what Dave is playing on now.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-10-02 03:12
The Series 9 was similar to the Centered Tone, with a largish bore and, for me, a glaring tone. However, I used to have an Omega Centered Tone A that was quite good.
The Series 9* had a smaller, Buffet R13-type bore.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-10-02 11:46
I've got an early '60s Series 9 A clarinet and love playing it.
No problems with blending or tuning when playing in sections with others playing B&H, Eaton, Buffet, Leblanc or Yamaha clarinets. The low E and F are on the flattish side like most clarinets.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: HaynesMan
Date: 2011-10-05 03:55
I have one now-- ditto on the limited need for an A. I personally have encountered some tuning inconsistencies in the chalumeau register but have found it has a very open, free, easy altissimo. Generally an OK workhorse horn.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-10-05 09:18
The thing with these older large bore Selmers is if you're used to them, then you're fine. If you're coming from a Buffet R13 or other narrow bore clarinet, they will take some getting used to.
Some things you can do on large bore clarinets (and not just large bore Selmers) that don't seem to work so well on narrow bore instruments are:
High G-A trill - play upper register G (Sp. Th. xxx|ooo) and trill with RH finger 1 on the side Eb/Bb key instead of trilling with LH3 which will get tired easily.
High A-B trill - play upper register A (Sp. Th. xxo|ooo) and trill with LH finger 1 instead of LH2 - this is much easier and you're only opening/closing one tonehole.
Altissimo D (and possibly Eb) can be played without the need to use the Ab/Eb key.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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