 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-11-04 18:53
I realise from the comments on here that this is a difficult clarinet to play?
As some of you know I bought a clarineo for a bit of a laugh. The funny thing is , I love playing it. I am consistently getting right up to altissimo high C and my small hands seem to fly around it even though it has no trill keys and only 1 fingering each for E/B , and F/C and F sharp/C sharp. I am getting a really good tone on it after one weeks practice and am playing some very advanced pieces. The tuning is a challenge but with judcious half-holing, creative fingerings and a flexible enbouchure I can get it to sound really good .I am using Vandoren 3.5 V12 Eb clarinet reeds. My question is...... does the Eb clarinet present many more challenges? It is many years ago now but my clarinet teacher bought one in for me to try. I played it for about 10mins and he was pretty certain that I was suited to it and urged me to get one. I didn't really think about it at the time. I know decent Eb clarinets are expensive but I am tempted to try a Kinder clari or an inexpensive plastic Eb. Am I crazy or more to the point am I just developing gear acquisition sydrome?
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2012-11-04 19:08
It's a hoot to play, but it does present some different challenges (as do all of the different clarinet voices). It'll probably drive you crazy learning it, but it will make you a better player once you work through it.....
Still, based on my positive experience (and I started in a place not too different from where you are now), I say go for it.....but just know that the amount of repertoire for it (especially solo pieces) are quite limited compared to the Bb. Even orchestra and wind band parts are not a given.....but when you get a good one, it's just a blast!
Have fun.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-11-04 20:26
I bought a Lyons plastic clarinet when I was at college to play the last movement of 'Carnival of the Animals' on. I also upgraded the mouthpiece to a Vandoren B44 which I used when I bought an Eb.
My first Eb clarinet was a plastic Vito which wasn't a bad instrument once set up, but later bought a knackered 1962 Buffet Eb off eBay and completely rebuilt it including having all the keys silver plated. Once it was all back in one piece it made my Vito sound like a toy which I soon sold on. I prefer the Vandoren 5RV which is a much easier mouthpiece to get on with compared to the B44, especially in the top registers which is what's needed.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-11-12 19:19
I have succumbed and bought this gorgeous baby. I thought it would be fine as a starter Eb and intended to upgrade if I got on well. However it just sounds amazing!... soooo even in tone across the registers and my small hands and 1010ers diaphragm seem to be destined for it. I got up to altissimo A on the first day I had it,..... altissimo B on the next and got C momentarily today! I have fallen hook line and sinker ;-)
http://www.clarinetsdirect.biz/LafleurEb10318.html
Post Edited (2012-11-12 19:21)
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-11-12 19:34
I think they thought they were B and H stencil instruments. But who knows ...... so many instruments must have been made by a maker and finished by others? I must say though that these easily compare to my 1010s ( in Eb terms) and the tuning is phenomonal for what must be a 30s instrument?
I did think of splashing out on an Imperial at three times the price and would still if this was mediocre but this is really classy and just sounds amazing :-)
Post Edited (2012-11-12 19:52)
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2012-11-13 05:52
Interesting....the horn bears some similarity in the keywork to my French-made Martin Freres Grand Prix Eefer, which is also quite a good horn (which surprised me as well).
But, as hard as it is to track down stencils, suspect we may never know who made all these eefers!
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Author: Pastor Rob
Date: 2012-11-14 12:57
I bought two effers from ebay earlier this year. The first, a Martin Freres, may not be worth fixing up as one key was broken and so badly soldered the pin won't line up. However the other, a Jean du Blaye, has just been restored by Jeremy Soule and appears to be an excellent little horn. I bought it mostly for my seven year old son who wants to start clarinet. He's a pretty good pianist for his age so this should be good for him. It only cost $18.50 because the bell was broken, but I found another for only $40. The real job was finding a case! Keep us informed how you are progressing. I really look forward to being able to use mine in our ensemble, though my hands are not that small. I certainly can't say I've acheived much with it except to be banished to the garage when I try to play it.
Pastor Rob Oetman
Leblanc LL (today)
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2012-11-14 19:19
Rob,
I ordered the Hadcock Orchestral Excerpts book for Eb Clarinet and it came today. I have had great fun this evening playing the Bolero Solo, the excerpts from Symphony Fantastique and the Firebird. I had my tuner out and my Eb is pretty impressive. A little sharp in the chalumeau but at most 15% out. I used the lower F sharp key as Hadcock recommended which helped a lot and I got it bang on by half-holing. I really like the fact that for each excerpt, if there is a technical difficulty the Hadcock makes helpful suggestions. I did think I might just keep my Eb habit to myself but the University where I work as a Lecturer ( not in Music) has a decent orchestra and I think they are quite keen for committed amateurs to join. :-)
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