 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: senator1214
Date: 2013-03-13 04:12
Hello,
Where can I find information about making clarinets. Where can I learn this trade?
I've done repair work here in NY/NJ for about 6 years and I would like to one day make my own clarinets.
Thanks in advance.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2013-03-13 10:32
Dear Senator,
Although I live in France and have met many people that work or have worked for Buffet, Selmer and Leblanc, I only know two that can actually make a clarinet from A to Z; one, I work for at JL-clarinettes. The reason for this is that others are assigned to piece work on the assembly-line.
My advice to you is to learn your trade in Germany, where there exist several small makers with very skilled craftsmen. It's true that they don't usually make Boehm clarinets (three do), but the knowledge you gain could easily be applied to making your own clarinet.
Another piece of advice is to find a retired craftsman who would be happy to share his knowledge of how to build a clarinet with you. One last thing: some people who claim they make clarinets actually have 8O % of the work outsourced.
Good luck to you and I hope I get a chance to try out one of your clarinets one day!
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-03-13 12:06
I was also going to suggest doing an apprenticeship in Germany with a clarinet maker as that way you'll be getting paid a good wage along with doing hands-on work making clarinets.
Even though they primarily make German and Oehler systems, most German makers offer Boehm and reform Boehm instruments as well.
Also contact Chadash to see if they offer apprenticeships.
The only thing with working in a company is you won't normally be making instruments from scratch from start through to finish - you'll be doing some aspects or stages of instrument making, but not all of them at the same time as it's usually a production line as opposed to individually made instruments. So you may start by woodturning and setting out joints, then sometime later on you'll be doing pillar fitting, then later on keywork making/mounting and then finishing, but most likely not all those processes on the one instrument unless you decide to make one for yourself.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2013-03-13 12:35)
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Author: senator1214
Date: 2013-03-13 12:57
Ruben and Chris. Thank you so much. This information helps a lot. Growing up in New York is great for a lot of reasons, but actually learning a trade, hand crafting products, and working closely with your client is a lost art to my generation. I'm 22, and I've always heard about the glory days from the past. Sadly everything these days is just about heading to the local chain store.
Thanks again for your help, and I'll update this post about my next steps.
Cheers!
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Author: ruben
Date: 2013-03-13 16:31
Dear Friend,
If ever you come to France, we would be happy to have you visit us at our JL workshop and you could meet Daniel Joye, who builds fine clarinets and does everything on them. He sometimes even makes his own pads! In the US, there are a few people who build oboes (Laubin, Covey) and in Canada, there is Bell who makes Bassoons in the middle of the woods and the bears, elks and moose. If you can build an oboe or a bassoon, you can build a clarinet! You have my e-mail address; don't hesitate to get in touch with me directly. Good luck and follow your dream! Twenty-two is just the right age to do that.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2013-03-13 20:25
Why not suggest doing an apprenticeship to Peter Eaton and secure the future of his range of clarinets.
Everything about making the clarinet is literally done in the garden workshops or the house.
Only gun drilling an initial pilot bore in the top/bottom joints and silver plating the keywork is out-sourced.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2013-03-14 08:24
I whole-heartedly agree with Norman's suggestion. It would be great to see somebody continue the production of Peter Eaton's wonderful clarinets. So many brands have unfortunately disappeared upon the retirement or the death of their founders.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Ed
Date: 2013-03-14 12:19
Given your location, it would be a great idea to contact Guy Chadash and see if you can spend some time with him.
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