 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Steve
Date: 2001-05-08 01:04
I recently requested advice about what clarinet you recommended for an adult beginner. You all gave excellent advice. I thought I would update you on my quest, for what it’s worth… (forgive the length, please)
STEP 1. I first exchanged my first rental Yamaha YCL 34 for a Buffet E11 to see what I could notice. I also got a good MP (5RV Lyre) and a Rovner ligature so I would have SOME constants.
I noticed right away that the strong garlic smell was exchanged for a strong cigar smell. : -
But more to the point, I noticed they did sound different. To me the Yamaha sounded as much like a trumpet (brassy?) as it did a clarinet, while the Buffet sounded much smoother. But soon that sound just sounded unpleasantly “stuffy”. That is, when I could get a sound out at all. It was nearly impossible on the bottom two notes, and the first two notes above the register (setup probably).
STEP 2. My instructor confirmed it wasn’t just me, so I exchanged the Buffet the next week for a second Yamaha 34. This one was like the first Yamaha, except easier to play (for me). Still brassy compared to the Buffet, or my instructor’s Selmer, which he let me try (with my MP, of course). My instructor gave some good advice, which reinforced what advice I got here. While he seemed willing to help if needed, he did not (understandably) seem interested in chasing around town on my own personal quest. (I was willing to pay him lesson rates if needed, but it wasn’t…)
STEP 3. The music store where I have lessons had a R13 in stock, so I tried it out after class. I LOVED it! The keywork seemed made for ME, and the sound was dreamy! Precise, clear, and buttery rich (to me). Not brassy, not dull. Just like the clarinet “in my head.”
STEP 4. But since the dealer couldn’t tell me why it was $400 more than their competitor’s prices, I thought I’d shop around a bit (despite my pleasure). I stopped at another store on the way home. Since they had sold their R13, I asked them to get me one to try, as well as a Yamaha Allegro just to see.
STEP 5. Next week, with tuner in hand, I checked them out. The Allegro was a beautiful horn, and played pretty well for me too. The tuner showed it was off a bit here and there, not too bad. I figured it was just me. It also had a nice “woody” sound that in a recorder would be described as “reedy”, but seems absurd to apply to a clarinet. Still it had a nice, unique flavor of it’s own. Unfortunately that flavor didn’t seem to carry into the upper register. The price was less than the R13, though…
STEP 6. Then I tried the R13. WOW! The first full register was dead on in pitch, according to the tuner! I didn’t even know I could DO that! The B above the register was a wee bit sharp, and the rest of the upper register that I could play was as good as the first! I tried a few times… not a fluke. Same precise, clear, buttery rich tone as the first R13; keywork light and lively with no need for the “double pinky assist.” I looked it over closely for cracks, tarnish, etc. Finding none, I saw no reason to pay $400 dollars more, or to keep searching. So I kept it. Cha- ching!
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Author: jerry
Date: 2001-05-08 01:54
Sounds great Steve. I too am an adult begginer. I started with a Rovner L5 ligature and had fits with stuffiness one day and okay the next until I discovered it to be the ligature. I changed to a metal, two-screw type and what a BIG difference - my teacher said to stick with the metal one. Evidently, each time you place the Rovner fabric lig on the MP, you must place it precisely as it was placed the last time or you will get an entirely different response.
Not knowing this, I was misserable for months. Bought it on the recomendation of the music store where I got my Clark Fobes Debut MP (recommended for breginners BTW). The L5 lig is probably a great performer if you get the hang of how to adjust it.
Good luck with your new horn - I envy you for it.
~ jerry
Still in Clarinet Boot Camp
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Author: Steve
Date: 2001-05-08 04:23
Thanks for the ligature tip! I'll be more careful with it from now on. Maybe I'll try the metal liagature that came with my R13, and see what turns up.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-05-08 11:54
FWIW - I like the Rovner lig with the fabric flaps over the metal tabs... the fabric is in contact with the reed.
Private, Second class clarinet and lawnchair drill team
anji
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-05-08 13:57
I'm sure you'll never forget your quest for the "gold" Steve. And, you see that in the scheme of things, all clarinets are not created equal. You'll really do well now that you have a good instrument. Keep practicing and take those tips about the ligature. I recommend the 1R Rovner.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2001-05-08 15:31
Steve,
You really made the right "moves" in p[urchasing your instrument. Patience, lots of trials, and a good ear...
Congratulation on your first horn!
-S
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-05-09 19:18
Steve -
I have a couple of Buffet ligatures that came with the (really awful) stock Buffet mouthpieces when I got my Buffets in the mid-70s. I didn't like the ligatures. They had a metal plate under the screws that covered most of the reed bark, and I thought this killed the vibration. I don't know if Buffet has changed the design, but I'd avoid the ones with the metal plate.
If you like the Rovner ligature, you should try the Rovner Lite, which is made of thinner material and has a cutout over the bark area and, for me, blows freer.
As I say in every posting on ligatures, string is best. You should always compare anything you try to string.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: joseph o'kelly
Date: 2001-05-10 00:11
Any mouthpiece or ligature made by Buffet is junk. With my Festival and R-13A they include a settup worse than student line. I know they figure the player will buy their own but whatever happened to the days they included Chadish mouthpieces?
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-05-10 03:07
Interesting. Just one point. Several of your comments relate directly to an instrument not being adjusted correctly. Isn't it a pity that this is a major phenomenon for people selecting instruments. In one minute the best clarinet in the world could be de-adjusted to play like a stuffy reject.
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Author: Steve
Date: 2001-05-11 02:20
Gordon,
Agreed. What is interesting to me is why ANY music store would expect to actually sell a clarinet as out of whack as either of those rentals were. However, what may have been a simple, inexpensive adjustment to you is beyond my capability to diagnose. Even I can understand that the E11 was maladjusted, and at least one YCL34 needed help, but I would not buy a radio, an ocillating fan, or a set of golf clubs needing "adjustments" unless I was SURE what it really needed and that it was worth it. Same with a clarinet. I think the steps I took were reasonable, short of having a "Pro" picking one out for me.
All,
For WIW, my instructor tried my new horn tonight and said it was a good pick of a good model. I was probably a bit lucky (?).
Teacher: "You can't blame anything on your clarinet now..."
Student: "Ahhh, but I have REEDS!" :-) (But seriously, I know it's me)
P.S. I do not like the Buffet ligature either! The Rovner 1R seems the best... so far.
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