 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2016-01-28 22:07
In another thread here is a discussion of the Yamaha YCL-34 vs YCL-450. And the idea was advanced that, while the intonation of both is good, the higher end 450 is not appropriate for a beginning student, who probably would not be able to play it in tune. Presumably the 34 would be easier for said student to play in tune. And it would seem that would be true for other beginner vs pro clarinets.
I don't think I've seen it quite put that way. If true, how could a Lyrique 576BC or Backun Alpha be any good for a beginner, and still be appreciated by an advanced player? I thought good intonation was good intonation, whatever the level of the player.
On the other hand, I've heard and read that R13's require high skill to overcome the inherent intonation design deficiencies. Perhaps that is true of other "high end" clarinets that some find desirable for reasons that outweigh the tuning troubles? Might that also be true of the YCL-450 and/or other pricey and cherished but flawed designs?
This should be a fun discussion.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
Post Edited (2016-01-28 22:09)
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2016-01-29 00:27
I don't think the 450 is a "higher level" instrument than the 34 II.
It's just a marketing refresh for their intermediate range and occupies an identical position in their new range as the 34 did in the old range.
Every serious manufacturer strives for the perfect intonation but cannot achieve it because it's an unobtainable goal.
What they do is adjust the various compromises between tuning, tone, flexibilty and responsiveness etc etc. to provide the best option for the player.
However since every serious player will have different ideas as to the best compromise the maker has to offer various alternatives to try and meet these varying tastes - Hence e.g. the Buffet RC vs R13 based designs.
At the student / intermediate level I cannot believe that they pay anything like as much attention to these points but just borrow the broad principles of their higher grade instruments as far as the market prices will allow.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-01-29 00:49
Student level clarinets should in theory be less flexible than pro level clarinets in terms of being able to pitch each note to an extent.
No clarinet can ever be built to play bang smack in tune due to their nature, but should have been built so individual notes are best chosen to be flat, sharp or in tune as the corresponding 12th and altissimo may not be in tune if the fundamental register is built in tune.
If a clarinet is built so the low E and F are in tune, then the upper register B and C will be sharp which isn't what anyone will want, so makers settle for a flat low E and F to give an in tune upper B and C.
There are probably more compromises made with designing and making student clarinets that won't have any or will have far less tapering and undercutting of their toneholes compared to pro level clarinets as they need to be more rigid with their tuning and intonation so students can develop their embouchure.
A clarinet with more flexible tuning and intonation could prove to be a nightmare for a beginner (and teachers and other listeners) with an undeveloped sense of pitch whereas pro players will be constantly adjusting the tuning to fit in with everything going on around them (either instinctively or consciously), so will need that bit more flexibility.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2016-01-29 06:06
What about the flexibility of intonation in a higher level instrument being necessary in order to temper the pitch to sound correct to the ear in the context within which it is played. It is my understanding that, if you were to build an instrument that played each note dead on its theoretical frequency, it would not sound particularly good in actual performance because of the way our ear hears notes in context.
Or am I all wet?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-01-29 07:17
I think the idea that a student line horn is better for a student is an outdated idea. We can speak of clarinets that are less expensive when there is a need for that (many factors involved besides just budget), but a better clarinet makes playing easier, and it doesn't matter what level of player to which we are referring.
Wow, and what a mess that photographed clarinet is!!! I guess it's just up sell.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-01-29 08:32
I think where the benefit in a student clarinet is is in the robustness. The stronger mechanism, plastic body etc, mean the instrument can take a battering. But a silver mechanism is a lot softer (for instance).
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2016-01-29 12:00
To the post just above, whether a student or pro model has stronger or more robust keys depends on the exact model. Since almost no clarinet has silver keys, I assume you meant the plating, but this has practically no effect on the strength/stiffness of the keys. The material itself and especially the exact design and the way the keys are made make them soft or hard/stiff. Some student model clarinets have very soft keys.
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