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Re: Clarinet Fest

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-08-01 02:40

I don't think the dark sound is the new way of the future. At the clarinetfest the top performers did not sound this way.

I strongly believe the instrument companies and mouthpiece companies are controlling the sounds. As players we have to let them know whats going on. Buffet is not listening. Yamaha is, Selmer is questionable.

As for Ricardo I have to ask all of you why is he playing on a glass mouthpiece from Italy, with a Buckun stamp on it? Because it is a live sound getting away from the dead sound. Smart man. He surely knows what he wants. He's getting it!

So lets face it 99 percent of the clarinet world never makes it into the big leagues. Even into community bands. So they play for pure enjoyment. Maybe they make a million dollars a year and can find enjoyment buying the most expensive everything! Go for it.

Julian Bliss and most other top players do NOT have dead sounds. Far from it. Even Ricardo is heading away from this. It's slow, but he is going into that direction.

I strongly feel the instrument companies and some of the mouthpiece companies have done a disservice to us by giving us stuff we don't want. But since it costs $700 for a mouthpiece and $1300 for a ligature well we must buy it because it costs more and we surely must become a better player? Right?

Julian's setup is far less than $5000, maybe only $4000. He sounds fine to me! I just heard one of the greatest concerts of my life.

For those that wish to have that dark sound buy it! Buy the $700 mouthpieces, the $21,000 horns and the $1300 ligatures. It's OK! I won't be mad!

I was just sad, seeing this happen at the convention! I think it's wrong! Cases selling for $1500! I don't know, my double case costs less than $100 and I've NEVER had a horn crack. Not once in 45 years.

But remember this sound won't last. That's OK too, because in a few years the sound will probably be on the warmer side. Not dark and you can sell everything and start over with new gear.

Harold Wright changed clarinets every 7 or so. Looking for that sound he craved for.

Is that Marcellus sound really gone? Why do Buffet clarinets from the 1960's sound so sweet? Why do players pay $500 to $2000 for a Kaspar mouthpiece?

The clarinets made in the 1960's cost about $275. The Kaspar's cost about $60. The Chedeville's actually cost less. But a decent 1960's Buffet can run around $2500. So I have to ask if that sound is really gone? Why do players want these?

Interesting subject. There isn't a right or wrong answer here. I just know that the present sound probably won't last and it shows. Such as the Buffet Divine being discontinued. This will happen to more and more horns. I think the Zinner mouthpieces are way too dark, so they will either be redesigned or players will start switching.

Yes it's fine to disagree with me. We all have opinions! But I hate the dead sound. There are no highs in the sound. Some players like this. It is surely pretty up close! So if you don't perform and you want to just play for fun, dark and dead is surely the way to go.

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

Post Edited (2017-08-01 02:49)

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Date

Clarinet Fest new

Bob Bernardo

2017-07-31 16:34