 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: m1964
Date: 2023-12-23 09:08
To anyone who might be interested in plateau clarinet:
Today, I had a chance to see and hear a brand new Uebel Superior plateau clarinet.
I had it in my hands- the workmanship looked beautiful: both joints sealed fine, without any excessive pressure on the finger pads. Keys operation was quiet, without any noise when pressing keys, including the left pinkey keys.
It sounded just like a regular Superior, with clear tone and that characteristic "Uebel" sound- sort of close to the sound of Oehler system (at least that is how I perceived it)
Also sounded very much in tune.
A great choice for someone who needs a plateau clarinet that can be played in any setting (IMO).
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2023-12-23 18:13
I’d endorse the above. I bought one when struggling with neuropathy following a heavy course of chemotherapy. It’s an excellent instrument by any standards. The intonation is good, the quality of finish is superb, and properly regulated there are no noticeable issues of shading of tone holes that you might expect from having plateau keys. The security of the plateau keys can be transformational for anyone suffering loss of feeling in the fingers, or perhaps where arthritis compromises finger positioning. Having this facility on a top quality, new instrument is great if your budget will stretch to it.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2023-12-23 21:43
Hurstfarm wrote:
"...The security of the plateau keys can be transformational for anyone suffering loss of feeling in the fingers, or perhaps where arthritis compromises finger positioning. Having this facility on a top quality, new instrument is great if your budget will stretch to it."
Hurstfarm,
This is a great summary!
Post Edited (2023-12-23 22:08)
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2023-12-24 02:06
Suppose money weren't an issue.
Aside from not being able to glissando with the fingers, as opposed to the embouchure, is there anything about a plateau clarinet that leaves it less capable than a non-plateau one?
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2023-12-24 02:44
Not really in my experience. It’s marginally heavier of course, but not to a noticeable extent. Ergonomically it’s easy to get used to, and possibly more secure in fast passage work. My own preference would be for a standard thumb ring though, rather than the plateau thumb key, which would be an easy modification, albeit moving away from being a full plateau instrument. And finger-assisted glissandos still work, although it’s slightly different technique from the standard instrument, so you can still start Rhapsody in Blue!
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Author: RKing
Date: 2024-01-14 22:28
Thank you for reporting this!
I have stopped playing my Bb soprano clarinet due to right hand issues and have moved over to my bass clarinet because the plateau keys work with my stubborn fingers.
I am another cancer fighter who also suffers from "tingling" in my fingertips, and I just cannot get my fingers to stay in the proper place with my soprano clarinet.
The Uebel horns look beautiful!
Ron
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Author: m1964
Date: 2024-01-14 23:33
RKing wrote:
> I have stopped playing my Bb soprano clarinet due to right hand
> issues and have moved over to my bass clarinet because the
> plateau keys work with my stubborn fingers.
>
> I am another cancer fighter who also suffers from "tingling" in
> my fingertips, and I just cannot get my fingers to stay in the
> proper place with my soprano clarinet.
Hi RKing,
You do not have to get a Uebel plateau.
There are Normandy and LeBlanc plateau clarinets that occasionally pop up on eBay. The wooden ones can sound like an advanced student instrument if set up properly. Be prepared to pay for an overhaul which will cost more than a regular clarinet overhaul.
If you'd like a new instrument, RZ (Chech company) makes a plateau clarinet which is cheaper than Uebel.
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