 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jessica
Date: 2001-11-28 23:22
i have a dilemma of sorts on my hands. for christmas my parents are willing to buy me a new r-13 A clarinet. i have a used r-13 A already, but it's pretty old. it's still usable for youth orchastra though. now, i'm thinking that i'd like to have an Eb clarinet. would it be advantageous to learn how to play the Eb clarinet? how much would i actually have a chance to play on it in groups? i know a lot of band arrangements have Eb clarinet parts, but i haven't run into an Eb clarinet part in youth orchastra yet. of course, we don't play anything incredibly challenging, which may be the reason. anyways, i'd love to hear your opinions. thanks.
~jessica
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-11-28 23:26
An R13 can't be <b>that</b< old; indeed it can't be older than I am, anyway ... ;^)
I'd go for a complete overhaul of the A and a new Eb,. personally.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2001-11-29 01:34
Nice dilemma! ;^)
I tend to agree with Mark, here. If your A is less than 40-45 years old (remember, though, Mark, that Carl Fischer used the R13 designation long before Buffet adopted it for the polycylindrical model so her "R13" could be 60+ years old) with a good overhaul, the A you have should carry you a long way. The truth is, however, that you probably won't get nearly as much use out of an Eb as you will out of an A (at least if your focus is orchestral playing -- band is a different kettle of fish, altogether).
For orchestral playing, I think the order of usefulness is probably:
Bb
A
Bass
Eb
C
For band playing, the order of usefulness is probably:
Bb
Bass
Eb
(Alto is probably called for more often than Eb, but the parts are usually pretty boring.)
In general then, I think you'd get alot more use out of a bass than you would get out of an Eb. But, a bass wasn't one of your listed options and, given that the cost of a new professional bass is considerably more than an Eb, it may not be feasible. So, to respond to your specific question:
If your A has no serious structural damage and a serial number higher than around 55,000 (and certainly if it is above 63,000), I would recommend an overhaul and an Eb. If your A has a serial number below 63,000, I would recommend you take the instrument to a good local repair tech or clarinetist for their evaluation of whether it is worth overhauling.
However, if you are still open to other options and the A has a serial number higher than the ones I've noted above, think about an overhaul of the A and a good used intermediate or professional bass (low Eb) clarinet. I think you'll have more fun with the bass and get more use out of it.
Best of luck with your choice.
jnk
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-11-29 15:20
Or . . . get the new A (if you are convinced the old A is a hindrance); sell the old A; buy a decent used Eb or bass with the proceeds. There seems to be a decent market for used A's.
Again - nice problem to have - and ultimately your decision as to what you want new.
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Author: donald nicholls
Date: 2001-11-29 18:57
playing the E flat NOW is an investment in more oppertunities LATER when (if?) you go to college and beyond...... so is playing the Bass clarinet, true, but "for your dollar" it's easier to find a good E flat than a good Bass (assuming you want to spend around the $2000 mark) and it's harder for band directors/conductors/new music ensemble etc to find a really good e flat player than a good bass player.
otherwise- the postings above are good advice!
donald
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Author: Blake
Date: 2001-11-29 20:33
I think we need to create the SFTPOTESC - the society for the preservation of the Eb Soprano clarinet..... An "ok" Bass clarinet player doesnt stick out as much as an "ok" Effer.... Ive often considered the Eb my primary instrument since Ive been playing it for so long. Having both skills appear to be a good asset if you plan to go professional in an orchestra. All the Eb players Ive known play because its fun to play. I think one of the best compliments I rec'd this year from some of the other band members was that they didnt even know I was playing an Eb because it was in tune and not too loud. Blake Arlington, VA
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