 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-12-24 02:11
I may be suffering from temporary (I hope) insanity but I'm considering getting an alto clarinet. The one I have my eye on is the Yamaha YCL-631 (their pro model alto). Has anyone played this horn and if so what do you think of it?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-12-24 02:26
Robert Small wrote:
> pro model alto
Isn't that an oxymoron?
8^)
(I also think that clarinet choirs are the spawn of the devil ... 8^)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2001-12-24 02:55
My Top Ten Oxymorons
10. exact estimate
9. extensive briefing
8. small crowd
7. found missing
6. pretty ugly
5. working vacation
4. vaguely aware
3. successful suicide
2. rap music
1. Microsoft works ...Happy Holidays....GBK
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-12-24 03:23
One company ended up paying an extra 25K to me after I create a complex database system for them:
"I didn't mean that that number is always unique - I meant it was usually unique ..."
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-12-24 03:42
I guess the alto is the Rodney (I don't get no respect) Dangerfield of the clarinet family.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-12-24 04:32
Robert, I may be crazy, but if I were on a desert island and could only have one book and one instrument, I'd choose the Bible and a good alto clarinet. I love the sound of it and If I had a bunch of money and needed a new toy I might get one to replace the old Buescher I have. Sorrry I can't help with expert criotical information--but good luck.
Bob A
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Author: IHL
Date: 2001-12-24 05:41
I've never heard an alto before (but I have heard a basset horn, contrabass, sopranino...). What is it about this instrument that people dislike?
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Author: Jim
Date: 2001-12-24 10:25
Mark: Re; your comment on clarinet choirs, The first circus job I had the dirctor asked what horns I played. I had just finished 3 weels of saxophone and mentioned this. He drew himself up to his full 5'6" and in a rather stern Texas drawl "Sir, I consider the saxEphone an extension of the devils pitchfork." Clarinet for 2 weeks wasn't all bad, the money was good, but the food.....
Jim(M)
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Author: Jim S.
Date: 2001-12-24 15:05
Mark: I once performed Le Tombeau de Couperin arranged for clarinet choir and conducted by Russell Howland (it seems never to have been published) and it was the most wonderfully etherial experience of my playing life. It's one I have ever since been hoping to experience again. What has happened to Howland's manuscripts? Somewhere in Fresno?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-12-24 17:28
I think playing in a clarinet choir must be fun.
It's the listening I find to be "the devil's spawn". I've never found a clarinet choir I could listen to. I can't say the same for the Highland pipes (<b>those</b> I can listen to!).
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-12-24 21:38
One more oxymoron: Airport Security.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2001-12-24 22:07
Alright...you coaxed me.
7 more of my favorites:
7. act naturally
6. taped live
5. only choice
4. modern history
3. original reprint
2. unbiased opinion
1. butthead
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Author: Ken
Date: 2001-12-24 22:53
Robert, "you know" you're not going to get a straight answer out of the typically ingenuous yet high society crowd here. I've never played any Yamahas but I've endured my share of "issued" so-called PRO Selmer Eb Altos used in choir and concert band that I wanted to convert into a lawn dart. Have you considered an "F Basset Horn" as an auxiliary? The two Yamaha Bassets I had the joy to borrow, perform/record on were, IMO, superior instruments; always well-received by conductors/coworkers and contributed a unique dimension of "integrity" to the musical product. If you're going used, and especially NEW I'd respectfully suggest it would be worth your time an effort to try out some Bassets to get another perspective.
If you're an advanced player, they're an absolute dream compared to the stodgety Alto. An extremely flexible family member, color-wise they can pass for an Alto in any setting, but still with a slightly deeper/richer yet defining tone quality. They have a bigger range and go down to a pedal C. They're designed as a bass with a peg/post so you can lose the neck strap and no longer stricken riding "side saddle" like a tenor saxophone. Equipment is also compatible, but most of all, they're freer blowing and more stable; that is the horn isn't "buggy" like an Alto ... you aren't fighting it constantly or it against you and you can take more control of the instrument. Repertoire isn't sacrificed (although limited anyway) and the only drawback (if that is one) is you'll have to re-write/transpose your parts a step.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-12-24 23:36
Ken--thanks for the serious reply. Basset horn is something I'm considering too. More money than an alto but the extended range is nice to have (I have a low C bass clarinet). So few people play basset horn or alto that it's hard to get opinions of the different makes but definitely something to consider.
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Author: jenna
Date: 2001-12-25 03:24
I vote for the alto!
Never played a yamaha, though... sorry.
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Author: Michael Kincaid
Date: 2001-12-25 04:07
I tried out the Yamaha Alto in New Orleans at the ClarinetFest--I thought it played
very nicely. I liked the LeBlanc a little better--just the way it felt on my fingers for some reason.
The Yamaha definitely had a better feel and sound than the Selmer Alto. Wish I could
give you more specifics, but I've never played one for any extended time or with a group.
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2001-12-26 00:16
But have you tried the Buffet Alto Clarinet? While it isn't perfect, it does have features like resonance keys, that improve the sound in the clarion register.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-12-26 14:05
I've never played a Yamaha alto, but have played the Leblanc pro line and found that a very nice instrument with excellent key-action. Like the above comment from Michael, the feel in the hand of the Leblanc is the best of all the altos I've tried.
The biggest drawback to buying an alto clarinet is the lack of use. Few bands or orchestras use them anymore. They typically double the 3rd clarinet line, or the alto sax, or other instruments and are viewed as unnecessary by directors. But, a nice one can have a very nice sound. Who knows, perhaps you could start a small group and include an alto and get something going. After all, there's always room for a creative improvisation.
By the way, I have a dealer friend who says the Yamaha harmony lines are some of the best on the market--so the Yamaha alto that began this thread might be a very good one for you.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-12-26 14:39
Alto clarinet is fun to play but (sad to say) little used. Since (I am told) the definition of "geek" is "someone who owns an alto clarinet", I must confess publicly to being a MultiGeek. I have a late -'50s vintage wood Kohlert (Winnenden, Germany) alto clarinet that's really nice, and recently acquired a hard rubber Robert Malerne - Paris (stencilled "Linton") a.c. which will be nice following an overhaul. As for clarinet choirs, we had a decent one in high school and an excellent one in college, in both of which I played bass clarinet --- it was a blast. Even if nobody else wants to listen to your alto clarinet (or your clarinet choir), go ahead and play anyway --- the heck with the riff-raff, whadda they know anyway?
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Author: jenna
Date: 2001-12-27 02:53
Most directors I've met welcome the alto, even if they do recognize the fact that it isn't very necessary. One of my old directors told me at one point that although you rarely get any really unique parts on alto, he loves the fact that he has the color. He would rather have me sit on alto than just be another chair in the soprano section. It's also helpful when our bass player is less than reliable/non-existant. I still get made fun of all the time at rehearsals, but no one has asked me to stop yet.
I think it's rather distinguishing. Not everyday that you find someone who admittedly enjoys alto more than soprano or bass, in most cases. =)
btw - I'm a multi-geek, too... Two Selmer altos take up residence alongside my bass and sopranos. =)
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-01-04 03:48
Robert,
There is a Yamaha YCL 230 on eBay going on the 6th. He calls it an "intermediate" but Yamaha lists it as a "standard." Anyway, its over $210 now and too rich for my pocketbook right now. It's supposed to be"near Mint."
Bob A
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