 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mitch A
Date: 2002-03-12 13:40
So, I play tenor with a few dance bands and find that I really need to double on clarinet. I've got an Olds rental (really not a great horn) and have two E-11's and a Noblet 45 coming from WW&BW to play-test (along with my wife's R-13 and a few other models I can borrow).
While poking around, I've noticed that some clars have one extra ring (left hand, 3). What is the story with this? Being a clarinet boob, I have no idea if Im missing some great thing by not having this - although the R-13 in the den seems to get along fine without it....
TIA... Mitch
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Author: joevacc
Date: 2002-03-12 14:37
The "7th" ring is to facilitate an alternate Eb/Bb- namely the "forked Eb/Bb". You can produce those notes with your left index and ring fingers. My main Bb and A clarinets both have it and I find it very comfortable but the worlds great clarinetist seem to get along fine without it! ;~)
Best,
-=[Joe Vacc]=-
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Author: William
Date: 2002-03-12 14:47
The extra ring for the l-h is an articulated G# feature that allows the clarinetist to play r-h notes while keeping the l-h G# key depressed--used mainly for trilling F to G# and other fast intervals using G#/Ab. It also makes it possible to play Bb with l-h TR X 0 X which has some technical advantages. Pete Fountain has the third ring on his clarinet, but most of us, however, get along just fine without it. My question is, as you are able to borrow your wifes R-13, why would you feel the need to buy any of the other models mentioned? The Buffet is a professional level instrument and is most likely a far superior instrument to the E-11 or the Noblet. It is the instrument of choice among many clarinetists on this website who play professionally. My second choice would be the E-11, an ultra-fine student model that performs quite well, especially since you are only going to be using it as a double, presumably to play a few polkas or dixie tunes. Good luck with your dance band--live music is certainly struggling in the Badger state where I come from (DJs--Grrrrrr). Good Clarineting (when not saxing)
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Author: joevacc
Date: 2002-03-12 15:16
William is of course correct in telling you about the articulated G# mechanism which is far more common than just the 7th ring. There are both types of instruments out there and many more key configurations. Your wife's R-13 model is possibly the most widely used clarinet in the US.
Does Pete Fountain play an articulated instrument or does he use a 7 ring instrument?
Best,
-=[Joe Vacc]=-
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Author: Mitch A
Date: 2002-03-12 16:05
William, you answered your own Q. To double for five tunes or so... a minor difference in sound will not be heard on the dance floor.... a $1,000.00 difference in cost buys a lot of groceries.
I'd like to use her clarinet, but ... first, I would no sooner use her clarinet than I would use her tooth brush - I can afford my own, and it would be an invasion of personal space. Second, taking my sax to a gig is one thing... taking her cherished clarinet that was my birthday gift to her.... can't do it.
BTW, I saw Kenny Davern at Shanghai Jazz (NJ) a few months ago and got to talking shop. He was playing a mid 60's plastic model.... Sounded good to me.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-03-12 16:08
Note that the articulated G# mechanism is independent of the additional ring. You can get an instrument with either, neither, or both mechanisms.
Standard professional clarinets normally come without either one and very few people miss them. Although there are occasions when these would come in handy, such instances are not common enough for these mechanisms to ever become standard.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-03-12 18:16
Dee is right on. My Keilwerth Clarinet has the L3 ring for forked Eb/Bb, but it does not have articulated G# (which would likely be a better goodie to have, if you're going to have any).
Mitch, you might want to look at one particular eBay auction. Brenda Siewert, a Sneezy sponsor, is auctioning a Vito V40. Brenda guarantees this one to be in excellent condition. If I were playing any gigs nowadays, this is the type of instrument I'd want to use. And had I not recently bought a V40 (which needs some repair), I would want to go for this very one. It's eBay item 850230417, closing tomorrow.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-03-12 18:37
Hey, Mitch, I just noticed you're the same person who posted the question about the plateau clarinet. Maybe a V40 with all those empty holes would take some really heavy consideration.
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Author: Mitch A
Date: 2002-03-12 19:13
Actually, if I were to consider having the rings closed for pads, I'd choose a good sounding model that really isn't worth a whole lot - it'd be a shame to schmuck up a "good" clarinet...
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-03-13 00:06
Mitch, I would not recommend the "plateau-ing" of an ordinary instrument, primarily because the mechanism of a full plateau Clarinet is more complicated than that of an open-hole Clarinet. All of that mechanical modification would have to be done as well as adding the pads and touchplates. But if you know a technician who's ready to do the job, I think a V40 in good shape could be a reasonable starting point.
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