 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Simon
Date: 2002-03-16 05:31
Hello all!
I am an advanced clarinet student; I'm currently looking over a few solos, to work on for next year. I have narrowed it down to either the 3rd movement of the Mozart Concerto, or the 3rd movement of the 1st Weber concerto. I believe that both pieces are great, and both will be fun to play. If I decide to do the Mozart, that means I will have to get an "A" clarinet. Ive been talking to my private teacher about it, but I also want to seek the advice of others.
I currently play on a Bb R-13 [with a pyne mouth piece, and Buffet Chadash barrel]. Because I play on an R-13 with the Chadash barrel, does that mean I absolutely have to get an R-13 A clarinet with the same kind of barrel? Are the R-13 A's similar to the Bbs in terms of playability and intonation [Ive heard they are somewhat "stuffy"]? Are there many players who play on a different model and/or brand of A clarinet? If so, what are some other brands/models to consider while choosing my A clarinet?
Thanks very much your your help!
Simon
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-03-16 15:20
I recommend matching your Bb for one reason: it's easier to swap back and forth between pieces without having to "adjust" your thinking for the different instrument. I played a Buffet Prestige Bb and a Leblanc Concerto A and it was hard to make the adjustment. It wasn't terrible, and I liked the Concerto a lot--there was just enough difference in the two instruments to make me groan a bit when I would have to go between the two. I had a crucial solo one time that really made me sweat to think about as it came along on the concert. I always wished I had bought a matching A.
I subsequently sold the Concerto.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Won Kim
Date: 2002-03-16 17:05
Simon,
I'm also a student and had same problem. I'm recently playing Mozart Quintet with strings. I was thinking buy a new one but I decided to borrow one for now.
However, if you are sure that you are going to have lots of opporitunities to play an A clarinet I strongly recomand to you to buy a matching brand. I'm playing Festival Bb and one that I'm borrowing is R13. It still confuses me because of the little different key positions. If you are playing in an orchestra, it is much easier to switch back and forth, if you have the same model.
Then Good Luck!
Best Regards - Won Kim
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob T
Date: 2002-03-17 09:13
I agree with Brenda that it may be better to match Bb and A clars. My Eatons play like a pair and the transition is only in the expected deeper sonority. The other advantage to pairing up is a practical one - if you get a custom double case they will be made for instruments of the same make. Some A's are made with upper and lower sections that won't fit the case without "doctoring" it. So don't just buy any double case without trying both instruments in it !
Having said all that many of my playing colleagues are very happy to play on differing pairs because they found a "cracker" of an A clarinet and have stayed with it. They'll change their Bb's but not their A !
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Micaela
Date: 2002-03-17 15:26
If the Mozart is the only thing you'll need the A for, it may be acceptable to play it on B flat (though your accompanist may not appreciate this- you play the same notes and the accompaniment is harder in the B flat key). Don't spend all that money on an A unless you know you're going to use it a fair amount.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-03-17 15:33
Simon,
As far as I know, there is no law requiring you to buy an R13 unless you decide it is the best choice for you.
As far as the extent to which keywork differences between "non-matching" pairs of clarinets are particularly noticeable, I think you should be the judge of whether that's an important factor -- after trying a variety of instruments out for yourself. I have never noticed much difference between the feel of my Buffet and Selmer Bb's. Given that, at least initially, Yamahas were apparently modeled on the R13, I doubt there would be much difference there either. That leaves Leblancs. I do find the feel of Leblancs (with their "inline" trill keys) different from the Buffets and Selmers that I own but, if anything, I find it more comfortable (and the only difference I notice is in the trill keys). Perhaps, however, I am less sensitive to such subtle differences than others are.
If you have some time to spend on this, I recommend you search the Klarinet Archives (on this site) for "matched pair" without the quotes. There you will find some interesting (and occasionally quite humerous) discussion of this issue. (Be warned, however, that you will have to sift through a number of posts that aren't on this specific topic.) In summary, you will find some very good clarinetists who agree with the earlier respondents to your question. However, you will also find many who regard "matched pair" as an undefined term at best and an oxymoron at worst.
My advice: Buy the A clarinet that you believe gives you the best value for your money and don't worry too much about whether it is the same make as your Bb. If similarity of feel is important to you, by all means include it as a variable in your choice. But don't assume that a Buffet A will necessarily feel (or behave in terms of intonation) the closest to your Buffet Bb. Try some others (depending on what's available in your area, Leblanc, Selmer and Yamaha for starters). You may be surprised. (But don't try just one of each and don't settle for one that you are not comfortable with. Even within makers, you will find considerable variation.)
Best regards,
jnk
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2002-03-17 17:24
My LeBlanc Concerto A is well in tune, plays with an even scale and is a joy to play in every way. Except, I sometimes really miss the Buffet "sound." As you already use an R-13 Bb, you probably should consider a Buffet A simply because you are already used to Buffet playing characteristics. You might want to consider a Buffet E-11 or E-13 A if economics is a concern. But, in agreement with above postings, do not be reluctant to play an A clarinet of another brand if that particular instrument plays well for you. My orchestral collegue plays on an R-13 Bb (with a large repaired crack through the upper side tone holes of the upper joint, BTW) and a Yamaha A clarinet that sounds very nice. I guess my point is, that pro level players (those people that we all aspire to be like) arn't really so much concerned with "new" or "what brand" or "model" as with, "how well does it play." If you plan to play in an orchestral some day, you will need an A. I bought my first A clarinet (Buffet R-13) to play the Mozart Concerto on my graduate recital with the University Symphony Orchestra--one piece of music. I never regreted that purchase. Now, I play on a set of LeBlanc Concertos because they are so even and well in tune and, therefore, so much easier to play on than Buffets. But I still have my old R-13s and occassionally use them in spite of the fact that they are a bit more difficult to play in tune. My Concertos sound great, but my R-13 have that "Buffet" sound that the world of clarinet seems to be "stuck" on. Bottom line (finally): I recommend the Concerto A, but try some Buffet models as well. Buy one!!! But buy the one that YOU like--"You'll" never regret it. Good Clarineting!!!!!!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-03-18 17:07
Simon -
I got a Bb/A pair of Selmer Omega Centered Tone clarinets when I was in high school. The Bb was below average, but the A was very good.
In college, I got an R-13 Bb, but kept the Selmer A for many years. Although they sounded different, I never had a problem switching. I eventually got an R-13 A, but only when I found one noticeably better than the Selmer.
The main thing is to find an A clarinet that's in tune, has an even scale and responds like your Bb. You should certainly try Buffet first, since the design will be familiar, but you end up where you end up, and you could easily like something else better.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
