 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Eileen
Date: 2002-10-23 19:43
I have been considering purchasing an Eb to use in a community orchestra but have been uncertain how often it would be called for. The thread on orchestra seating seems to imply that there might be more use than I thought. I'd appreciate any input on how frequently an Eb might be used in the repertoire played by an average level community orchestra.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-10-23 22:52
Eb flats are not cheap - however there are student models that might be good, too.
I own a second hand E-flat - and I'm thrilled with it. It's a Leblanc - lovely sound, and nice full reedy sound. It's a little devil however, and it's a constant struggel to keep it in pitch, but this seems (in my experinence) to be the nature of the beast.
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Author: E. Thomas
Date: 2002-10-24 00:45
Eileen:
The Peter Hadcock "Orchestral Studies for the E-flat Clarinet" (Roncorp, Inc. P.O. Box 724, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 USA - they have a webpage which you can search for with great success), lists 24 works for orchestra which utilize the E-flat clarinet. It also contains some fine references for fingerings where they may be applicable in each excerpt. The entire D clarinet part for Strauss' "Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks" is written-out for E-flat clarinet - a very big plus. There are several (9) examples from Gustav Mahler, one from Prokofiev, 5 from Ravel, 4 from Shostakovitch, 3 from Stravinsky, but not including Oedipus Rex, nor Mavra nor "Berceuse du Chat" which is for soprano, Eb, A and Bass Clarinet. It is a great and most worthwhile publication.
There is plenty of orchestral literature for the Eb clarinet, but many concerts can go by before you have one on the program. However, if you have a talent for that great little instrument, you should really try several before purchasing. They're not cheap, unless you find some "steal" from someplace vague and naive. I found an old Penzel-Mueller for $90 in the Austin classifieds in 1992 and it's great but frought with intonation hassels. Yet, with the right mouthpiece and barrel set-up, nearly any of them can be managed. But, you want one that is good and not a lot of trouble to tune; so, I recommend you look to Buffet, Selmer or LeBlanc at some big trade-show and try them all. You can get along well with a Vandoren 2RV mouthpiece, 'tho there are many out there which might be a great deal better as well as a great deal more expensive.
Good Luck. I hope you find the purchase rewarding and that you can get the chance to play your Eb either in the Community Orchestra or perhaps a nearby, serious Community Wind Ensemble.
Sincerely,
E.Thomas
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2002-10-24 00:50
Talk to the librarian of your orchestra and find out how much of last year's repertoire actually has e-flat parts. This may give you a representative sample, or it may not. There may be lots of pieces, and there may be only few. Also, things might be cyclical: there weren't any last year but this year every piece calls for e-flat.
I played e-flat for a few years in the local civic band just to be one-on-a-part. Much easier to deal with. Lots of solos == lots of fun.
How much fun you have will be directly related to how well you can play in tune. Lots of instruments play in tune only with certain mouthpieces, or just don't play in tune. Notes above the staff will be stressed. If the altissimo register is flat, you will have problems. Caveat emptor: play it first. Don't merely rely on trusted names.
BTW check out this link:
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=56785&t=56680
Regards
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-10-24 15:04
Eileen -
In a community orchestra, you'll average less than one piece a year that calls for Eb, and the pieces with big Eb solos - Till Eulenspiegel, Symphonie Fantastique - are probably too much for the average community orchestra. Still, they'll probably try Mahler 1 or Shostakovich 5, so there's at least an excuse for you to have an Eb.
Ebs are rentable or borrowable, and for this kind of occasional use, you don't strictly need one. If you get one, it's as much a plaything as something for use, and it's a lot cheaper than a low-C bass clarinet. Adult boys have their toys. If you can afford it, why shouldn't you have one, too. See http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=86471&t=86411.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-10-24 16:51
I'm doing Mahler 1 on eefer/bass now, and did Shostakovich 5 last year on eefer --- both are a blast, I'm real glad I have an Eb clarinet --- but then again mine was an old 'eBay special' I paid around a hundred bucks for and overhauled myself, so I can say it was worth it --- however, if I had to buy a new eefer for $800 or more I'm not so sure I would do it. Tough call.....
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Author: Eileen
Date: 2002-10-24 17:08
Thanks for the very informed advice! I played Eb years ago in high school and college band so I'm familiar with the beast. I guess I'll have to give some thought to the desire for a new toy vs. devoting my cash to a more practical end (saving up for a better Bb or an A).
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Author: Karen
Date: 2002-10-26 23:44
An Eb clarinet to suit your purpose can be very affordable. I own a yamaha plastic with a Hite mouthpiece, and the intonation can't be beat. When I purchased it, I compared it with the R 13, and could not justify the price difference. This was about 8 years ago, and with the mouthpiece upgrade, it cost under $500.00--well worth it for having a fun toy to play with!
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-10-29 14:19
Even the lowly plastic Bundy (er, I mean "Selmer USA") eefer is not too bad, given a GOOD mouthpiece. My recommendation would be to get a Clark Fobes mouthpiece first, then start trying out some of the lower-priced horns (maybe Yamaha, Vito, Selmer USA).
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