 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Allison
Date: 2002-11-17 03:02
I've been looking for a wooden clarinet and my parents and I went in to our local music store (Boomer Music) and tested some wooden clarinets. I tried the Leblanc Concerto, a couple others, and the Yamaha Allegro. It was basically between the Allegro and the Concerto. The both were good, but I like the Allegro better.
We haven't bought one yet because we wanted to do some more research and think about the purchase. I've been looking on the Internet for info about the Allegro, but the only info I can find is on the Yamaha website. I was wondering if any of you knew more about the Allegro and where I can find reviews on it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2002-11-17 16:50
Just buy the clarinet that you like best. But try a few more before you make your final choice. Even clarinets of the same brand name and model will present different playing characteristics which may be important to you, the player. Eveness of scale, basic sound, intonation and response are all factors which you should consider. The LeBlanc Concerto is a professional level instrument (I own a set--A & Bb) and should be superior to the Yamaha Allegro--but it may be possible (for a variety of accoustical and technical reasons) to find an Allegro that out plays a Concerto. But, there are no absolutes in the playing performance of any clarinet. So play as many different clarinets as you have available and pick the one that suites your fancy.
BTW--although I still own a set of LeBlanc Concertos (handpicked at the Kenosha, WI, LeBlanc factory), my current instruments of choice are a set of Buffet R13's, that I have owned since my college days. So I would recommend that you try some of their models as well--notably, the R13s or the Greenlines, professional grade instruments that play well for me. In the world community of professional clarinet, the Buffet sound remaines the "standard" by which all other clarinets are judged.
However, as the great Duke Ellington often said (regarding what is "good" music), "If it sounds good (to you), it is good." Pick the clarinet that you enjoy playing the most, the one that is "good" for you. Good luck!!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2002-11-18 04:49
William - very good, unbiased advice - bravo (obviously not in the Buffet marfia).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2002-11-18 05:12
The best clarinet is <strike>Buffet</strike>.
The best clarinet is <strike>Buffet</strike>.
The best clarinet is <strike>Buffet</strike>.
diz - cut that out!! ...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bruce
Date: 2002-11-18 07:32
I'm posting at great personal risk since I'm Allison's Dad. Mom, Dad & Allison were all more than a bit suprised that the Yamaha sounded better. We're going to take the excellent advice to try out more clarinets in a nearby much larger city. That should allow her to try more models and more of some specific models.
I know this is probably a tough question to answer, but ... how much variation is there in clarinets of the same model? Was Allison's experiance (Yamaha Allegro > Leblanc Concerto) somewhat or very uncommon?
In addition to the Buffet R13 talked about everywhere, what else should she try? FYI, She's played clarinet for several years already and she's now in the early high school years. She's very dedicated to playing for personal enjoyment and school too. This clarinet will probably be played for many, many years.
Finally, we took the oppertunity at the music store to upgrade Allison's and Mom's mouth pieces and ligatures on thier plastic student clarinets. What a difference even that made!
It's sure nice to get other folk's thoughts.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Stéphane
Date: 2002-11-18 17:00
Bruce,
First of all, congratulations for being supportive of your daughter's passion for clarinetting.
As many already said here, the sound that you have in mind as a player (besides basic caracteristics of intonation, easy response, etc.) is key in choosing a clarinet. Just to say that Allison's experience is not that uncommon as you can find a lot of variations from two same models of the same brands. It can be that Allison had that day an excellent Allegro and a somewhat poor Concerto in her hands, and that the particular sound of the Allegro was matching Allison's taste better than the Concerto and that's enough to make the Allegro outrun the Concerto.
The very good advice that was already given here is to try several different clarinet from same and different brands. As far as brands go, you're on the safe side with what is commonly referred to as the 4 big ones: Buffet, Leblanc, Selmer and Yamaha (this is alphabetical order folks!). They all produce very good quality instruments and have student as well as pro lines. So besides the models Allison has already tried and the Buffet R13, you can try a Selmer Odyssée or Artys (should be available in the US now).
One last importnat thing you mentionned: the m/p-ligature combination is very important too in reaching the sound that you want to produce.
Good luck,
Stéphane (France)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-11-19 17:13
The Yamaha Allegro is a nice clarinet--better than student level, but intonation in the upper registers is usually not as sound as the Concerto. The tone Allison got with the Allegro might be initially more pleasing to the ear, but in the long run the Concerto will be a better instrument and would carry her all the way through high school, college and beyond. The Allegro is a much less expensive instrument (depending upon your deal with your music store), but if money is not a serious object, I would reconsider the Concerto.
Another aspect to consider is how well an instrument "plays with others" in the band or orchestra. In my experience, the Allegro does not "blend" and tune as well with the other instruments in the whole picture. This can be a hinderance to a young musician trying to get ahead in the section. The Allegros I have play-tested required a lot of "ear work" in the throat tones to make them play well in tune.
Leblanc clarinets are famous for their great intonation in all registers--although there are exceptions to every rule. I would agree with the advice to try more clarinets before you buy. Ask your dealer if he carries the Leblanc Esprit. It's less expensive than the Concerto and should be a great comparison to the Yamaha Allegro with better intonation for the young player.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
