 The Ethnic Clarinet
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2002-01-08 01:54
After years of playing boehm system clarinet, I've decided that my step in learning is to try to learn some of the tunes I normally perform on what I will call " the original instruments". I've recently acquired a 1890's vintage Buffet Albert system. It returned from my extrordinary technician Steve Fowler. I've had it for 2 weeks and have really enjoyed the slow scales and the getting use to something that feels this strange in the hands. It has very unique sound. I can play a few of my tunes on, I took it to a bar mitzvah the other day and performed 3 tunes on it. The rest of the guys said it sounded pretty cool. I also purchased an alber C clarinet. So I hope to in the next few weeks find a way and a place to put up some sound files where I play both Clarinets and give all the klez fans on this list a chance to hear the differences. I will say this I think it is easier to play a D phrygish scale on an alber system. I think it is way easier than trying to play a D minor scale. So right off the bat I think that the oldtimers had the right horn for the right mode.
So here is to a new and exciting journey
Tom Puwalski, author of The Clarinetists Guide to Klezmer
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Author: Lawrence
Date: 2002-01-30 22:44
Tom,
I wonder if an Albert system clarinet would help me with my finger problems. My fingers are very wide, almost too wide to fit between the keys of a "standard" (is that a boehm?) clarinet. I have posted on the Sneezy board in the past and received several suggestions, one of which was to try a clarinet with plateau keys. I bought a used one but I'm not yet convinced this will be satisfactory. I've never seen a Albert in the flesh, only poor pictures on the web. Since there are fewer keys, is there more space in-between?
Lawrence
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2002-02-01 19:45
Tim,
Exciting!
Where can I get "The Clarinetists Guide to Klezmer"?
Ralph
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-02-21 23:54
Get rid of the Boehm altogether now you have discovered the real thing. I use a 21 key Oehler and an old Henri Farny Albert for everything and I have a 9 key Kohlert and an 8 keyed eefer. Non clarinettists especially notice the difference in sound.
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Author: merlin
Date: 2010-02-12 15:33
I've been playing Albert system clarinet exclusively for 15 years or so. I started playing because I liked the sound and I wanted to play the ornaments I heard only on old recordings. I think at the time I was one of, if not the only person playing an Albert C on the Klezmer scene and I'm delighted more people are understanding that it simply sounds better. Feels better too....
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Author: merlin
Date: 2010-02-14 09:54
Hi Ralph,
Yes I do. I had an Orsi with two rings, duo-do (or patent F#, which means it was an Albert) and no rollers that sounded and played wonderfully. I sold it about a year ago.
I also have a Hammerschmidt C with 4 rings and rollers (and patent F#) that I'm thinking of selling too. I simply prefer the sound and feel of my old Martin Frere, two ringer.
I haven't tried any other modern Albert Cs...but the two I've had play really well.
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Author: Kalakos
Date: 2010-02-15 04:29
Hi, Merlin:
I concur with all you said.
Ralph, the upper joint can have no rings, and the lower joint will have 2 rings. That's a "2 ringer." If the upper joint also has 2 rings (we Greeks call them "matoyialia" or "eye glasses") then it's a 4 ringer. I happen to prefer the clarinets in C, and with no upper rings. Some models have even 3 rings on the upper joint. Many of the German "Oehler" system even have 6 rings (ie 3 on the top and 3 on the bottom).
The tone of the Albert and Simple system clarinets is absolutely necessary for Greek music, and really the prototype sound for the New Orleans/traditional jazz sound.
Kalakos
Merlin and I are both moderators on the Greek Turkish Clarinet Forum by the way.
Kalakos
Kalakos Music
http://www.TAdelphia.com
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