 The Ethnic Clarinet
|
Author: zabu
Date: 2004-01-14 17:45
hello,
which clarinet would you recommend for playing klezmer?
i am an beginner. for your information: i don't have enough money to buy an very expensive one - typically student :-)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ChrisC
Date: 2004-01-14 19:00
I believe that the most "authentic" type of clarinet for playing klezmer is a German system instrument in the key of C...however, most American klezmer clarinetists today play Boehm system Bb's, since German system instruments are pretty much unknown in the US. It's now considered entirely authentic to play klezmer on a Boehm instrument. Since you are in Germany, I suspect that the least expensive, most widely available clarinets would be German system Bb models, and I have no reason to believe that it would not work to play klezmer on such instruments. While you will find that there some klezmer clarinet purists, as in all fields, the bottom line is that klezmer is a folk music and is therefore playable on any instrument; you shouldn't worry about the exact model or fingering system. Any well-made clarinet should do the trick.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Haegar
Date: 2004-01-15 09:14
Hi zabu,
my clarinet teacher who introduced me to the world of klezmer plays a german system and I play klezmer on my boehm system - there is no difference at all for playing klezmer, you must feel comfortable withe the system / keywork.
Btw. I think the "classical" klezmer clarinet could be the "albert" system, because of the period of time when klezmer and clarinet met???
I think a c clarinet to start with is a little bit difficult, because there are no "classical" clarinet books are available in "C", but on the other hand side even here in gemany (many real/fake books are not available for legal reasons) there are some nice collections of klezmer sheet available.
Btw. I think we just talk about these issues ;-)))
ciao
Thorsten
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jimmy
Date: 2004-01-17 16:47
I thought it was a G clarinet that was the one that was used origonally.
oh well!
Jimmy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jimmy
Date: 2004-01-17 16:51
there are also reformed boehm system clarinets, with the boehm system on a german bore, If you want the german sound but dont know the instrument. Yamaha makes very good ones for a resonable price. the other brands I know of are more expencive, hand made models. I know several american klezmer players who use these.
Jimmy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2004-01-19 11:31
The same instrument you use for any other playing will work for Klezmer playing. There are Klezmer performers who use Boehm, Oehler, and Albert keying systems. Some people use a more open mouthpiece, but some also use the same mouthpiece for all styles of playing. Your best choice will be whatever you are comfortable with.
Regards,
Ralph
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Merlin Shepherd
Date: 2004-09-02 18:49
The question is (as always) what sound do you want?
I use a late 19th Century French C instrument and the system pre-dates either the Boehm (correctly called the Klosé) or the Oehler. It is technically called the "Simple System" (not the "Albert", as the Belgian Albert modified the simple system) and it sounds VERY different to either Oehler or Boehm. Many players use the Boehm because they are easier to get hold of, play in tune, and sound more like what the modern ear wants to hear. I also use a Vandoren Austria lay mouthpiece with a black master number 4 reed. It works for me and sounds very "old fashioned" which is what I like to sound like.
If you prefer a modern sound then go French (Boehm). Most people do. German (Oehler) has to my ear a better sound for Klezmer, but again it is different to the old sound.
If you want to hear how my 19th Century Simple systen C sounds, then listen to Budowitz "Wedding Without a Bride" or Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars "Brotherhood of Brass" (although this also has the more modern sound of Matt Darriau) or Introducing Sukke.
It is different, mind you, we all hear and therfore play in different ways....
speak soon
Merlin
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
