Author: Andrew Gardiner
Date: 2005-02-11 21:04
I was in a similar sort of situation. I had a C clarinet because I became interested in its tone before I started klezmer, finding it useful when playing with others in mixed instrument groups, so klezmer was a good opportunity to play it more. In general I think it has a smaller sweeter sound, somewhere between the clarinet and recorder at times, though high up it can be very bright and strident. I think of it as having a pastoral quality about it that makes it good for folk type music.
It takes a little getting used to at first: your fingers are closer together and even slight accidental touching of rings and keys can block the sound. Also the upper register (above top C) needs work. I think there's a general rule that the shorter the clarinet, the more difficult it is to play in altissimo register (the A clarinet is a little easier than the Bb in that respect?). Intonation can sometimes be a problem. I think they have a reputation for that! Mine is certainly flattish up top, but that's a problem in many modern clarinets. Otherwise it seems not too bad. I bought it new (Noblet student model, wood), as I believe they are very hard to come by second hand. Overall I have been very pleased with it and for the last 6 months have played it almost exclusively. Lately I have been dreaming about owning a Wurlitzer C-clarinet (reform Boehm system), as I imagine this to be a very good clarinet, but they are extremely expensive! Has anyone any experience of them?
Andrew Gardiner
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The Ethnic Clarinet
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