 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-05-17 11:21
Years ago, my teacher was trying out different clarinets with a view to getting a new one -he didn't buy them; they were given to him -he had us try them out and listen to him actually in the concert hall that he regularly performed in. Would that we all had that luxury! Trying something out in a shop or in your bedroom isn't the same as doing this is a large venue. The large venue is the ultimate proof of your instrument's quality. But, how can this be arranged?
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
Post Edited (2026-05-17 11:22)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2026-05-17 17:02
ruben wrote:
> The large venue is the ultimate proof of your instrument's quality.
> But, how can this be arranged?
>
Become the Principal Clarinetist of an internationally reputed symphony orchestra and anything becomes possible.
Karl
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-05-17 17:14
Karl: I never gave your solution a try! Now, it's too late.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2026-05-17 17:26
See if you can reserve a hall at a university. Luckily, when I did this with my piccolo headjoints, one of my friends was still in school (I could've gone to one of the professors though, and I'm sure they would've reserved it for me).
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-05-17 17:45
When you try out an instrument or a mouthpiece in a music store, they put you in an echoey room that makes you sound good. It's like the mirrors in clothes shops thjat make you look like Brad Pitt.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2026-05-17 19:16
Actually it is even more basic than that. You are most familiar with (and dependent on) the sounds that you make in the space that you use most. That means when you are in a store (or wherever you're most likely to try out a new piece of gear......or horn) you really need to determine what YOU and your current gear sounds like FIRST). Once you know that, then you have a ghost of a chance trying the "new" thing and comparing that difference in timbre and response.
Of course putting the clarinet into the middle of where you will be using it most is the FINAL test. I had one deflating experience with a Leblanc (the Opus when it first came out). Alone, in pretty much any space, I thought it was just unbeatable. However in context with the section of Buffets, the sound got kinda lost, and I had to gave up on it.
Bottom line then, if it (whatever "it" is) functions great in the context where you use it, then "it" IS great.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-05-17 20:22
Paul: The Leblanc Ambiance discontinued in very little time -sounded great in a 15-square-meter room, but failed to carry in the concert hall. Even its tester/ designer gave up on it.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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