 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: christian_comeau
Date: 2007-01-13 13:45
Hi all!
This afternoon, I'm going shopping for my first professional clarinet!
Of course, I'll try as much as possible... but how to try!?
Playing trough the entire range, listening to the sound (of course)... intonation, what else?
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Author: bufclar
Date: 2007-01-13 14:24
I would also pay attention to the depth of sound and how well you can connect intervals through out the range of the instrument. I think it's safe to say that most clarinets sound good at soft dynamic levels but some don't at forte and above so check everything at forte as well.
Check the grain of the wood as well as the polish of the bore. Clarinets with a ruff bore do not always translate into a bad instrument(which has been talked about a lot on this board) but make sure you look at the finish of the bore and tone holes as part of your evaluation.
Lastly,
Be patient and dilligent. Don't accept an instrument unless you are really happy with it.
Have fun and happy shopping!
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2007-01-13 14:51
Take your tuner along. Check interval jumps --say from middle C to every other note. Tune the starting note, change fingering and see what happens.
Check the 12ths to see if there is a consistent tunning difference between the low and middle registers. If there is consistency, that can be improved with a barrel.
Play scales, and watch the tuner. Be sure that you can managed the instrument's tuning vagaries.
Then, listen to the tone and responsiveness.
Bob Phillips
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Author: William
Date: 2007-01-13 15:06
In addition to advice above, I would also recommend taking the clarinet you finally select (in the audition room) out of the shoppe--on approval, etc--to a rehearsal or other actual playing situation to see how it performs "in the real world". Often, a clarinet that sounds very good in the practice room will not perform as well--or at least, differently--in a live ensemble.
It may be also helpful for you to have someone else listen to each of clarinets and offer their opinions, especially on tone quality.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-01-13 16:26
Very good advice above. As Wm said well, I also have a BIT to add. Having had the pleasure [and flattery] to be consulted by a beautiful Jr. College student re: her quite new Buffet having a slight buzz with the E4, which bothered her more than me ! On close inspection the venting pad had a slight edge-break, so replacing that pad made both of us relieved and happy. Also my looking hard at the uniformity of adjacent note soundings on several of my pro Selmers and Leblancs [IMHO] suggests another good analytical method for overall cl evaluation. Check everything, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2007-01-13 16:48
I would add to William's suggestion to take the one or two selected clarinets on approval. Indeed if the shop won't allow this.....leave the shop and go elsewhere.
Taking clarinets on approval allow you yes, to get opinions from techers, colleagues and other pros you know, but I think more importantly, that this time alone with the clarinets without shop staff plaguing you, is so valuable. You are much more relaxed, not feeling that you have to "perform" and also that you have the possibility to try the clarinets in different acoustic areas. eg church, hall, rehearsal rooms, even the "cupboard under the stairs" if you wish!
EVEN THEN if you're not happy with the choice you made in the shop you are not obliged to purchase. BE very critical, but at the same time enjoy your first experience of the "pro class clarinet".
Bob T
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-01-13 17:03
Remember - a new clarinet is still very much a "work in progress".
Most likely, the instrument will have to be rechecked for correct pad seating, proper venting , spring tension, keys operating efficiently (no lost motion) and quietness.
If the clarinet is in the ballpark via tuning, response and coloration, the other above items can be easily remedied.
On the other hand, after trying a number of clarinets one may just "jump out at you" as the one.
Trust your instincts, but have a second pair of ears along with you for confirmation.
Case in point:
I recently sold one of my older R13's to a colleague. I gave him 3 nice ones to choose from. Within minutes he found the one which was (for him, and I agreed) better than the other 2.
Although the other 2 were excellent -
Sometimes you just know.
BTW - I presently have NO clarinets for sale ...GBK
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2007-01-13 18:07
Hmmm...GBK...does that mean you have only 15623943 R13's from 69-74 left?
Katrina
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-01-13 18:10
That one was actually from 1976, so I could afford to let it go ...GBK
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Author: Mags1957
Date: 2007-01-13 18:36
"Most likely, the instrument will have to be rechecked for correct pad seating, proper venting , spring tension, keys operating efficiently (no lost motion) and quietness."
This will be much less prevelent if you buy one of the following clarinets:
1) A top-of-the-line Yamaha. Most are great right out of the box.
2) One of the new Backun Leblancs - also great out of the box.
3) A Lyrique by Tom Ridenour - hand finished by one of the master clarinet craftsmen.
I am partial to those clarinets, the fact that they need no "tweaking", and that they are on the inexpensive side of pro clarinets (if you consider the Leblanc Cadenza, Lyrique, & Yamaha CSG) makes them a double bargain, IMO. Also, if you get a Cadenza, you get an "aftermarket quality" barrel and bell, saving you hundreds. Some people just prefer Buffets, and are willing to pay the price to buy them and have them set-up. I have no quarrel with them, whatever floats your boat!
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Author: christian_comeau
Date: 2007-01-14 00:51
Hey, thanks everyone...
Unfortunately, I couldn't bring it home to try it in "real-life" since I live pretty far from any music seller...
I finally bought an R13 GL...
After trying 8 of the same model (I guess this was enough)
Long life to this BBoard!
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