 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2012-05-01 19:09
I tried to warn her it was hard...it can mess up your teeth...all those things, but she still wants to play clarinet. I ordered her a Backun Bliss. I can truly say it was the best out of the box clarinet I've ever played for under 2,000.00 (paid 1,200.00 on ww&bw). My personal instruments are always hand-selected and have the keys balanced and pads changed, so they are always great right out of the box (well, not always). But for one that has not been modified, this one is great.
It puts me back playing a bit, since I retired from my orchestra position a couple of years ago. And, it will make us closer....or not.....
I'm sure there have been many comments on this instrument, but want to add my sincere approval to the list because it is a huge savings over some that are truly less in quality.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-05-01 19:28
Interesting. Did you have a chance to compare the Bliss (I assume it's an LB-210) to the Yamaha YCL-450 and YCL-650? I've generally heard good things about the Bliss clarinets but what concerns me is that I'm not usre if they are even being made anymore since the partnership between Leblanc and Backun ended 2 years ago and it appears that Conn-Selmer has basically killed off the Leblanc brand.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2012-05-02 02:56
>> what concerns me is that I'm not usre if they are even being made anymore <<
In about 99.9% (or more) of the times, this doesn't matter. So it shouldn't really be a concern, whether true or not.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-05-02 03:55
clarnibass wrote:
> >> what concerns me is that I'm not usre if they are even being
> made anymore <<
>
> In about 99.9% (or more) of the times, this doesn't matter. So
> it shouldn't really be a concern, whether true or not.
I meant more that I'm concerned that a pretty good intermediate model may no longer be in production, which would be a pity. Considering that most of my clarinets have been out of production for decades I don't really think buying a discontinued model is a big deal.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-05-02 06:52
Brenda wrote - I tried to warn her it was hard...it can mess up your teeth...all those thingsI'm interested in why you feel her teeth.
Forgive me, but how does the clarinet mess up your teeth? I haven't heard of this, but I guess it can happen. Anyway can someone tell me how this can happen? Is it related to biting?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-05-02 08:53
I suppose the way a clarinet mouthpiece would angle when the instrument is placed close to the body might lend itself to 'overbite/underbite' issues if done while the mature teeth were coming in. But I don't really think anyone starts that young on clarinet. I don't actually remember when my front teeth came in.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: BobD
Date: 2012-05-02 10:59
Regarding the teeth perhaps it's a factor only on young children whose teeth are in the process of developing.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2012-05-03 14:40
I used to have a business buying clarinets for parents and I bought many Yamaha 450s and Buffet E-11s, etc. IMO the Bliss is better than these two. I don't know about the future of the instrument, but I'm sure Morrie Backun would be happy to answer any inquires you may have about them. I have a local woodwind technician, so I'm not very worried about the future. He can fix it if I need it fixed in the future.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2012-05-03 14:48
The pressure a young player puts on his/her upper front teeth can cause them to move out of alignment. She has just come out of braces and has a perfectly beautiful smile. Also, she is a very serious ballerina and takes 4 classes a week in ballet as well as has been accepted to some upper level ballet camps this summer. She is approaching this with moderate interest and isn't thinking of it as something she wants to stick with for a long time. She says she just wants to play 2 years (that could change, of course).
When I was 12 and wore braces my orthodontist told me I could keep playing clarinet as long as I didn't practice. What????? Oh well, that was what he said and he explained the pressure that is on the upper front teeth while playing does eventually cause them to move. I can assure you that I cut back on my practice, but continued to play until just last year (50 years in all), and my teeth did move out of alignment a bit. I use double lip and I'm going to try to teach that to her because it does take the pressure off.
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Author: JulianBliss
Date: 2012-05-12 20:02
Hi All
Brenda, Firstly Thankyou for your nice comments. I hope your Granddaughter enjoys the instrument and hopefully she lets you play it once in a while!
I just thought id mention, based on some other comments, that Leblanc is 100% here to stay! We have many exciting things ahead of us and i can tell you that the Leblanc Bliss clarinet is very much still in production. We are always striving to make the instruments the best that they can be!
have a good weekend everyone
Julian
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Author: Morrie Backun
Date: 2012-05-13 00:14
Hello Brenda,
Congratulations on having another Clarinet player in the family. I am sure that you will find great joy in sharing a common interest.
Since you mention you purchased a "Backun Bliss," I wanted to provide some background information.
I finished my work with Leblanc in 2010 and have not been involved from that time. While I was consulting for Leblanc, wooden Bells and Barrels used for Bliss instruments were made at Backun Musical in Vancouver. That work concluded in 2010.
Since then, I have been doing consulting work for Antigua, on the design of an excellent affordable wooden Clarinet. The body, bell and barrel for the Antigua are made in Vancouver at Backun Musical. (from our exceptional stock of aged woods) For those that have not tried Antigua, I highly recommend this Clarinet as an exceptional instrument and great value. Antigua, which is part of the Reliance group in Asia is a huge company. In fact, they manufactured keyword for the Leblanc Bliss Clarinets while I was involved with the project. I was so impressed with their technology and manufacturing expertise that when they approached me to do design work, I was confident they would do a great job in executing the design.....AND THEY HAVE! I have been so impressed with the Antigua staff and their desire to learn and apply the best techniques to make excellent instruments. This is a company that you will be hearing a lot about in the years ahead.
Backun Music recently introduced our own affordable Clarinet line (wooden) in both Cocobolo and Grenadilla (Protege) and the response has been overwhelming. You will be seeing these instruments soon in dealers showrooms. I look forward to hearing your comments, once you try the Clarinets.
Several companies have been working on Clarinet designs and manufacturing methods and it is wonderful to see the world of Clarinets having many choices so players can find the best possible instrument for them!
I hope that the instruments you choose, brings great joy and elevates your music making .
Morrie Backun
Backun Musical Services
604-205-5770
morrie@backunmusical.com
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Author: ozwind
Date: 2012-05-13 00:47
G'day Brenda
Congratulations that your grandddaughter has wanted to play clarinet considering how busy she is already in the arts with serious ballet classes and camps.
Your selection of instrument is obviously an excellent one, particularly in light of the comment she only wants to play it for a couple of years. I started with a Boosey & Hawkes 'Regent' 60 years ago, and it's still going strong. I gave it to my grand daughter recently but got it back when I 'swapped' her for a Yamaha CL 24 which I happened to find on EBay, pre-loved by another young miss.
I also use a double olip embrochure and have instilled this into my granddaughter more for the purity of tone rather than keeping her teeth straight.
I think it's time to let her try stuff and come up with which ever art form she decides to follow in the future by trying many instruments and athletic forms of movement - just be a granny and encourage her in her endeavours.
After all, if she ends up like a Benny Goodman with a couople of teeth that are not PERFECT she'll still make the whole world smile.
Moggy
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2012-05-13 04:09
Thanks for the comments. Julian, I know you don't remember, but you selected a bell for me at Morrie's place several years back when you were there getting outfitted for an extended range clarinet for Mozart. Morrie passed the telephone to you and we chatted a bit. The bell is a wonderful thing.
Morrie, thanks for the info. I'm sure whatever you do will be of excellence. Keep up the good work.
Claire will do well at whatever she does because she is also a child of excellence.
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