 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: gaiawolf
Date: 2015-03-17 01:18
So I have been playing the clarinet for 6 years now, and many other instruments for at least half as long. Currently, I am preparing for college (I'm a highschool Junior) and I have been told that I need a professional-level (possibly lower end) clarinet. I currently play on a Blessing JCL-130 (I think) and it's been a great horn for me. My question is, I have a choice between a Couesnon Monopole (c. 1955) and a Yamaha Allegro. I don't know if the Monopole is in fully working condition, I just had it repadded though and the action is pretty nice; the only problem is that some notes can be quite hard to play (especially the middle B/C.) The Allegro has a wonderful action, is very easy to play and is mostly in tune, it gets flat for me in the altissimo however. Which one should I stay with? I need a clarinet that will carry me through college. Thank you
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-03-17 02:16
Before you get any opinions about these two instruments, a couple of more important bits of information are missing.
1. Are you planning to become a music major (performance or education) in college and do you plan to audition for major schools of music?
2. Are you currently studying clarinet with a private teacher?
If your hope is to become a clarinet major in a decent college or university music program, then the answer to #2 needs to be "yes," or you need to find a knowledgeable teacher ASAP. A teacher can guide you much better than we can about an instrument.
Is there a reason why your choices are limited to those two? In general Yamaha has a better reputation for quality than Monopole, which is a name I haven't heard of in decades. Yamaha Allegro is still an intermediate student line, but may be adequate if it's in good condition and plays well. But someone knowledgeable needs to play or hear you play both of them to be able to tell you if either of them would be suitable for serious (college level) clarinet study.
Karl
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Author: gaiawolf
Date: 2015-03-17 02:29
Karl,
I appreciate your help. Yes, I am going to be a Music Major. I plan to go for a performance degree in Clarinet and possibly Saxophone, then education afterwards. If I have to switch (in case things don't work out) and do education first, then I will. I am currently looking for a teacher right now, as my band director is a brass player. And my choices right now are limited to these as I really don't have much money to spare on something like an R-13, as I'm saving up to move right now. My friend has the Yamaha, I have the Monopole. I may have the oppurtunity to switch soon, and I just really like that one. It's grenadilla, it has very durable keys and a full sound.
-Gaia
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Author: gaiawolf
Date: 2015-03-17 02:35
Let me also add that I may be able to swap this one for a Buffet, or a Boosey/Hawkes, or something similar. If I get the oppurtunity to get something different, should i take it?
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-03-17 03:24
The Allegro I believe, falls between the current 450 and 650. This is an intermediate-level instrument, but Yamaha build quality is high and it is a very capable instrument. The Monopole, when properly set up, is a surprisingly good instrument. If yours has problems with some notes then I suspect that you may have a leak or leaks somewhere, as mine is very free-blowing. Even so, it is a good instrument of the period when it was made, and might not compare well with a modern instrument. There have been a number of significant improvements in clarinet design since then. Boosey and Hawkes made very good instruments, but some have tuning issues so be sure to try it against a tuner. What model are you considering? You should be looking at the Imperial or the Emperor. I suggest you avoid the 1010, as it limits you in your choice of mouthpiece. If you're looking at a Buffet, then unless it's an R13 it may not offer any real advantage over a well set up Monopole. You might consider looking at the professional-level Leblanc range, they are excellent instruments and can be bought at bargain prices.
Tony F.
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Author: efsf081
Date: 2015-03-17 04:10
If the middle B/C of a clarinet is hard to play, it probability caused by the pad problem. Maybe some of the pads are not balanced very well. You can test it with a thin cigarette paper.
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Author: gaiawolf
Date: 2015-03-17 06:22
Tony, im looking at a Boosey Imperial. I should probably get the chance to play these soon. If possible, maybe an R13. Ive checked it out, there is a leak in the lower pads. I dont know if this contributes to the sound, but theres also a hairline crack in the bell that goes up to the top ring. Ive been told that a Leblanc Bliss is available, too. As for mouthpieces, I use a Selmer Nilo W. Hovey with 3/12 to 4 strength Rico Royal reeds.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-03-17 07:51
Hi,
The Imperial could be a good buy, depending on condition and the individual instrument. Be sure to check the tuning with a decent digital tuner. There are some smart-phone apps for tuners. The hairline crack in the bell won't make a lot of difference. Personally, I'd look at the Bliss as well. They are a much more modern instrument than the Imperial and incorporate a lot of technological advances. I've just sold a really good one and it was a lovely instrument to play. Unfortunately it didn't really suit my oversized hands, otherwise I would have kept it. It tuned very well and really sang. I'm not familiar with your mouthpiece, but they are a very individual thing.
Tony F.
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Author: sax panther
Date: 2015-03-17 12:13
Couesnon Monopoles are very underrated instruments. I played on one a couple of years ago and felt that it was just as nice as my Leblanc Opus. If you can get someone to take a look at the notes that you're having problems with, then I'd hang on to that instrument - they're a very well kept secret.
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Author: gaiawolf
Date: 2015-03-17 16:53
I really appreciate the help everyone has been giving me. I am going to wait and see what my friend has; he repairs clarinets and goes through quite a few in a short time. As it stands right now, unless he gets a new professional-grade clarinet, I'm going to see if he can set up my Couesnon. I really like it, don't get me wrong; but from what has been said, I think it would be worth it to have it worked on- if I can't get something better. Thank you
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-03-17 19:45
My thoughts:
1. Keep the Couesnon for now. It can be properly considered an entry-level professional instrument. If you can play it in tune and make it sound gorgeous, there will be no need to make apologies about who made your clarinet.
2. If you upgrade to a new professional clarinet now before seeking the advice and counsel of your clarinet instructor(s) at college, they may not agree with your choice and that could lead to some friction during lessons. So keep the Couesnon, head off to college with it, and keep in mind that you're saving up for that one carefully chosen clarinet that both you AND your instructor(s) will love.
3. You are going to need a good backup clarinet as a Music major, as does anyone who is serious about the instrument. If you end up buying another clarinet, the Couesnon will serve you well while your principal instrument is out of service. It's always an excellent--and very often overlooked--idea to have a backup clarinet that you would look forward to performing with.
4. If you already know where you'll be attending college, contact your clarinet instructor there for recommendations on where to send the Couesnon to be put into top playing condition. Since it'll be your principal performance instrument for now and a backup instrument in the future, you absolutely must do what it takes to make it as playable and reliable as possible. It's an investment, not an expense.
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Author: gaiawolf
Date: 2015-03-19 04:27
I have news.
1. The Monopole is back to full, working condition. I can play Rhapsody in Blue (all bends, too) with no problem, all notes from the low E to the very high (it's literally a squeak for me) the high Bb above high G resonate very well in the instrument. The altissimo tends to go slightly flat, I can compensate. Throat tones very easy to control. Overall, my Couesnon plays better than my friend's LeBlanc.
2. The key action is too high and the top joint needs new cork; getting the horn back tomorrow with these issues solved.
3. My band director didn't know much to say. He helped me to decide on better options I have in college, and he thought my clarinet would carry well for me throughout college as, if not a primary instrument, a secondary.
I don't doubt I'll probably get an R13 in the future; I know for a fact that when I get out of college, I will look for a better clarinet. But for now, this one plays phenomenally for me. Thank you everyone for your help.
-Gaia
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