Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2016-02-06 06:35
I'm getting acquainted with a growing number of folks in the Eb community. Almost all have some sort of modifications to/on their horn. I do have a couple friends (both with Symphony assignments) that play "stock" Eb Patricola clarinets. It might be that most modifications available don't fit their Patricola horns, not particularly certain. The one close buddy tried, and the tenons were different diameters, so there you go. I am a big fan of Eb, always have been.
Somehow the German-system players always have a more "manly" sound (sorry, I don't know how else to say it!), but dang-it if I'm going into my elder-years trying to learn a new playing system! My non-modified (Patricola or not) friends do suffer a wee bit from what I would call an "ocarina-effect." It loses the true clarinet tone and ringing sound from top-line F through the throat tones, and then totally loses it on low E and F. Patricola has addressed the low notes with a long bell with a side vent, similar to a "home-grown" Fobes extension idea. But the mid-range still takes on the qualities of a high-end ocarina!
Here's what I figured out, personally. Since my last post here on the 25th of January, it now being the 5th of February, I have scads of hours of Eeffer practice and performance in with the tulipwood Backun barrel and bell. Since the purchase of this R13 horn (6 + months), I've tried various Vandoren mouthpieces, it came with a B44, and I've tried the 5RV and B40. All 3 play okay, but not marvelous. I am thrilled by my Clark Fobes Eb mouthpiece (currently he only markets one, though rumors abound that I'll soon be spending $300 for his new model, in about 3 months or so) and find it resplendent! I just gave the Walter Grabner Eb mouthpiece a good test-out. I think many or most players will fall in love with Walter's piece, but for me, something with my "innards" - it was lacking just a wee bit in what I would call depth. Anyway, stock - out of the box - the R13 played pretty much in tune, had a good core of sound, but still had that weird non-clarinetty tonal character in the throat to mid-F. This was helped greatly by a 41.5 Clark Fobes Barrel. Very nice improved sound, but still had a wee-bit of that "toy" sound in the throat up to mid F. The bottom end issues all went away with the Fobes extension. I picked up a Backun grenadilla barrel, and found the ocarina is no longer around! Wow! Plus the added benefit that I'm not butchering the ends off the Bb reeds with a hack-saw anymore.
I heard a You-Tube teaching by Jessica Phillips of the Met Opera Orchestra, talking about the Backun Tulipwood Barrel and Bell. I found her sound lovely, and that planted the seed there! I finally bought my set, and it is indeed wonderful - total transformation. Except for the range, most friends can't really tell if I'm E-flatting of B-flatting! The sound is rich, muscular, and -yes- manly!
Now - a last issue, the bell has Backun's tone-ring. It is a wee bit longer. But, just the nature of the wee beast, the middle D had a slightly fuzzy quality - that is totally cured with the Fobes extension! I'm still getting the full effect of the Backun design, and the wonderful sound, only enhanced again, by the Fobes extension. So - it stays!
I do love Eeffer life!
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
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