Author: Hugues Fardao
Date: 2020-12-03 17:49
Hello, I'm from France and just registered here today to talk about Alto clarinets.
I picked up a Bundy resonite Alto clarinet in january 2018, just trying because I wanted lower notes than on my regular Bb clarinet, and I fell in love with the Alto, so I decided to choose a professional one (in fact my first pro horn), and found a second hand Selmer Paris a few months ago (september 2020).
According to the serial number, my Selmer was built in 1988 or 1989, so it's a "modern" horn. Seems that Alto clarinets did not really evolved since 50 years or so, and I'm sure my Selmer is the same instrument than recent Selmer ones.
Absolutly love it. Small bore (17 mm.), sweet sound, very good chalumeau (and that's what I'm looking for), clear and solid clarion, with difficulty on high B and C when started right on these notes, but no problems when they are part of a scale from low clarion to high register. And the high register is not hard to play.
I play on a good Selmer C* mouthpiece, standard and medium open (I don't like closed mouthpieces). About strap vs. peg, I usualy hate neck straps but I have a BG S02M shoulder strap, a leather epaulette lined with sponge, and wear it on the neck : the large epaulette is more on my shoulders and the base of my neck than on my neck only, and I feel very comfortable.
I wish I could test a Buffet Crampon Prestige Alto and a Yamaha too... I play-tested a Leblanc, good intonation, good sound, but I did'nt like the ergonomy, and the way I blow in it. I do prefer Selmer keywork and response. For me, old french Leblanc and modern Selmer Alto clarinets are good instruments.
My Selmer seems to me I "talk" with it, sending feelings and thoughts it sends back to me and the audience.
Post Edited (2020-12-03 17:53)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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