Author: SecondTry
Date: 2022-11-29 21:24
Perhaps this disclaimer goes without saying, but I haven't tried the Clarimate yet.
I suspect though that when/if I do, what I have to say below won't change:
The Clarimate strikes me as a
* well thought out first attempt into trying to digitally capture the nuance of clarinet play that
* has a niche market with only those who cannot practice the real thing for fear of disturbing others, but
* falls widely short of being a substitute for true clarinet practice.
I'm not against situations where technology and research advance our art.
I think that significant advances have been made, for example, in the area of synthetic reeds (much that I believe more is needed). But the fact that Buffet couldn't solicit a single one of its artists to rave about the device's merits, or offer a return policy, that it may very well speak to the idea that in its current embodiment, it's better described as a "better than not practicing" tool for the apartment/hotel dweller, or "acoustically frustrated" parent of a beginner, that in no way is a substitute for real play.
I would love to be proven wrong. Someday I hope technology will. Better still, I think it's fair that readers challenge me with a "so you do better" response, given the ease with which any one of us can be arm chair critics, but it's quite another feat to build a better mousetrap.
In the not too distant future my wife and I plan to sell the home we raised a family in and seek, with age, more communal living arrangements. Accordingly, clarinet practice that doesn't affect neighbors has been on my mind, as I research small sound proof booths and devices, like the Saxmute One https://youtu.be/pJYLukWhe4w?t=455 in its application for the clarinet.
I recently came across this DIY https://youtu.be/_iBdXdMDmIE and attempted to recreate it to see what I could learn. Version one of my attempts was hugely lacking but equally informative. When inspired to attempt version two I will likely incorporate a stand and/or neck brace for both sitting and standing play that insures that the most weight a player carries is just that of the clarinet--much that like the Saxmute One, I'd add the ability for the instrument to have its own weight barring system, likely via neck strap.
For time being at least, I think that devices that are large enough to encapsulate the instrument in ways that don't restrict the blowing experience, just the loudness of the sound, but small enough to not encase the player (i.e. a booth) may present better solutions.
I warmly welcome your input and thoughts here. 
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The Clarinet BBoard
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