 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2025-12-01 15:12
Hi all!
I have done it! After years of frustration regarding my old clarinet (namely always wondering: is it me, or the clarinet?) I have finally purchased a new Buffet R13.
May I just say-- WOW. It's not perfect (I will be sending it to get the springs loosened and the pad heights adjusted), but it's LEAGUES better than what I had. I can only assume that my parents both suffered some kind of mental break, because somehow they agreed to pay for half of it-- with no other expectations of me other than "use it well." I'm floored. The day I got it I didn't put it down for 5 hours (since regretting that-- my bottom lip hurts).
My initial plan was to wait till January and try a whole bunch of clarinets, but I figured this'll do, especially considering that 1) it's the most popular professional clarinet in the world, and 2) my parents' fit of generosity.
I have named it Thaddeus.
Reese Oller
Clarinet student (performance major at Millikin University)
I can play bass clarinet, Eb clarinet, BBb contra, alto saxophone, bassoon at a decent level, and flute in a pinch.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2025-12-01 16:37
Not you again, you arrogant prick. Get the **** out of my positivity post.
Loser.
Reese Oller
Clarinet student (performance major at Millikin University)
I can play bass clarinet, Eb clarinet, BBb contra, alto saxophone, bassoon at a decent level, and flute in a pinch.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2025-12-01 17:09
I found the R13 to be more resistant than my previous clarinet-- I do feel that for that extra resistance, I do get a lot more core in my sound at lower dynamics-- and it can get impressively loud, too, without sacrificing tone.
I did have to start adjusting my reeds differently. This clarinet needs a bit lighter of a heart in order to remove the fuzziness in the low E/F.
Speaking of F-- thumb F/C is quite a lot flatter than I am used to. I found this to be the case with the Festival and the R13 Prestige, but not the BCXXI or the Tradition. I'm putting it down to bore shape. It's an easy enough adjustment, I suppose.
I am biting a lot more on this clarinet than my old one. Perhaps it's subconscious?
I plan on doing my jury piece on my old clarinet, just because I'm used to its tuning tendencies. After that, though, it's Thaddeus's turn to shine-- hopefully for the next 20 years!
Reese Oller
Clarinet student (performance major at Millikin University)
I can play bass clarinet, Eb clarinet, BBb contra, alto saxophone, bassoon at a decent level, and flute in a pinch.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2025-12-01 21:28
So do I.......... LOL
Though I don't often use it do to pain and laziness, I strongly believe that it is easier to produce a satisfying tone using double lip rather than single lip. I'm actually writing a whole paper on it right now!
Reese Oller
Clarinet student (performance major at Millikin University)
I can play bass clarinet, Eb clarinet, BBb contra, alto saxophone, bassoon at a decent level, and flute in a pinch.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: m1964
Date: 2025-12-02 03:57
Reese Oller wrote:
"I have done it! After years of frustration regarding my old clarinet (namely always wondering: is it me, or the clarinet?) I have finally purchased a new Buffet R13...
...The day I got it I didn't put it down for 5 hours (since regretting that-- my bottom lip hurts)."
You need to beak it in slowly- Buffet recommends playing for no more than 30 min/day for a month.
When I get a dry clarinet, I play 15 min./day first week, then slowly increase playing time.
Five hours playing on a brand new clarinet is a good recipe for getting a crack. Hope you are lucky and do not get one.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tom H
Date: 2025-12-02 07:13
I too recall the feeling when my DuBois clarinet was replaced by my first of 3 R13s. Back in 1971 in 11th grade. My parents broke down and ponied up the full $250 for that new Buffet....
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book-- Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
