 The Clarinet BBoard
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Author: kurth83
Date: 2025-12-02 09:50
Congrats I bought an R13 recently too, best clarinet I own. Second best is my E12F, which plays remarkably similar to the R13. :-)
I am sure you will do well with yours.
I can only do double lip if I use a softer reed, so I wouldn't use it in a symphonic band where I mostly need volume, but in more exposed work where subtle nuances carry through I can see where it could really shine.
EDIT: Apologies for the above, I don't know what I am talking about, thanks for correcting it. :-)
It might be time to evaluate mouthpiece and reed too, to see if there is a better match to the new horn. I switched after I got my R13. It was a very small change to a very similar mouthpiece, just a slightly easier blow. It was quite some time before I got fully acclimated to the R13 in retrospect. But I got to where it was better than my previous one pretty quickly.
I have never named an instrument. I did name my robovac however, I call him junior, he always does his chores. :-)
Aging classical trumpet player learning clarinet as a second.
Post Edited (2025-12-03 08:43)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2025-12-02 19:45
kurth83 wrote:
> I can only do double lip if I use a softer reed, so I wouldn't
> use it in a symphonic band where I mostly need volume, but in
> more exposed work where subtle nuances carry through I can see
> where it could really shine.
I cringe whenever I read anything like this. I'd counter that if mostly all you need is volume in your band, you may not be in a good band. Good bands have a dynamic range and use it.
Karl
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Author: kdk
Date: 2025-12-02 19:48
Reese Oller wrote:
> 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."
Maybe they feel that you've matured and have shown your ability to respect a quality instrument. That's something for you to feel good about.
Karl
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-12-02 22:51
Volume doesn't equate to good musicianship - being in full control of your dynamic range does. Having to play loud isn't good for you or anyone around you.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2025-12-02 22:51)
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Author: ruben
Date: 2025-12-02 23:35
It's a good thing we have a few youngsters on this board and I hope we keep getting them. I would have been very happy to have something like this board when I was a youngster, but that was long before electricity had been invented!
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: kdk
Date: 2025-12-02 23:58
Chris P wrote:
> Volume doesn't equate to good musicianship - being in full
> control of your dynamic range does. Having to play loud isn't
> good for you or anyone around you.
>
I've been playing principal clarinet in a local band for the past few seasons and have found that I've actually had to learn to play softer pianos and pianissimos in the band than I almost ever have to play in orchestras.
Karl
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Author: Reese Oller
Date: 2025-12-03 05:25
>I've actually had to learn to play softer pianos and pianissimos in the band than >I almost ever have to play in orchestras.
I second this. I can play at a much more comfy volume in orchestras than in band--purely because I am often the only one playing my part in orchestras.
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.
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