Author: NorbertTheParrot
Date: 2008-07-28 13:08
It might also be worth pointing out that "Oehler" system and "German system" are not synonymous.
With minor exceptions, all Boehm clarinets, from the cheapest to the most expensive, have the same keywork. However, German clarinets vary a lot. The term "Oehler", strictly speaking, should be used only to refer to the most complicated variant of German clarinet. Student instruments have much simpler keywork. When Chris P refers to Oehler instruments costing over £2000, he is correct, but it is not to say that all German clarinets cost that much.
German instruments are more expensive than their Boehm equivalent:
- because they are made in smaller numbers
- because they are mostly made in German, a high-cost country, with less price competition from Asian manufacturers
- because, at the top end, they are much more complex.
However, many people will tell you that the real top of the range German instruments are better than their Boehm equivalent; not because of the difference in sound, but because the sound is more even and they are easier to play in tune. Whether this is because of the more complex keywork, or simply because manufacturing standards are higher, is difficult to know.
Having said all that, Chris P is totally right - it would be perverse to start learning in the UK on anything other than a Boehm instrument. Bit like insisting learning to drive in a left-hand drive car!
|
|
The Clarinet BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
