Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2001-03-03 12:36
Naftule Brandwein (american klezmer clarinetist, sp?, d. circa 1967?) used a C albert exclusively. Kurt Bjorling (Brave Old World) also uses a C instrument. Check out their recordings. Mr. Bjorling suggested playing along with Brandwein recordings on a C instrument. This is pretty tough to do on a B flat, but makes immediate sense on the C.
The C instrument has a lot brighter sound, which is desirable for Klez. For some recordings, you can figure out what key they were in. Depends on how much work they put in when mastering the CD. Once there, you can make out what key instrument was used. For example, D minor makes more sense on a B flat instrument, since there are few C clarinets with the low D. Trying to execute the trills and other ornamentation should make it obvious which instrument was used.
So far as getting an instrument that plays well, the Leblanc and Buffet's both have big intonation problems in the 3rd register, similar to a lot of E flat instruments. Moving the register vent down toward the bell 10mm (yes!!!, 10mm) with some other mods will move these instruments in the right direction, but not solve the problems. Mr. Bjorling did this to both Leblanc and Buffet Pro instruments, with success. Seems ridiculous to have to do this, though, doesn't it?
There are some other production C instruments on the market, and I don't have any experience with.
Stephen Fox of Toronto talked about these problems to some extent in a paper he delivered at the ICA convention at Columbus, OH in 1998(?). His C instruments solve these problems. He can make them with a low D, too!
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The Ethnic Clarinet
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