|
|
 |
|
|
| Clarinets
form an instrument family all of their own with a whole range of
instruments from Soprano to Bass. The 'standard' instrument is the
Bb - used in virtually all idioms from Dixieland jazz to Mozart.
In addition, the repertoire of the modern symphony orchestra includes
a large number of pieces written for the A clarinet, and professional
level players need to be proficient on both Bb and A - often switching
from one instrument to the other during the course of a performance.
Therefore a well matched set of A and Bb clarinets (having the same
tone and response) are essential to the orchestral clarinetist. |
The
Clarinet Family
The main members of the clarinet family are the Eb (soprano) clarinet,
the Bb and A (already referred to), Eb (alto), and Bb (bass) clarinets.
Our recommendations on all these instruments are listed in this section.
In addition however there are a plethora of other clarinets in other
keys (D, C, contra bass to name a few). For information and advice
on these models please call. Clarinet Specifications There are a number
of factors to consider when purchasing your clarinet: |
BODY
MATERIALS
Student level clarinets are made from moulded plastic (ABS). This makes
them light, strong and inexpensive. More expensive instruments are made
from Grenadilla wood. Grenadilla is an extremely hard durable wood from
Kenya and Tanzania from trees that are between 150 and 300 years old. Better
quality instruments are manufactured using the best quality wood available
that is seasoned and treated over time. The only drawback with grenadilla
is the fact that it is an organic material - and can be prone to cracking
if exposed to extremes of temperature and/or excessive moisture. Therefore
care is needed to look after your instrument. Buffet also offers a 'greenline'
range - made from a fusion of grenadilla wood pulp and synthetic resin.
This helps preserve stocks of endangered African hardwood trees whilst
offering the tonal depth of a grenadilla body instrument. As an added advantage
the instruments don't crack. |
 |
KEY
SPECIFICATIONS
The key configuration of clarinets is fairly standard - with practically
all clarinets (with the exception of German Oehler system clarinets!) adapting
the 17 key, 6 ring configuration developed by Theobald Boehm in the 19th
century. |
TONEHOLE
UNDERCUTTING
For the acoustics of a clarinet to function correctly the toneholes need
to be 'undercut' this involves cutting away part of the inner bore of the
instrument underneath the tone hole. For most instruments this is done
with computer controlled machines however with top level professional instruments
each tone hole is hand cut by an experienced craftsman to a shape that
is individually optomised for each hole. |
Instrument
Recommendations
Buffet are market leaders across the board for clarinets from student
instruments right up to the highest level professional models. Yamaha
however offer a credible alternative for most instrument types. Buffet
instruments fall into two distinct groups depending on where they're
made and an understanding of this is important when making a choice of
which Buffet product to choose. The B10 and B12 (plastic) student clarinets
together with the wooden E11 are mass produced (to a high standard) at
the Schreiber factory in Nauheim, near Frankfurt, Germany. The more expensive
E13, R13 and other professional models are hand crafted at the Buffet
factory at Mantes-la-Ville, near Paris, France. Thus the quality (and
price) of the French made clarinets is far higher than the German models
due to the nature of the production process. All Buffet clarinets are
good - its just the French ones are better!
Student Instruments
Long time market leader is the Buffet B12 - which is an excellent instrument.
Buffet also produce an alternative plastic bodied model (the B10) - which
we like on the basis that it is slightly lighter for the younger player
and a little bit cheaper, without compromising on quality. The Yamaha
YCL250S is also a very popular model made to exacting standards. |
 |
 |
Intermediate & Professional
Instruments
The (French made) Buffet E13 is the best choice here. Other popular choices
are the (German made) Buffet E11 and Yamaha YCL450S Professional Instruments
For the Intermediate player stepping up to a professional level instrument
for the first time the obvious choice is the Buffet R13. The Yamaha YCL650S
is also a popular choice. When buying pairs (of Bb and A clarinets) Buffet
are strong market leaders with the E13, R13, RC and RC/R13 prestige models
being most popular. The RC is a slightly larger bore model than the R13
and a preferred option for some players (particularly on the continent),
whereas the RC and R13 Prestige instruments are superior models based on
the R13 and RC with an enhanced quality of wood and higher levels of hand
craftsmanship used in their production. |
Eb
Soprano
Bought mostly by good players the R13 and R13 Prestige are the most popular
choices. |
Eb
Alto
The (plastic bodied) Selmer (USA) 1425 model is popular with school and
county wind bands. The (grenadilla bodied) Buffet BC1503 is a good choice
for a more substantial professional quality instrument. |
Bb
Bass
The (plastic bodied) Yamaha YCL221 Bass clarinet (to low Eb) is a very
popular choice for school and county orchestras and wind bands. Moving
up the price range the Buffet BC1181 is a quality grenadilla bodied instrument.
The Buffet prestige (model BC1193) extends down to low C. |
Other
Harmony Clarinets
Also available are contra alto and bass instruments - call for details.
The Lyons C Clarinet
A fantastic tool for introducing younger and smaller pupils to the clarinet
is the Lyons C clarinet. Pitched in C it is made entirely of plastic, the
pads are rubber and it can be taken apart and assembled again like lego!
Its small size and lightweight characteristics however make it an ideal
introductory instrument for very small pupils, its tone is surprisingly
good and it is practically indistructable. |
|
|
|
 |
|
