Clarinet Stupid question about clarinets

Jules

Formerly known as "nachoman"
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Having recently fallen in love with the bass clarinet but being very naive about all things clarinet related can I ask a question to any clarineteers out there. How do I tell if a Clarinet is a German system model? I’m trying to get a case for my 1960s Kolhert and the question- is it German system or not- keeps on coming up. Any assistance on this one?
 
Actually- based on the above, despite being German- it appears to be a non-German system (....French?). Excellent- that means it should fit in a BAM case barring any other non-standardness... Thanks for the information folks
 
Recently I saw some clips on the new Selmer Presence clarinet. Consistently I heard a more ringing sound than expected from a clarinet. If translated to a saxophone it would be a boxed in sound where the default blow has a sharp edge. Something that is not expected from a classical saxophone. Now my stupid question is if this is really the sound clarinet players want?
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LYnQafYpsDI
 
Recently I saw some clips on the new Selmer Presence clarinet. Consistently I heard a more ringing sound than expected from a clarinet. If translated to a saxophone it would be a boxed in sound where the default blow has a sharp edge. Something that is not expected from a classical saxophone. Now my stupid question is if this is really the sound clarinet players want?
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LYnQafYpsDI
I would find it hard to come to any conclusions due (not great) recording quaility.
 
It's like how Art Farmer said he was able to tell himself from his twin brother:

"In the morning, I pick up the bass, and if I can't play it, then I must be Art."
In the morning, I have to drink a reasonable amount of coffee, before a question like: is this art? pops up.
On the subject of the difference between French and German clarinets. I remember a rare encounter with a clarinet player who mentioned a group that plays French clarinets with a German styled reed.
The EC is a wonderful thing.
 
“ He doesn’t equalise well between throat Bb and into Clarion “

To explain this:

He uses a side throat Bb coming from Clarion C a note above. This note is either a trill fingering or can be used as a long(er) note because of its sonority - it uses a proper tone hole for Bb rather than the speaker key, which is ideally too small.

It can be used in many fingering combinations but generally is easier to maintain a smooth transition from other notes close to it in the Chalameau register.

However. The usual fingering for throat Bb can be “equalised” to other notes by adding fingers further down the clarinet. On my Buffet I use (in addition to the A key and speaker key) - LH 2, 3 and LH pinky C#. The sonority is then as good as anything, and whilst a bit awkward, you (have to) get used to it.

Similar fingerings are usually used for throat A, G# and G. A little to make them sound bigger and match other notes but also to combat a little sharpness.

Thea King used to call it “putting some clothes on”. Jack Brymer called them Resonance Fingerings.

Advantages lay in moving from the throat notes into the Clarion as some fingers are already down -

EG:
Throat G : add LH 3 and RH 1, 2

Now slur to Clarion D. Half the fingers are already there. Should hopefully be a smoother transition.
 

Similar threads... or are they? Maybe not but they could be worth reading anyway 😀

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