[Dixielandjazz] Clarinet Choice

[David Washburn]

The first thing to check is your instrument itself. If it has been packed
away for some time it may need service. The pads are often attacked by worms
creating obvious leaks. That may solve the "stiff and stuffy" problem.  As
far as brands go, I like like the Leblanc line. As a player and repairman, I
think the Opus II (Roman numeral 2) is among the finest clarinets made. The
bore is large enough for good jazz work but intonation does not suffer. It
has the added left Ab/Eb key. Not needed in most jazz work, but nice to have
for concert work in different keys. I have the Pete Fountain model and its
successor Big Easy. They are larger bore but have tuning issues. There are,
of course, other good brands. I just happen to like this one. I also happen
to be a Leblanc dealer. Feel free to contact me off-list if you have more
questions.

Thanks,
Dave in Dallas


On 1/6/08, ZACH KEETER <zskeeter at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> Happy New Year everyone!
>
> I'm really really itching to pick my clarinet back so
> I can play OKOM. The horn I have is an intermediate
> model, gets the job done, but it feels rather stiff
> and is hard to "bend" notes and so forth. Any
> recommendations on what make/model would be more
> conducive to what I want to do? The players that have
> a sound I would like to emulate are Johnny Dodds,
> Irving Fazola and Evan Christopher. Any info
> whatsoever is greatly appreciated.
>
> In Swingitude
>
> Zach Keeter
>
> Kansas City, MO
>
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