Calling International Rescue - clarinets

Posted by: Sproggle on 24 March 2001

Watching Thunderbirds today, I was rather struck by the sound of a clarinet on the sound track. In my first decade of life all clarinets had a similar unmistakable, rich and vivid tone - as far as I can remember.

I haven’t been to a live concert for years, and I have few "classical" records from later than the early '70s but all my recent memories of clarinets give them a radically different sound - more like an oboe. What on Earth has happened to clarinets since the 1960s (if anything) - can anyone explain?

Thanks

--Jeremy

Posted on: 25 March 2001 by bob atherton

What on Earth has happened to clarinets since the 1960s....

My guess is that in the 60's a lot of valve gear was used to record & playback music. Clarinets & valves are a good match. In fact if I only listed to solo clarinet I would possibly get a valve amp! (now I'm just being silly).

Bob. ( a VERY big Thunderbirds fan, honestly)

Posted on: 25 March 2001 by Sproggle

Interesting idea Bob - thanks.

But if the valves of the ‘60s sounded that different from the transistors of today, wouldn’t the difference be equally noticeable with other wind instruments?

--Jeremy

Posted on: 27 March 2001 by Ron The Mon

Jeremy,
Most newer clarinet bodies are resin(plastic)
or some sort of composite. Mouthpieces have
been changed dramatically, with many current
players using them on older instruments. Modern reeds are not favored by many musicians but
availability of some types are near to
non-existant.

Why the changes? Wood bodies require more care
and maintenance and are significantly more
costly to manufacture. Mouthpieces can be made
to correct embouchure deficiencies which can
cause mouth pain. Newer composite reeds reduce
warm-up time and don't need to be "nursed"
during breaks in a live performance or
recording ensuring a squeek-free clarinet.

I am a huge fan of the bass-clarinet and the
brand-new Chris Potter record on which he plays bass(as well as other instruments) is superb
sounding, the way a clarinet as you remember it should sound. If you're interested I'll scan my record collection and recommend other albums.

BTW Bob,
The proper way to listen to clarinet (I have
lots of classical, ragtime, and Benny Goodman
recordings) is on a wind-up 78 player with
NO electronics. I have a mint-condition
fully restored 1904 RCA Victor with
Pfanstiehl's newest top-of-the-range
stainless-steel needles. It's not stereo or
hi-fi, but it is natural and musical!!!

Ron The Mon,
Clarinet Fan

Posted on: 28 March 2001 by Sproggle

That explains a lot!

I'll certainly look out for that Chris Potter record.

--Jeremy

Posted on: 29 March 2001 by Timbo

I'm a big fan of Thunderbirds and am intrigued about the music in the episode "The Cham Cham" called the dangerous Game played by the Cas Carnaby 5 - any ideas who might this be?

Tim