I Have a Leblanc Clarinet

Dear Professor Friedland ;

I have a Leblanc B flat clarinet that I would like to sell. It is an L7 model and is in excellent condition. I had the horn refurbished for my daughter when she was in high school.

I have not played the horn in a number of years, but tried it recently and the sound is excellent. I had the horn appraised at one of our local music stores and they said I could expect to perhaps get $1,000 – $1,200.

However, I just found your site and feel that you will know more about the value of my horn. The silver keys look like new and there are no cracks in the wood. The cork looks to be in great condition and I have recently greased the corks. The pads are in good condition also. Please let me know what you think a good value would be and if you know of anyone that would like to make this purchase. G V

First and foremost, the clarinet has no sound, per se. none whatever.The sound is made by the player, using a reed and a mouthpiece.

The Leblanc has always had the best built clarinet made in France.Far better in tune than any other, the L7 was one of their very best, of which I have owned several sets, one of which had been made with rollers between the little finger keys, perhaps a conversion from another fingering system, but these and other L7 were simply superior.

The Leblanc which was most successful was the Opus, designed by the brilliant William Ridenour whil he was with Leblanc , also the Sonata and several other models.

The intonation being almost perfect, was the factor for which they stand alone.

Hope this has been of some help.

stay well, sherman

The tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth

With them in hand, I took handitransit downtown to go to the dentist

With traffic stopped on Pitt St, I took myself in my power chair aross the street, but the office had a stair over which my chair would not go, so, finally, against all city regulations, the dentist came out and lifted me over the stair, and I was in.

I held them in a little plastic cup and he looked on wih coniderable disdain, and said I can do nothing with these, they are useless, and then took an Xray, told me of the decay underone prior root canal, while I held them up and said,

But they have been to Carnegie Hall, adding , many times, plus literally hundreds of performing spaces all over the world. a blank, slightly scornful mouth, turning down at the corners,looked back at me.

When we were little children, my mther used to scream, , you kids took all my calcium, which I why I have no teeth, may she RIP.

We all know people who go through with no dental problems, literally none whatsoever, but the rest suffer with drilling and the rest of the that other expensive and ultimately useless procedure after procedure , while the perpetrator of this painful procedure buys another boat or plane , or whatever..

That first tooth reolacement was only one of very msny, some failed, some successful, but none lasting. Still, I loved the clarinet, went rapidly through the development of the necessary, loved music even more, and have had more then 60 years of music, which s better, much better.

So, keep practicing and take good care of your tooths

Stay well.

sherman friedland, at Heartwood

RIDENOUR C clarinet and Esperanza

Hi Mr Friedland

I have just ordered a ridenour C clarinet and Bb Speranza (a discontinued model similiar to the 576bc at a very good price). My main music interests are klezmer, jazz, band and pop tunes. Would having a C and Bb clarinet cover all my bases, or would it be worthwhile to purchase an A clarinet sometime down the line even though (at least at the moment) have no interest in orchestral playing? In other words, should my next clarinet be another Bb with different characteristics, or an A clarinet. Can a C clarinet play the A clarinets parts? Also, are you familiar with the Speranza clarinet at all and if so what’s your opinion. Thanks in advance, Eli

It is very interesting, but it is a very simple recommendation to make. Tom has solved the problem, actually a long time past. I have played all of the many models he has produced and/or designed, including the Opus, my best clarinets. THE best clarinet.

William Ridenour is the best designer of clarinets in the surrent era.

The material he uses in all his intruments is more stable in all ways, than any other used to make clarinets. Of course, it is hard rubber, or ebonite, which is as stable, and will not crack, will not crack or shatter in any way, and is virtually impervious to temperature changes.

Take all of that to the bank, as they say. Enjoy them.

All good wishes.

sherman