Several years ago I bought this instrument, totally made of plastics. The attached reed was a bit soft ,(because it was set for children?) however after changing reed I could play with no problem. After looking this video I vizited the site "Lyon Clarinet," however the site seemed disappeared. Is this instrument still available? I would strongly recomend this instrument for children who want to learn clarinet...
@usefulmusic Thank you for your respond. "Clarneo" is known also in here, Japan, however unfortunately not so many people know it. Visiting amazon.co.jp, I knew clarineo is available via amazon.co.jp and the price is quite reasonable. Though I already have the previous model, I would like to have the clarineo. Thanks for your information.
What a great instrument.. Just picked one up cheap on ebay. I've been playing guitar, bass, keyboards and various instruments for years, by a mixture of ear and theory but not reading the dots. I borrowed a Bb clarinet a while back to teach myself and although easy to 'jam' in Bb, Eb, F etc..I found the remote keys hard to get the fingereing for intuitively. Not wanting to spend years practising (I'm 44 and want instant results!!) the 'C' clarinet has proved just the job.
I've had my Lyons for who knows how many years. Shortly after I bought it, I made three minor modifications to it: added a coil spring to the base of the Eb/Bb side key, increased the strength of the spring on the G# key (by bending it to a sharper angle), and put a rubber band around the register key. Each so I can play faster. To this day, I haven't done another thing to it, and it still plays flawlessly. That's more than I can say for my "real" clarinets (a Bb and Eb). They need service.
In comparison to what exists, yes, the Lyons in definitely unconventional. It is different. Most people hate different, and I think that is at the base of all negative comments here.
There are so many benefits to this instrument that make playing the clarinet accessible to young and old alike.
If you're curious about this instrument, I strongly urge you to give it a try.
If you buy it and don't like it, I assure you that you won't have trouble to selling it.
I haven't heard one person mention the use of this instrument for marching band. But it seems as though most of you might be from Britain. I loathed using my 'good' clarinet during marching season in High School (ages 15-18). A class set of these that could be signed out would be a god-send for the American band director. The sound when compared seemed brighter and a tad more reedy while the traditional clarinet sounded more woody and sonorous - a sound I still prefer for orchestra work.
It is good for seniors, too. I am 74 and never picked up a clarinet in my life. I saw the advert in BBC Music Magazine this month and received it a couple weeks ago. I am already improvising my own tunes on it. It is an amazing achievement and a work of art. Congratulations, Graham!
I was given a Lyons C about 6 months ago by a friend. Im 40 yrs old and whilst I'm quite musical I've never stuck at any instrument long enough to really enjoy it. Well...Im completely hooked on the Lyons C. I play it every day and have become reasonably competent in only a few months. I travel a lot and it goes with me in a poster tube(without the bell). It's so light and portable unlike the conventional Bb which I tried recently. It seems a perfect way to learn clarinet for kids and adults.
I've owned a Lyons C clarinet for about 2 years now. I use Legere synthetic reeds, and LOVE this instrument. My 1st clarinet was a beautiful old Selmer gifted to me by my father-in-law, but I'm a folk musician, not an orchestral one.
The Lyons lets me play along with other musicians at music festivals. It's *extremely* light, isn't affected by temperature extremes, and has a remarkable tone for its compact size.
I use it like a chromatic harmonica. HIGHLY recommended if you like to jam w/ others
To speak of a 'thin reedy tone' is to do the Lyons Clarinet an injustice. It sounds like a C clarinet and, of course, as with any other clarinet, much of the tone quality is determined by the player.
Why not concentrate your comments on the many positive aspects? The Lyons instrument looks modern. It is tough, durable, easily maintained, light to hold and avoids problems of transposition. Some of the very best players began on this instrument - the young virtuoso Julian Bliss, for example.
Oh, and another thing....if the child wanted to play a duet on the Lyons C clarinet with another person who was playing a standard B flat or A clarinet (let's say the other person was a parent or an older sibling), then that child would need to have his or her part transposed to match with the other person, which can get complicated, and would preclude spontaneous jam sessions. Also, I'm not really sure how well the thin, reedy sound of the Lyons clarinet would mix with a standard clarinet.
On the flip side of that argument, the Lyon's clarinet allows you to easily play with non-orchestral instruments without anyone having to transpose. This allows me to have MORE spontaneous jam sessions, and easily play along with guitars and other 'folk' instruments.
Also, if you had bothered to listen to the above clip in its entirety, you would hear both a standard clarinet and the Lyon's clarinet being played together.
Then you would have an actual opinion as to the sound of the two together, instead of unfounded conjecture. :-)
I did listen, and I wasn't satisfied with the sound. I've played the B flat clarinet for almost ten years, so I can tell when two clarinets sound even slightly different. As for young Susan at the beginning of the video, she'd have an easier time hitting her low notes if she didn't tense up beforehand. She just needs to relax, breathe from her diaphraghm, and keep her cheeks in. There's no need to give a child a "kiddie" clarinet, when you could just teach them proper form on a real one.
Of course they sounded diff. I didn't feel that either was 'better'. I learned Clarinet on a 100+ year old Selmer as an adult, and I still have thumb pain on that instrument after only 10-15 minutes. I can play the Lyons clarinet for hours with zero fatigue. My father-in-law who I received the Selmer from has emphysema, and was unable to play his old big-band instrument. He was able to play the Lyons for a while, and had great fun with it. I think you aren't giving this instrument a fair shake.
Greyskye, I'm not completely discounting the value of a Lyons clarinet for young children who are just learning to play, so they can learn the fundamentals with minimal frustration before graduating to a traditional clarinet. However, I don't think that the Lyons clarinet should completely replace the traditional one. As for the thumb pain issue, you might be too tense, or you might need to start using a neck strap.
I haven't read anything from you here that *isn't* completely discounting the Lyons. I'm sorry you don't 'get' the potential of this instrument for both children and adults: the value of an instrument *not* in an orchestral key, only requires you to put a reed on to start playing (no putting 5 pcs together), is ultra-light, maintainable by the user, impervious to moisture and heat, & quite inexpensive. I wouldn't be playing as much if not for the Lyons, and isn't that the whole point, after all?
I don't know, I'd just feel weird playing a Lyons clarinet, or having my student do so, because I'm used to playing a traditional clarinet, and the Lyons' clarinet looks more like a toy than anything. I can see its value as a "starter" instrument, and the non-transposing aspect is good too, but I'm afraid an indestructible clarinet may teach kids to have contempt for their things, and if it's too easy to make a decent sound on a Lyons clarinet, then they won't *want* to move on to a real one.
OK, I'm getting your objections now - change can be hard. :) I'm not a 'purist' by any stretch, so I feel that ANYTHING that promotes kids (or adults!) getting interested in music is a good thing. For what it's worth, my clarinet teacher thought that the Lyons was great in design and tone. I've had great feedback from musicians at festivals who raved over its tone & travel friendly design - and they got over the looks. :) If a kid learns on this & wants to go Bb later, it's an easy transition.
Right.....we agree that a Lyons clarinet is a good thing for a young musician to START on, the key word being "start." As for plastic reeds....I'm a little iffy on that, but apparently, James Campbell uses them. I've heard they're good for practicing/rehearsing, but shouldn't be used for performances, but who can argue with James Campbell? I wish I could ask him about it myself.
I'm of two minds on this. Yeah, I can see it being beneficial for young children to learn to play on a Lyons clarinet, but it shouldn't become the be all end all. So, when the child is ready, he or she should definitely move up to a regular clarinet.
Several years ago I bought this instrument, totally made of plastics. The attached reed was a bit soft ,(because it was set for children?) however after changing reed I could play with no problem. After looking this video I vizited the site "Lyon Clarinet," however the site seemed disappeared. Is this instrument still available? I would strongly recomend this instrument for children who want to learn clarinet...
clakaicho 2 months ago
@clakaicho The new model of the Lyons clarinet is called the Clarinéo. Nuvo instrumental (Youtube doesn't allow posts containing web addresses)
usefulmusic 2 months ago
@usefulmusic Thank you for your respond. "Clarneo" is known also in here, Japan, however unfortunately not so many people know it. Visiting amazon.co.jp, I knew clarineo is available via amazon.co.jp and the price is quite reasonable. Though I already have the previous model, I would like to have the clarineo. Thanks for your information.
clakaicho 2 months ago
What;s the beautifu song begining at 2:30?
STMAKnightMike 8 months ago
@STMAKnightMike it's the opening music for George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.
usefulmusic 8 months ago
What a great instrument.. Just picked one up cheap on ebay. I've been playing guitar, bass, keyboards and various instruments for years, by a mixture of ear and theory but not reading the dots. I borrowed a Bb clarinet a while back to teach myself and although easy to 'jam' in Bb, Eb, F etc..I found the remote keys hard to get the fingereing for intuitively. Not wanting to spend years practising (I'm 44 and want instant results!!) the 'C' clarinet has proved just the job.
boo66 10 months ago
definitely sounds different.
ClueLou 1 year ago
@ClueLou You can remove and replace any key on the Lyons clarinet. Although the model has been replaced by the Clarinéo
usefulmusic 2 months ago
@ClueLou you can still buy spare parts. look for Lyons clarinet spares all one word and dot com
usefulmusic 2 months ago
I've had my Lyons for who knows how many years. Shortly after I bought it, I made three minor modifications to it: added a coil spring to the base of the Eb/Bb side key, increased the strength of the spring on the G# key (by bending it to a sharper angle), and put a rubber band around the register key. Each so I can play faster. To this day, I haven't done another thing to it, and it still plays flawlessly. That's more than I can say for my "real" clarinets (a Bb and Eb). They need service.
SerendipityG3A 2 years ago
In comparison to what exists, yes, the Lyons in definitely unconventional. It is different. Most people hate different, and I think that is at the base of all negative comments here.
There are so many benefits to this instrument that make playing the clarinet accessible to young and old alike.
If you're curious about this instrument, I strongly urge you to give it a try.
If you buy it and don't like it, I assure you that you won't have trouble to selling it.
This instrument is a treasure.
rbloch66 2 years ago
Ok of sabine meyer or a college music professor wasn't blowing on this instrument i'm nto too convinced,but it's still ooks cool i wanna try!
xHuntedGunzPCGx 3 years ago
I haven't heard one person mention the use of this instrument for marching band. But it seems as though most of you might be from Britain. I loathed using my 'good' clarinet during marching season in High School (ages 15-18). A class set of these that could be signed out would be a god-send for the American band director. The sound when compared seemed brighter and a tad more reedy while the traditional clarinet sounded more woody and sonorous - a sound I still prefer for orchestra work.
wenpow 3 years ago
It is good for seniors, too. I am 74 and never picked up a clarinet in my life. I saw the advert in BBC Music Magazine this month and received it a couple weeks ago. I am already improvising my own tunes on it. It is an amazing achievement and a work of art. Congratulations, Graham!
damianolino 3 years ago
I was given a Lyons C about 6 months ago by a friend. Im 40 yrs old and whilst I'm quite musical I've never stuck at any instrument long enough to really enjoy it. Well...Im completely hooked on the Lyons C. I play it every day and have become reasonably competent in only a few months. I travel a lot and it goes with me in a poster tube(without the bell). It's so light and portable unlike the conventional Bb which I tried recently. It seems a perfect way to learn clarinet for kids and adults.
seadog43 3 years ago
I've owned a Lyons C clarinet for about 2 years now. I use Legere synthetic reeds, and LOVE this instrument. My 1st clarinet was a beautiful old Selmer gifted to me by my father-in-law, but I'm a folk musician, not an orchestral one.
The Lyons lets me play along with other musicians at music festivals. It's *extremely* light, isn't affected by temperature extremes, and has a remarkable tone for its compact size.
I use it like a chromatic harmonica. HIGHLY recommended if you like to jam w/ others
greyskye 3 years ago
To speak of a 'thin reedy tone' is to do the Lyons Clarinet an injustice. It sounds like a C clarinet and, of course, as with any other clarinet, much of the tone quality is determined by the player.
Why not concentrate your comments on the many positive aspects? The Lyons instrument looks modern. It is tough, durable, easily maintained, light to hold and avoids problems of transposition. Some of the very best players began on this instrument - the young virtuoso Julian Bliss, for example.
clarinet1 3 years ago 2
Oh, and another thing....if the child wanted to play a duet on the Lyons C clarinet with another person who was playing a standard B flat or A clarinet (let's say the other person was a parent or an older sibling), then that child would need to have his or her part transposed to match with the other person, which can get complicated, and would preclude spontaneous jam sessions. Also, I'm not really sure how well the thin, reedy sound of the Lyons clarinet would mix with a standard clarinet.
MermaidGirl84 3 years ago
On the flip side of that argument, the Lyon's clarinet allows you to easily play with non-orchestral instruments without anyone having to transpose. This allows me to have MORE spontaneous jam sessions, and easily play along with guitars and other 'folk' instruments.
greyskye 3 years ago
Also, if you had bothered to listen to the above clip in its entirety, you would hear both a standard clarinet and the Lyon's clarinet being played together.
Then you would have an actual opinion as to the sound of the two together, instead of unfounded conjecture. :-)
greyskye 3 years ago
I did listen, and I wasn't satisfied with the sound. I've played the B flat clarinet for almost ten years, so I can tell when two clarinets sound even slightly different. As for young Susan at the beginning of the video, she'd have an easier time hitting her low notes if she didn't tense up beforehand. She just needs to relax, breathe from her diaphraghm, and keep her cheeks in. There's no need to give a child a "kiddie" clarinet, when you could just teach them proper form on a real one.
MermaidGirl84 3 years ago
Of course they sounded diff. I didn't feel that either was 'better'. I learned Clarinet on a 100+ year old Selmer as an adult, and I still have thumb pain on that instrument after only 10-15 minutes. I can play the Lyons clarinet for hours with zero fatigue. My father-in-law who I received the Selmer from has emphysema, and was unable to play his old big-band instrument. He was able to play the Lyons for a while, and had great fun with it. I think you aren't giving this instrument a fair shake.
greyskye 3 years ago
Greyskye, I'm not completely discounting the value of a Lyons clarinet for young children who are just learning to play, so they can learn the fundamentals with minimal frustration before graduating to a traditional clarinet. However, I don't think that the Lyons clarinet should completely replace the traditional one. As for the thumb pain issue, you might be too tense, or you might need to start using a neck strap.
MermaidGirl84 3 years ago
I haven't read anything from you here that *isn't* completely discounting the Lyons. I'm sorry you don't 'get' the potential of this instrument for both children and adults: the value of an instrument *not* in an orchestral key, only requires you to put a reed on to start playing (no putting 5 pcs together), is ultra-light, maintainable by the user, impervious to moisture and heat, & quite inexpensive. I wouldn't be playing as much if not for the Lyons, and isn't that the whole point, after all?
greyskye 3 years ago
I don't know, I'd just feel weird playing a Lyons clarinet, or having my student do so, because I'm used to playing a traditional clarinet, and the Lyons' clarinet looks more like a toy than anything. I can see its value as a "starter" instrument, and the non-transposing aspect is good too, but I'm afraid an indestructible clarinet may teach kids to have contempt for their things, and if it's too easy to make a decent sound on a Lyons clarinet, then they won't *want* to move on to a real one.
MermaidGirl84 3 years ago
OK, I'm getting your objections now - change can be hard. :) I'm not a 'purist' by any stretch, so I feel that ANYTHING that promotes kids (or adults!) getting interested in music is a good thing. For what it's worth, my clarinet teacher thought that the Lyons was great in design and tone. I've had great feedback from musicians at festivals who raved over its tone & travel friendly design - and they got over the looks. :) If a kid learns on this & wants to go Bb later, it's an easy transition.
greyskye 3 years ago
Right.....we agree that a Lyons clarinet is a good thing for a young musician to START on, the key word being "start." As for plastic reeds....I'm a little iffy on that, but apparently, James Campbell uses them. I've heard they're good for practicing/rehearsing, but shouldn't be used for performances, but who can argue with James Campbell? I wish I could ask him about it myself.
MermaidGirl84 3 years ago
I'm of two minds on this. Yeah, I can see it being beneficial for young children to learn to play on a Lyons clarinet, but it shouldn't become the be all end all. So, when the child is ready, he or she should definitely move up to a regular clarinet.
MermaidGirl84 4 years ago
wow. great tone on that instrument
c2thew 4 years ago