The experience of playing the Arioso C clarinet dispels all the past myths about clarinets pitched in C. The Arioso C clarinet is characterized by a warm, sweet tone that is closer to the human voice than perhaps any other wind instrument. This makes it fantastic for C parts in all those Italian operas. Even the high notes retain a beautifully round, sweet quality at all dynamic levels. The Arioso C has perhaps the most even, efficient blowing resistance of any clarinet, giving the player the feeling that the clarinet
has all but vanished and one is simply singing the music directly without the necessity of any instrumental medium. Though modestly priced, the C clarinet is being played by many top symphony players and its playing characteristics are second to none.
Here's what Wales National Opera principal clarinetist, Les Craven, had to say about the Arioso C in his review in CASS magazine: "Tom Ridenour is one of the world’s leading instrument designers, having worked in design for some of the most famous clarinet manufacturers. He is also a very fine clarinetists and author of the best pedagogical book I have read. With credentials as good as this it is not surprising he has designed a truly superb, relatively inexpensive hard rubber C clarinet, the Arioso. [The sound] surpasses the sound of my wooden C clarinet. It is considerably more stable and better in tune. It is so good I will use it professionally and be proud of the sound it produces."
Les Craven
Principle Clarinet
Wales National Opera
ASC-105 Product Specifications:
- Key: C
- Body: Hard rubber
- Mechanism: Nickel plated; in-line trill keys; double reinforced crow's foot
- Barrels: 46 mm, 48 mm
- Thumb rest: Adjustable
- Case: PVC leather wood shell attache-style
- Accessories: Mouthpiece (uses #2.5-#3 reeds), mouthpiece cap, ligature, cork grease, cleaning cloth