Selmer Muse Bb/A Clarinet - EVO

The Selmer Muse is a shiny new addition to the Selmer Paris lineup, launched in 2022. The development team included members of orchestras from around the world, alongside Selmer's instrument designers. They took over 4 years developing the Muse to address some nagging issues that still plague all clarinets: intonation, ergonomics and reliability over time. The newly-designed bore of the Muse creates a sound that I would describe as "Milky, but with projection" — though I guess that pretty much describes every infant I've ever met. In terms of ergonomics, the Selmer Muse features a redesigned keywork system that enhances playability and comfort. The placement and shape of keys are optimized — no tendonitis factory here — reducing fatigue and promoting a more natural hand position. From my own experience, this is true. I have big hands, and I randomly hit fork keys all the time. In fact, I usually have to re-record the demo videos I make a few times because of this. With the Muse, I literally did all of them in one take. Katherine has thin fingers and feels like it's more comfortable too. So I guess all the marketing is true. Way to not lie to us, Selmer! The Muse also comes with Selmer's EVOLUTION system — a resin lining in the upper joint that prevents cracking without changing the sound. (I've played EVOLUTION and non-EVOLUTION Selmers side by side. I couldn't tell the difference.) Selmer backs this with a 10-year warranty on the upper joint, which is... a lot of confidence. The 19-key version includes a low E/F correction key — one thumb vent that fixes both notes. And the dashboard data backs it up: low E sits at +2¢ (basically centered), low F at -9¢. On most clarinets, those notes run -15 to -25¢ flat. If you've ever sat in an orchestra and winced at the chalumeau, this is the fix. Dashboard data also shows the tightest 12ths of any Selmer I've tested. Resistance: 6/10, Medium In general, added resistance in a clarinet design usually keeps the louder dynamic ranges from spreading; the clarinet "holds its core" and focus, but will provide a smaller dynamic range (on both ends, loud and soft) and smaller color palette. A less resistant clarinet typically provides a much wider tonal palette to choose from, but will require more control from the player to control pitch and sound consistency. When listening for how a clarinet responds to added air pressure and embouchure control, listen to the Weber example (wide dynamic range and color range), then the Berlioz excerpt (wide dynamic range, but narrow color range), and finally the Gershwin excerpt (narrow dynamic range and narrow color range). You will hear how these clarinets respond — for better or worse! — to my input as a clarinet player.