Klarinet Archive - Posting 000713.txt from 1996/04

From: "Lorne G. Buick" <mcheramy@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: A Question
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 1996 23:12:07 -0400

Abby: There are clarinets that are lighter, but not light enough to solve
your wrist problem. If you are already having problems as a freshman, the
problem is in your hand position or tension in your arm, and you need to
deal with that independently of what clarinet you buy. I would recommend
using a neckstrap (if people tell you that's silly just ignore them). You
might also consider seeing a good clarinet teacher, a good Alexander method
teacher, or a good physiotherapist.

Meanwhile, if you and/or your parents can afford an R-13, the other
possibilities you should consider in the same general price range are
Yamaha, Selmer (several pro models), Leblanc (also several models) and
Rossi. Nobody can tell you by email which one is going to be best for you.
I would strongly recommend postponing the actual purchase until you have a
chance to try several different clarinets, either by getting some on
approval from stores that do a lot of mail order business (I don't know how
feasible this is for a high school student, but as long as your parents'
credit is good...) or by going somewhere that carries lots. There's The
Woodwind in Indiana, International in Illinois, no doubt others in Chicago,
Minneapolis, etc.

>So--my point is: What's a good clarinet to buy? I'm a very serious HS
>freshman. Please don't say Buffet R-13: tried several, hated them all.
>Are there any that are lighter in weight? I've had problems with my
>right wrist, so it is a concern. I played a Yamaha and I really liked it,
>but I'm not sure where they're available around here. (central
>Wisconsin) BTW, where is a good music store to buy from in Wisconsin?
>Well, gotta go. Thanks and buh-bye!
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Abby Kreisa
>bkreisa@-----.edu

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LGB Lorne G Buick St. John's
mcheramy@-----.ca Newfoundland
Canada