Klarinet Archive - Posting 000501.txt from 1996/06

From: Jamileh Alexandra Jemison <jaj6@-----.EDU>
Subj: Doublers?
Date: Sat, 29 Jun 1996 12:56:25 -0400

Hello!
I'm new, and brimming over with questions already. I will save my
life story for another post but the following abridged version of the
musical parts is necessary for the question. After playing the sax for
ten years --interspersed with a bit of bass and alto clarinet and some
dabbling in (on?) the soprano clarinet-- I had a bit of an instrumental
identitiy crisis (the various machinations are irrelevant). I finally
arrived at the idea that I should train, or practice for the musical
experience I love the most which happens to be pit orchestra. So I have
decided to seriuosly pursue doubling. Because I have played some clarinet
before, and because I am an otherwise experienced musician, I am eager to
head straight to a wood clarinet. What I'm wondering is should I start
with an intermediate (if so any recommendations)? Or should I skip
straight to a professional model (any recommendations there)? I have a
couple of close clarinettists friends who suggest renting for a while but
I will not be able to rent a wood-bodied clarinet so I'm left... wondering.

While I'm inquring I would also like to know if anyone has any mail order
experience (positive or negative) to share. As I am not at home and sort
of lamed in the travel of my immediate area the most direct access is mail
order. Anyhoo, any advice or comments would be very welcome.

Thank you,
Jamielh Jemison (JJ)