Klarinet Archive - Posting 000505.txt from 1996/06

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Doublers?
Date: Sat, 29 Jun 1996 18:56:05 -0400

If you are absolutely serious about becoming a professional musician, and
you feel that you have the discipline and perseverance to do whatever it
takes musically to accomplish that goal, then there is every reason for
you to make the monetary sacrifice and purchase a professional-level
instrument. Many problems experienced by growing clarinetists pertain to
mechanical shortcomings -- something which causes enormous frustration
and commensurate discouragement. Parents often don't spend the money on
high quality instruments for their children because the child will not
very likely go into music as a profession. Thus, there is little point in
making the investment otherwise (okay, this is questionable, but in a
general sense it is true). In your case, however, the decision is yours
and you must use your own sense of dedication and passion as a guage. If
you're not entirely sure, then buy an intermediate instrument --
something not too expensive, such that if your dream does not pan out, you
will not regret having spent the money. If you discover that you really
*do* want to make it your life's pursuit, you may then upgrade to a
professional instrument and know that, at the very least, your equipment
is not responsible for any lack of professional success.

The three acknowledged models of professional clarinets, used by the
majority of professional players in the U.S., are the Buffet R-13 (and
its shiny enhanced sophisticate, the Prestige), the Leblanc Opus, and the
Leblanc Concerto. Try other brands in addition to these, such as the
Selmer 10GS and the Yamaha series of pro instruments. Get opinions
from experienced players, professionals in your local orchestra,
colleagues in the pit, whoever you can get your hands on. Based on peer
evaluation, and primarily based upon your own impressions, buy the
instrument which feels, responds, sounds best to you.

The best mail order houses in the country are (not necessarily in this
order) The Woodwind and the Brasswind in South Bend, Indiana (800)
348-5003, Frederick H. Weiner in New York (800) 622-CORK (2675), and
Muncy Woodwinds in Boone, N.C. (800) 333-6415. Each of these is run by
honest individuals who will send you merchandise on trial, not attempt to
snake you for money (by abusing credit card authorizations or failing to
credit your account following return of a product), and are committed to
fulfilling your instrument and accessory needs in both a human and
professional manner.

Good luck with your budding pit orchestra career.

Neil

On Sat, 29 Jun 1996, Jamileh Alexandra Jemison wrote:

> 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)
>