Klarinet Archive - Posting 000564.txt from 1997/01

From: "Eliabeth R. Goeke" <goeke@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Plastic clarinets
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 1997 19:10:07 -0500

Okay, I have to get in on this conversation. When I started, I didn't
know if I really wanted to play the clarinet, so my parents got me a
really cheap plastic clarinet at Rayburn's (Boston). I still have it.
I call it the 'Trash 80' (if you get the reference, I'm proud, if not,
<shrug>). That was in the fourth grade. When I got to seventh, my
teacher and I agreed I needed something better so I skipped past the
student woods and got a Buffet C13 (used, of course). My Trash 80,
though, continued to be played (in fact, it lived at school) for parades,
football games, Christmas caroling, anything where I had to play outside.
I love my wooden clarient and would never risk playing it out-of-doors in
the snow, rain, sleet, where someone might step on it, hit me and in turn
bash my clarinet, or any other act of God. Band is lots and lots of fun.
Marching is cool and you get to go to football games for free. The band
often takes trips to neat places for realitvely little money. So, get a
plastic instrument now and when you start playing with the orchestra buy a
good clarinet that you'll love. Keep the plastic one hidden away,
because you never know when you might need it again. :)
elizabeth

On Sun, 26 Jan 1997, David C. Blumberg wrote:

> Another reason the the plastic clarinets are pushed by directors is because
> they can withstand the outdoor marching that all of us are subjected to in
> High School.
>
>
> At 11:05 PM 1/25/97 -0500, Ken Bryson wrote:
> >Dirk,
> >
> >My 2 cents' worth is that you should buy a decent used wood clarinet to
> >start with. If you are planning on finding a teacher (good idea), why
> >not find the teacher first and have the teacher assist in selecting an
> >instrument in your price range? The only reason I can see for using
> >plastic clarinets for beginners is if the beginners are children and not
> >ready to be entrusted with the care of a more delicate and valuable
> >wooden instrument. I am convinced that the wooden instruments in
> >general give a superior sound (Dan?), and that is important
> >encouragement for an adult beginner. Good luck!
> >
> >Nancy
> >
> >
> David C. Blumberg
> reedman@-----.com
> Principal Clarinet Riverside Symphonia
> Adjunct Woodwind Instructor Univ. of Penn,. Bryn Mawr College
>

   
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