Klarinet Archive - Posting 000384.txt from 1997/04

From: pmedina@-----.net
Subj: Re: kids, equipment, reeds--when?
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 1997 08:58:21 -0400

Well, as a band director, I can tell you we try to start all our kids on
the same equipment. That means a clarinet, mouthpiece, etc. that will carry
them to hight school. Now, because of cost, we are going to add composite
clarinets to our recommended list, but with a top of the line mouthpiece
and reed set up. Also with the understanding that the parents will have to
buy a step up horn later. The students that do not have good equipment seem
to usually not take as good care of the equipment. I have students who
cannot play because their equipment is in constant need of repair. these
are the students we lose. We don't really seem to lose the ones who make a
good investment in their instrument(or their kids).

Patricia Medina
Angleton, Texas