Klarinet Archive - Posting 001189.txt from 1997/10

From: Dee Hays <deerich@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Clarinet and Reed Questions
Date: Sun, 26 Oct 1997 18:43:28 -0500

Laine wrote:

> I was wondering if someone would please give some insight to the following
> two questions, for those of us on this list who may be beginners or
> "recovering clarinetists"??
>
> Is a wooden clarinet always better than a plastic clarinet? What is the
> difference (besides price) in the two?
>
> What is the difference in reeds? Size? Brand? Do some reeds play better
> with certain makes of clarinets?
>
> Thanks for your help,
> Laine

The plastic clarinets are geared toward the elementary school beginning
clarinetist so are often not made with good quality. But be careful, there
are also many old wood student clarinets around that are not as good as some
of today's plastics. Unfortunately it is not possible to evaluate the limits
of what can be done in plastic as too many of them are cheaply made. There
have been lively discussions on the list in the past that you might want to
check in the archives.

Intermediate and pro clarinets are generally made of wood with the exception
of Buffet's Greenline which is a wood/epoxy composite. Quality control is
usually better on the higher grades of clarinet and they come with better
stock mouthpieces than student horns.

A good mouthpiece can make even a cheap horn sound OK while a poor mouthpiece
can make a good horn sound like junk. So no matter what clarinet you use, be
sure you have a good mouthpiece.

There are lots of good reeds out there. My favorites are Vandoren #3 1/2 and
Mitchell Lurie #4 (no two companies number the reeds exactly the same). Many
like Grand Concert, Zonda and others. I would advise that you stay away from
regular Ricos. Their only virtue is that they are cheap but it is false
economy. Reed strength does need to be selected with the mouthpiece style in
mind. If you are just getting back in, a mouthpiece with a medium tip opening
and using a medium strength reed would be a good start.

To compare prices and features, get a copy of the Woodwind & Brasswind
catalog. They do have a web site.

And congratulations for getting back into clarinet.

Dee Hays
deerich@-----.net
Canton, SD