Klarinet Archive - Posting 000391.txt from 1997/11

From: Jacqueline Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: New clarinet recommendations
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 18:27:36 -0500

On Sat, 8 Nov 1997 benevolent1@-----.com wrote:

> Greetings from Texas,
> I am a high school senior who wants to major in Music Education
> (Yeah). I have worked for two years to earn enough for my first new
> clarinet (huge smile). I just checked my bank account, and have enough
> to buy a good quality instrument. My question was regarding the Patricola
> clarinets. I seem to have a lot of information on Yamahas, Buffets and
> Leblancs, but not much on the other. Is this for a reason? Are there
> any other models I should consider? If any one out there has information
> or advise, I would love to hear it.
> As to how I am going to choose the instrument, this is my plan.
> I am going to tape record myself and take it to my band director and
> private teacher to get their opinions on which instrument they think
> sounds the best. Is this a good way to do things? Should I have them
> there in person? When I do have these instruments in front of me, should
> I play the exact same thing on all of them, or should I vary the content
> of each session. How long should I play on one instrument before moving
> on to the other. Ideally, I would be able to play them in an ensemble
> setting, but we are on a block schedule, and I only have band two days a
> week for about 2.5 hours a day.
>
> Thank you so much.
>
> Sarah
> benevolent1@-----.com
>
Ideally I think your clarinet teacher should be there with you. That way,
he or she can inspect the horn visually for any potential mechanical or
quality control problems, play on the instruments as well, and of course,
a tape recording of a clarinet just doesn't sound quite like the real
thing! Another person's objectivity will also be useful -- you don't
necessarily want to go with the horn that "feels" the best; it may have
tuning problems, it's not "broken in" yet, you're not used to it, etc.

For what you're trying to do, you may want to try several instruments at
the shop, choose the one you think you like best, and take that one to an
ensemble rehearsal (if they will let you take it on approval like that).
Buying a new instrument can be very complicated; this is just my personal
2 cents' worth!

Jacqueline Eastwood
University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
eastwooj@-----.edu