Klarinet Archive - Posting 000618.txt from 1997/11

From: DGross1226@-----.com
Subj: Re: Top line model for beginner?
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 1997 10:02:11 -0500

In a message dated 97-11-17 09:09:51 EST, you write:

<< I'm sure that I will have more fun with a finer instrument >>

Dirk,

After a 31 year break, I resumed my clarinet playing on a 50-year old wooden
student -line clarinet. Even with the best of teachers (many years as a
major symphony principal clarinetist and college professor of clarinet), it
took only a few months for me to realize that my instrument was stopping me
from progressing beyond where I was many years earlier. I hope you are
planning to study with a "top-line" teacher also.

With my teacher's help, I purchased a new Buffet R-13 almost 12 years ago,
and have never regretted the purchase. Having a top-line clarinet also makes
it much easier to separate human problems from equipment problems. Many of
what I thought to be MY problems turned out to be caused by my student model
clarinet. I now play in two orchestras, two wind ensembles, plus a woodwind
trio and have just had my R-13 professionally overhauled. It's even better
than new!

If you have any more doubts, connsider the purchase of a top-line clarinet as
an investment. Should you ever decide that the clarinet is not for you,
there will always be a someone wanting to buy your top-line clarinet.

Don Gross
La Canada, California