Klarinet Archive - Posting 000342.txt from 1998/06
From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Why Intermediate Horns?
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 1998 13:26:20 -0400
I second the emotion.
Of course, I'm one of those folks who would even purchase a pro-level
plastic horn (if one were available)--my wife loves her Loree oboe with the
plastic top joint, because there will be no more cracks and the sound is
EXACTLY the same.
I just don't get the whole concept of the "intermediate" instrument. I
understand completely from a manufacturing-engineering standpoint how an
injection molded plastic part can cost less that an endangered tree. I do
not understand, however, how a wood Normandy can cost $0.01 less to produce
than a Concerto--the wood is the same, and the workmanship on both horns is
excellent. Why does the Concerto cost three times as much? And more
importantly, why, if the cost is the same (or thereabouts), does Leblanc
insist on producing horns with an inferior bore/scale? Ditto these issues
for the other manufacturers--although Leblanc
I have always counseled students to buy a shiny new plastic horn,
principally for the reasons Sherry sets forth below. The street price of a
new Vito is not much more than an overhaul of the attic horn, and the
teacher won't have to worry about pads etc. Once the student has progressed
to a point where a better horn is "needed," the time has come to get the
R-13 (or 10G or YCL-72 or whatever).
kjf
-----Original Message-----
From: Sherry Katz [mailto:slkatz@-----.com]
Subject: [kl] Plastic Clarinets Was: [kl] Re: Normandy Clarinet
>|
>|This student is very young and has only played for 6 months. I believe
>that this would be an excellent
>|instrument for this student and keeps him away from plastic.
--->
>But, I would like to say that your points about this student being new and
>young really wish you would have gone the plastic road. Plastic horns are
>much much easier to maintain, can withstand (well most can) the rigors of
>childhood (I'd like to see how a wood clarinet handles being accidentally
>dropped into a swimming pool), stand up to horrible technique and bad
>maintenence, and this list goes on and on...
>
-----
I commented on this already, but I'd like to elaborate. I think that
plastic clarinets are better than wood for student instruments. I have been
playing off and on for almost 40 years, but I still like a plastic clarinet
for situations where I am concerned that I might damage my wood instrument.
My main clarinet is a Yamaha YCL-72, but recently because I am joining a
community marching band and because my YCL-52 needs to go into the shop for
some work, I got a YCL-20.
The YCL-20 is a lot of fun to play. The keywork is great. The sound is not
bad at all, not the YCL-72, but one of its main attributes is that it
doesn't project as well - which is a big advantage when practicing. It is
also considerably lighter - which is better for young children. And the
intonation is excellent. It is actually better than the intonation was on
my older Normandy.
This mailing list has gone round and round that the attributes of wood
really don't have much to do with the sound, its the quality of the work.
I've tried a number of the newer plastic clarinets - including the Bundy 300
which had great sound but I don't like the keywork (just personal
preference) - and I think a plastic clarinet is a better choice for a
student. In fact I think plastic clarinets for the most part are better
than inexpensive wooden ones. They offer: light weight (important for a
child), durability, the ability to be played outside, decent sound, and good
intonation. Once the child has shown that he or she is serious about the
instrument and demonstrates staying power, then it makes sense to look for a
used professional level instrument.
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