Klarinet Archive - Posting 000855.txt from 1998/08

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] major decision
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 01:05:39 -0400

on 8/28/98 3:00 PM, Ben Stutzman wrote:

>My
>teacher suggested either buy a NEW intermediate Yamaha YCL52 or pro
>R-13. I would love to get the pro instrument; but I am really at an
>intermediate level. My parents will contribute enough for the Yamaha,
>me chipping in the rest for the R-13. Is it good for me to get a
>professional horn? I will play through HS for sure, I'm not sure about
>college. If I get a intermediate instrument and play in college, then I
>will want a professional clarinet. Is it better to get the R-13 while I
>have the money? Even if I stop in 3 years, which I don't plan to, is
>the R-13 worth it?

Roger Garrett added:

>My experience is that,
>when a student begins to notice they need a better horn, get the pro
>model. The intermediate models often don't play much better than the
>student grade - especially if the student grades horns are
>overhauled.......of course, people disagree on this.
>
>The R-13 will retain its value much more than any intermediate model you
>might purchase. If you did quit in three years, you could sell it for a
>good percentage of what you paid for it.

I'll add to the advice of Roger and others - go for the Pro clarinet.
With **any** professional quality instrument, in a few years you'll be
able to get your money back if you sell it. The YCL-52 is a very nice
instrument - I know a retired member of an Army band who played one as
his primary Army instrument, with a good mpc, and it sounded as good as
any pro instrument. But then, **he** didn't have to try to sell it and
get his money back!

Lastly, Kelly Abraham opined thusly:

>The last reason would be because Yamaha clarinets, while good instruments,
>tend to play very bright in the upper register, and when playing loud.

I have to take issue a bit with this assessment. I've played Yamahas in
the Richmond Symphony for 13 years. They are a bit less resistant than
Buffets, and have a slightly different blowing quality. If you try to
play them like you would a Buffet, they will sound bright and crass. But
if you match them with a good mouthpiece suited to the clarinet, and have
an ear for how you want to sound, you can get there on a Yamaha just as
well as a Buffet. Or a Leblanc or Selmer for that matter. If Dan Leeson
were here, he'd be preaching the gospel of "buy the instrument, not the
brand name", and I have to agree.

So to expand a bit on the "buy the professional instrument" sentiment,
check out *all* the professional instruments - and buy one whose sound
and "feel" you like. you won't be sorry you've invested the money.

David

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/

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