Klarinet Archive - Posting 000120.txt from 1998/11

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Re: [kl] Starter Clarinet?
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1998 05:55:49 -0500

At 11:26 PM 11/4/98 -0600, Carl Schexnayder wrote:
>There's nothing worse than seeing a beginner struggle with an instrument
>that a professional couldn't play because the parents didn't want to, (or
>couldn't), spend the money for a better instrument. Then the student gets
>discouraged and quits! I always try to get my students to start on a good
>intermediate wooden clarinet or better. Although I don't start beginners
>anymore, parents and relatives who are my former students often come to me
>for advice. My idea is that a used wooden instrument is always, (my
>opinion), better than a plastic one and if they can't find a new one, I can
>usually help them find a good used one for the same money they would have
>paid for the plastic. If we can't come up with one, I will usually switch
>them to bass on contra, (if they have some ability). If they don't, no
>kind of equipment will help them anyway, (again, my opinion).
>
>Of course, I always tell my band students never to bring their instrument to
>the shop without checking with me first. Most often, there is a simple
>problem that can be fixed on the spot instead of having the instrument out
>of commission for two or three weeks, (during which time the student has
>forgotten everything he ever learned). The point is that, if these simple
>problems are taken care of, they don't develop into major problems. I tell
>them that whenever a note doesn't respond as well as any other note or the
>instrument doesn't play as well as it used to, there's something wrong,
>(although it could be a problem with the reed or a chipped mouthpiece - but
>the teacher and the student need to be aware of those things as well and
>those problems can also be fixed), and it needs attention!
>
In my experience, pretty much ANY clarinet (Artleys and Chinese imports
excepted) will work for a beginner, but ONLY if it is leak-free and
properly regulated. It is amazing how much false economy you see out in
the real world; how many skinless pads and rubber bands you see because
people put off needed maintenance to save money. I'm quite sure that at
least half of all beginning band students who quit do so because they think
they just can't do it when, in fact, it is a malfunctioning instrument that
has let them down.

By the way, I agree completely with your opinion on the B45. Although I
have have played on it a lot myself, I, too, find it unsuitable for
beginners due to its relatively large opening and long facing. I like its
sound, but have trouble playing it in tune above the staff myself. In this
area, the Selmer HS* is very popular with band directors, and it is just
the sort of mouthpiece you recommend.

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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