Klarinet Archive - Posting 000228.txt from 1999/04

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Selecting an instrument (was Religion vs. Science)
Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 13:10:04 -0400

-----Original Message-----
From: James <jparkin9@-----.net>
Date: Sunday, April 04, 1999 10:15 AM
Subject: [kl] Religion vs. Science

>... As a rank amateur I have a question. Just how should one, as
>ignorant as I currently am, go about purchasing an instrument that plays
>well, sounds good and will last, ack!, and God forbid, even fetch me
>some of my hard earned dollars back if I choose to sell it and purchase
>the latest and greatest when Science or Religion makes that available?

Very simply. Define your criteria before you start considering brand,
model, and material. Once you have defined that criteria, then start play
testing those instruments that meet it. For example, you might start like
this.

1. Is outdoor work in bad weather a real possibility?
2. How much do I want to spend?
3. Would I be happy with a used horn or do I have the personal need to have
a new piece of equipment?
4. How good is the construction?
Not all student plastics are created equal for example. Bundys, Vitos,
B-12s, and beginner Yamahas are generally well made, sturdy horns. This
can't be said of some brands. The same thing applies to intermediate and
pro level instruments.
5. Does the mechanism (keywork) respond well?
6. Does the layout feel good for me? (The key and lever positions do vary
slightly from brand to brand so you might find one more comfortable than
another).
7. Does the manufacturer do their own research and development? Again the
major ones do (Buffet, Leblanc, Selmer, and Yamaha) and perhaps some of the
minor ones but there are a lot of companies that don't. For the big four,
some of this research gets incorporated into their intermediate and student
lines.
8. What is the overall reputation of the maker throughout their line of
instruments?
9. For resale: How well is the maker known in general? Again the four
majors are your best best. Also how good are you at writing advertising
copy? I've seen two horns of the same make and model listed on the auction
sites. Due to the description and quality of photo, the poorer one got bid
higher than the better one.

When you play test them, try several of each model under consideration. Be
aware that sometimes even a brand new instrument may need some adjustments
as things can vibrate loose during shipping so the instrument could leak.
Also use a good mouthpiece. Even though some come with decent mouthpieces,
others don't and you could overlook the best horn of all just because the
stock mouthpiece is poor or may not suit you. The mouthpiece can make a
tremendous difference in playing resistence and intonation. Make sure you
are using a good reed too.

Each manufacturer selects a different compromise in the design of their
instruments to meet the market preferences. What is great for you might be
unbearable for me and vice versa. Take notes as you try different brands
to see what you like. Write down what you like and don't like. Check to
see if the instrument plays reasonably well in tune for YOU without
excessively favoring any notes via embouchure or special fingerings (you'll
need a tuner for this).

Other than the player himself, the most vital elements of the instrument are
the mouthpiece, reed and proper matching of reed to mouthpiece. The
instrument has less effect than these elements. Don't knock the student
instruments too much as so many beginners play them only with the stock
mouthpiece and often very cheap reeds plus the beginning players generally
have undeveloped embouchures and breath support. I picked up a Bundy Eb
clarinet (yes plastic) at a pawn shop for practically nothing. With the
stock mouthpiece, it was horribly sharp throughout (30 cents on the tuner)
and I couldn't find appropriate reeds locally either. I bought a Vandoren
5RV mouthpiece, mail ordered some Vandoren 3 1/2 reeds, and a new ligature
and now it plays right on the money. My husband loves the sound of that
little Eb.

Dee Hays
Canton, SD

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