Klarinet Archive - Posting 000889.txt from 1999/09

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Vote for the Best Clarinet
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 02:00:17 -0400

On Sat, 25 Sep 1999 Mightymenpaintin@-----.com wrote:

> Here is the challenge give me your vote on which clarinet brand/model
> etc. ... and include reasons why if you have time. The highest
> number picked will be what my daughter will take to college and thru
> her life.

It seems to me that this method of choosing an instrument will certainly
result in failure. The chances are very good that what you will get will
be an instrument in which your daughter will be very disappointed in a
very short period of time. There are a number of instances of faulty
reasoning in your message, but instead of dwelling on them, I think I will
make an alternative suggestion.

First, such a decision should always be made with the advice of an expert,
highly-qualified and trusted teacher. If your daughter is going to
college to study music, the person who will be her teacher there should
have input into the decision. The other advantage of that is that such a
teacher will know where you can get the best value for your money. Some
dealers discount certain brands more than others. Also, good teachers
will know dealers who not only retailers, but who also are repairers or
technicians. "New clarinet" does not necessarily equate with "clarinet in
top-flight condition."

Second, what you are seeking is impossible to determine. There is no such
thing as "the best clarinet" or "the best brand of clarinet." There are
many opinions about which manufacturer is most likely to make good
clarinets, but every maker is quite capable of making "dogs" as well as
excellent instruments. It is possible to generalize about the
characteristics of certain brands, but such opinions are just that -
opinions.

If you did take a vote on the clarinet list, and could get a sizable
number of people to respond (which many will not), you still would have
only the unsubstantiated opinions of a few hundred clarinetists. Even
those who would choose one brand over another would certainly not be able
to assure you that all clarinets by that maker are wonderful, nor might
they be suitable for your daughter specifically.

I understand very well your desire to get the best value for your dollar,
and I admire and commend you for your willingness to invest in your
daughter's future in music. The best thing I could wish for you would be
a successful search for an instrument. In order to accomplish that, I
strongly urge you to rethink your method of making the decision. You will
find that many people are willing to advise you, give you the information
you need, and test instruments for you. I encourage you to take advantage
of that fact.

Good luck, and best wishes to both you and your daughter.

Ed Lacy
*****************************************************************
Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
*****************************************************************

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