Klarinet Archive - Posting 000342.txt from 1999/11

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Beginner's Equipment
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 17:06:14 -0500

Audrey Travis wanted help on student stuff:

<<<I know we've had a lot of discussion over the past few months about
mouthpieces, but I would like to ask for people's best
recommendationsfor mouthpieces for kids who are 9 or 10 when they start in a
full band program with no time available for sectionals or a lot of
troubleshooting on the spot. By the time each class is settled, I'm lucky
to get 25 minutes of teaching/playing time twice a week.

Also, as a relative clarinet beginner myself, how does one know how to match
a clarinet and a mouthpiece? Would anyone venture to put together
some good clarinet and mouthpiece combos? I start all my beginners on #2
reeds.>>>

Audrey--

The strange and sad thing about student clarinets is that they all cost
about the same (at least for the new, plastic ones). There are many, many
brands I could list that students "shouldn't" buy, but that's really not
necessary or desirable. It's not necessary because it's really more useful
to steer the student to the better-performing brands; it's not desirable
because you will inevitably have students with the "bad" ones and you don't
want to make them feel like second-class citizens.

My advice is to do what I used to: I told parents that there is quite a
variety on the market, but Buffets, Yamahas and Vitos generally do a better
job. They're easier to play (in tune) and cost less overall because they
hold up better. I personally do not like the Selmer/Bundy clarinets because
(a) the keywork is cast, not forged and is quite awkward in design (at
least for my small hands -- please note that little kids have small hands,
too) and (b) many of them are intentionally pitched sharp in the clarion
register. Others like them, however. IMHO, other brands should be avoided.

As a general rule, however, most any new clarinet made in the U.S. would be
better than a used clarinet that has not been maintained. You can get a
great deal on used instruments -- about half the instruments I regularly
perform on are "pre-owned" -- but most band parents won't be able to tell if
the instrument is in good condition or thrashed and unplayable.

Buffets, Yamahas and Vitos all come with pretty good mouthpieces already.
If you want a good, cheap upgrade, I'd go for Clark Fobes' Debut or Hite's
Premier. Both are plastic, however, so you'll need to use a mouthpiece
patch. There shouldn't be an issues of which mouthpiece for which brand of
horn; they should all work fine.

The Selmer & Vandoren B45 are OK, I guess, but some would not consider them
a large step up from the mouthpiece supplied with the Buffet, Vito or
Yamaha. They are also quite expensive -- the Fobes and Hite should be just
a bit over half their price.

Reeds -- Starting on 2s is OK, I guess. I would urge 2-1/2s myself. Clean
ones are far better than green ones!

All of this my opinion, of course.

kjf

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