Klarinet Archive - Posting 000343.txt from 1999/11

From: Michael Moors <mdmoors@-----.us>
Subj: Re: [kl] Beginner's Equipment
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 17:06:15 -0500

At 05:50 PM 11/9/99 -0800, you wrote:
>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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/ O
Michael D. Moors
http://edcen.ehhs.cmich.edu/~mmoors/

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