Klarinet Archive - Posting 000345.txt from 1999/11

From: Audrey Travis <vsofan@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Beginner's Equipment
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 17:06:17 -0500

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Michael Moors wrote:

> 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______|___|___=_______|__|___|____ ___|__| |
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> / O
> Michael D. Moors
> http://edcen.ehhs.cmich.edu/~mmoors/

Michael - no message has come through. What's happened - anyone?

Thanks

Audrey

>
>
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