Klarinet Archive - Posting 000456.txt from 2000/08

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] taking up the clarinet again
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 23:19:59 -0400

on 8/16/00 5:47 PM, Dee D. Hays wrote:

>Basically there are four major brands that are recommended for their
>quality. You have already mention Selmer and Buffet. Leblanc and Yamaha
>also have fine reputations. I don't know the models for Selmer or Yamaha
>but you might look at the Leblanc Noblet 45, Leblanc Sonata, or Buffet E-13.
>These are at the high end of the intermediate scale or transition between
>intermediate and pro level.
>
As A Yamaha Performing Artist, maybe I can shed some light on the
Yamahas. The 52 is a great intermediate horn. I know players in the
military bands around here that use them for all the outdoor gigs they
have to do - well made instrument, sounds almost as good as a
professional level clarinet, and is significantly cheaper. Yamaha also
make a model 34, which is their "entry level" wooden instrument. I just
happen to have a student at the moment who has one of these that she
bought used. It was put into top shape by a repair tech from her home
town of Buffalo NY, and it is a wonderful instrument. The 34 is less
expensive than the 52.

BTW, a YPA plays Yamaha instruments (and I do, in the Richmond Symphony -
since 1985) and pays for them (at least at my level!). Yamaha provides
some support for workshops and master classes if anyone asks me to do
them. That's the extent of my official relationship with Yamaha.

>An important thing to consider is to get a good mouthpiece. The ones
>included with the clarinets often aren't very good as the companies are
>clarinet designers not mouthpiece designers.

Yes, get a better mouthpiece. Clark Fobes makes a great beginner
mouthpiece for around $30 the last I knew, and it outplays many of the
big manufacturer's mouthpieces at 2 or 3 times the price. Clark is a
Sneezy sponsor, so he's easy to contact from the Clarinet Pages
(sneezy.com)

David

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/

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