Klarinet Archive - Posting 000634.txt from 2000/11

From: "Ian Black" <clarinet1@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Beginer help please
Date: Sun, 19 Nov 2000 06:37:41 -0500

Tony,

Re type or make of clarinet, get a Boehm system Bb clarinet. This shouldn't be an issue if you were
buying from a shop, as it's what the shop would sell you, but if you were buying second-hand it's
something to bear in mind. (note that Full-Boehm has extra keys which may confuse you if you were to
look up fingering charts etc.)

To get an idea of prices, have a look at John Myatt's catalogue. (http://www.myatt.co.uk). They're
in Hitchin in Hertfordshire and have a good name in the UK. Their extensive catalogue should give
you an idea of the list price and going rate for instruments, and they have secondhand lists too. My
main reason for passing their name/URL on is for price comparison (either new or secondhand), but
they do have a good name. If I were buying a new instrument, I'd go to the store to try out a few.
As a beginner, however, they do claim to give each instrument a play-test and thorough going-over
before it leaves them, so buying mail-order may not be all that bad. I've never bought an instrument
from them, but have bought reeds and accessories from them and they've been quite good.

Mouthpieces: talk to a store and ask for a suitable beginner mouthpiece. Look at a mouthpiece chart
and pick something in the middle (i.e. not too open and not too close). Try a couple in store.

Reeds: Try a few. Most popular brands in the UK are Vandoren and Rico. Reed numbers relate to the
strength (resistance) of the reed. The higher the number the stiffer the reed. Maybe start with a
No. 2 and find your way from there.

Don't know of teachers in the Harrogate area (I'm in Scotland), but it's possible that your local
secondary school music department may know of local teachers.

Usual disclaimer: I am not linked to any of the people or companies mentioned above, and therefore
receive no payment for the recommendation. Most wind players in the UK will know of John Myatt's - I
recommend them on the basis of having dealt with them in the past.

Regards,

Ian

----- Original Message -----
From: tony jones <tony-jones@-----.net>
Subject: [kl] Beginer help please

> Hi to everyone on the list.
> I am wanting to learn how to play the clarinet, and I am wanting some
> advise.
> For example what type or make of clarinet to buy, what to look out for if I
> were to buy a second hand instrument, any advise about reeds and
> mouthpieces.

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