Klarinet Archive - Posting 000266.txt from 2002/04

From: "Mark Tomita" <marktomita@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] A few newbie questions (long)
Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2002 22:07:16 -0400

I'm using a Harrison Hertz inverted ligature - got it for under $20 at a
local music store. I think he passed away, and I don't think anyone is
replicating or mass producing them. Sound is more alive and
articulartion is clearer than the Bonade, Rovner, Luyben, Vandoren, BG,
or Peter Spriggs' floating ligature.

-----Original Message-----
From: Terry B [mailto:tbroyles99@-----.com]
Subject: RE: [kl] A few newbie questions (long)

>
> Terry, you know what?
>
> It sounds as if YOU have caught the clarinet bug from your daughter!

:-) Don't know if I have caught the bug or not. I do tend to try to
learn as much as I can about certain things. The internet is making the
learning process easier, as long as you remember to filter out the
chaff. (I almost used another word instead of chaff, but I don't want to
start that thread again.) ;)

>
> I would not worry too much about whether or not she wants to major in
> music in college at this point. I WOULD begin to save some money in a
savings
> account just in case she does, so you won't be caught unawares when
the
> time
> comes to upgrade to a better level clarinet. Don't worry too much
about
> buying a set of two clarinets, etc. If she does get really serious
about
> clarinet, I'd suggest a youth orchestra BEFORE college,

She is enrolled in the Seattle Youth Symphony's Marrowstone-in-the-City
summer camp this summer and will be auditioning for one of their
orchestras next season.

> and there are used A
> clarinets out there for much less than you would pay for a new one. I
> would not suggest a brand new horn before college, to be truthful,
> unless
you
> are
> fairly well off. I do not, of course, presume to make your decision
for
> you; I simply am aware of the expense involved, and would not want you
to
> buy something unless your daughter is well on the way to a career in
> music.

We rented for a while, and just recently purchased, with the advice of
her instructor, a new Buffet B-12. It is plastic, but after a complete
set-up and adjustment by an excellent repair person, it plays excellent
and should withstand the trek thru middle school and into high school.
If she is still serious, then we will look at upgrading. Used is a
definite option. We just purchased an excellent 1974 Bach Strat trumpet
for our son, saving about 600.00 vs. a new one, and by most opinions,
got a better horn than a new one. Our son is at the level that he
understands trumpets and appreciates the quality and sound of a
"vintage" model. At where our daughter is, I don't think she would have
appreciated a great used wood model clarinet as much as a shiny new one.
And the Buffet B-12, looks like wood. :)

>
> One thing to be aware of - there are many careers she could have in
music
> besides performing. Teaching, of course, is another possibility.
Music
> therapy is also a growing field. Music business is quite the thing
these
> days - in many urban and suburban areas there is a large enough
population
> to support more than one music store.

Fortunately, we have a while before we have to think about this. :) It
would be nice to get her ability up to maybe get some scholarship help,
if not her major.

>
> Now, for the clincher - why don't YOU learn how to play clarinet?
Yes,
> sir,
> YOU sir!
> I know, I sound like Dr. Seuss! However, I am entirely serious. Not
only
> do adults make fine learners, this would be an excellent way for you
to
> not
> only spend more time getting to know more first hand about something
that
> interests your daughter, but it would be a fun hobby for you as well
as a
> way to let off some steam! Plenty of adults need a way to "vent"
after a
> long frustrating day at the office or out in the field or wherever
they
> work, and they often find tooting on a horn to be just the thing.
>
> Since your daughter seems to be a quick study, perhaps she might get
YOU
> started on the basics. And maybe, she might be ready to upgrade to an
> intermediate level horn, and you could take over the plastic Bundy,
Vito,
> or
> whatever. If not, why not pick up a clarinet at a pawn shop? Perhaps
> your daughter's teacher could help you pick out one that is in good
> working order. I have been known to go with prospective students to
> the local shoppes and play on a few of them and pick out the ones that

> play so
the
> students can get started. This works well for folks who are serious
and
> don't want to rent.

I got a kick out of this, but no, I don't see a clarinet in my future.
If I were ever to get the bug, keyboards or guitar would be my first
choice. :-)

>
> As far as mouthpieces, reeds, etc:
>
> I suggest the Clark Fobes "Debut" though there are also other fine
> beginner mouthpieces. The Debut is priced very reasonably (I think
> you
probably
> have
> noticed already that I am a teacher for those on a budget! I suppose
it
> is
> because I myself am of very limited means and have to really pinch my
> pennies!) and its sound is very smooth throughout all the registers.

We have an appointment scheduled with her instructor to try out about 10
different Vandoren mouth pieces at our local music store.

>
> Reeds: many folks use Vandorens, but I do NOT suggest them for
beginners.
> Way too inconsistent. I suggest LaVoz medium soft, or Rico Grand
Concerts
> 2's or Mitchell Lurie 2's (the Gold Box regulars). Any of these three
> brands will do ok to start. Normally adults will not take as soft a
> reed as
a
> child, though if there is an asthma or other respiratory ailment, then
> that has to be taken into account.

She just switched to a Fibracell soft, and she loves it.

>
> Ligature - a regular or inverted Bonade will do just fine, and is
> reasonably priced. If you want, however, you can get a Rovner.
> However, I do
not
> think it really matters.

I will have to ask her instructor about ligatures. We have not ever
talked about them. I have recently learned thru this list that they can
even make a difference. I just thought of them as a clamp to hold on the
reed. :)

>
> Anyway, whatever you decide to do, best of luck to you and your
family.
> You
> sound like a wonderful dad!

Thanks....<blush>

Terry and Chong Ye

>
> Patricia A. Smith
> pattiesmith@-----.net
> "I am so insecure that I went on jury duty and was sent home because I
> kept finding myself guilty." - Dan Leeson
>

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