Klarinet Archive - Posting 000671.txt from 2002/10

From: "Rebecca Brennan" <rjbrennan1221@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Selecting a clarinet
Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 18:18:30 -0500

The main reason I want a new clarinet now is to raise my score at the
all-state auditions. The auditions are January 4th, so I'm wanting to get a
new instrument as soon as possible. I'm going to make a decision after
November 11. That is the end of marching band. A store recommended I buy a
LeBlanc because I play on a vito and that would not be too big of a jump on
intonation because of this system they use. I plan to look into it.

I want to do the woodwind brasswind try three clarinets and keep one deal,
but I don't know what to try.

I just think that now is a good time to get one because my birthday and
christmas are coming up and I have money right now to chip in and get a very
good clarinet.

-Rebecca

>From: b5w@-----.net (William Wright)
>Reply-To: klarinet@-----.org
>To: klarinet@-----.org
>Subject: Re: [kl] Selecting a clarinet
>Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 09:27:11 -0800 (PST)
>
> <><> Rebecca Brennan wrote:
>I've been looking at a beautiful Selmer clarinet at a music store. It
>has unstained wood and gold keys. They let me play it and I think it was
>very easy for me to play. I had better intonation on my old plastic vito
>though.
>
>
>
>Rebecca, your post catches my attention because I have just recently
>become very disturbed by my intonation on one particular note (throat
>Bb) of my semi-professional clarinet.
>
>I don't know what to blame it on, nor do I understand why I didn't
>perceive it as a problem earlier. The only solid fact I have is that
>my *inexpensive* *plastic* *student* horn does not appear (right now) to
>have the problem, and the difference is so severe that I have --- with
>some sadness --- put my wood horn aside for the moment.
>
>The usual advice when someone asks "Which clarinet should I buy?" is:
>
>"Try different instruments yourself and _listen_.
>
>"Since you are part of the total 'acoustic system', what works for you
>won't work for some other people, just as the mouthpiece or reed that
>works for you won't work for some other people.
>
>"Give it a month or two, visit the store several times and play the same
>instrument more than just once or twice. Buy from someone who will
>allow exchanges if you hear something that you don't like after the
>first few days of intensive playing at home. That's how you should
>decide."
>
>As I said above, I'm happiest right now on my $400 ($350?) plastic
>student horn, even though I don't understand why. Perhaps you'll be
>happier if you use the money for something else, such as music camp or a
>prom dress.
>
>I find it especially alarming to hear you say that you are considering
>an instrument whose intonation you don't enjoy (at the moment). Each
>instrument is different, of course, and perhaps after a few weeks you
>will adjust to the handsome wood instrument. But 'looking good' is not
>what music is about. Looking good is icing on the musical cake, not
>the driving force.
>
>Cheers,
> Bill
>
>
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