Klarinet Archive - Posting 000127.txt from 2003/05

From: Anna Benassi <acb@-----.is>
Subj: [kl] clarinet for beginning students
Date: Wed, 7 May 2003 07:32:18 -0400

Hi, Walter,

If you are talking about plastic clarinets, I recommend Yamaha student
clarinets virtually to the exclusion of all others. They are more
durable than most other brands I have seen, need far less frequent
repair, and produce a strong and healthy tone (for most kids, at
least). The keywork is very strong and durable, so things don't get
bent out of shape unless subjected to some sort of violent blow. Our
local repair tech always has piles of Buffet B-10s, for example, in
his shop. He sees far fewer Yamahas. Also, here in Iceland, at any
rate, a Yamaha will hold its resale value much better than will a
Buffet/Bundy/Vito/etc. For obvious reasons.

The single negative thing that I have to say about Yamaha's plastic
clarinets is that the side Eb/Bb key sticks out of the horn too far. I
have yet to meet the student who can resist the temptation to hang the
clarinet on his right index finger. I believe Yamahas are more
expensive than Buffet/Bundy/Vito/etc, but in my opinion, it's well
worth the money to get a more durable instrument.

On the other hand, once my younger students are far enough along that
a wooden clarinet is in order, I tend to push them toward a Buffet
E-13. But this recommendation of a Buffet as opposed to a Leblanc or
other horn is generally due to the fact that our dealer seems to have
an easier time stocking Buffets. It's a small market, so I guess he
doesn't want to fill his warehouse with large numbers of instruments
that won't sell in short order. So I cannot base that recommendation
on anything "objective." Haven't been disappointed, though.

Hope this helps,

Anna

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