Klarinet Archive - Posting 000194.txt from 2003/05

From: CBA <clarinet10001@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] What clarinet do you recommend for beginning students?
Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 04:00:34 -0400

Walter,

I usually stick with the Vito (LeBlanc,) Yamaha, and Buffet
instruments for beginners, but I go with the student to help
them find an instrument. We first get a mouthpiece (either a
Fobes Debut or a Hite Premiere, whichever that student plays
easiest on) cosen by testing it on my own instrument (which
takes the variable out of whether the instrument plays.) After
choosing a student mouthpiece, I play test all of the
instruments of that level myself in the store. I then send back
the ones not in good condition (i.e. leaks, bad key action,
etc.) and choose the order of the ones remaining (in my head,
not telling the student.) At that point, I let the student try
all of the instruments, and choose the top three that they like.

If the student has never played before, I weigh my choices more
than theirs, but if the student has played enough to be able to
play a scale, I usually let their choices rule.

I have students on many different makes and models, and I have
found different models and brands to be better or worse on
different trips to the music store, depending on what the
manufacturers are spitting out that month. I have a student with
a GREAT Yamaha beginner model and one with a GREAT Vito. I also
have played on beginner models of Yamaha, Vito, and Buffet that
were virtually unplayable, and needed to be melted down for some
other purpose in life. I know people have great lick with the
"B" series Buffet instruments, but I have yet to find one that
wasn't very resistant in one way or another, and I feel that
beginners should NOT start on a resistant instrument, since
their breath control and embouchure are undeveloped. I feel that
the resistance of an unbalanced horn, or the resistance of an
intermediate/professional instrument will impede their initial
development.

I would never send a student to pick an instrument alone, nor
would I go to pick one out for myself alone. I know it is a
little retentive, but I have to listen to these instruments
every week, so I have a personal interest in my students NOT
getting a crappy horn <grin>.

Kelly Abraham
Woodwinds - New York City
--- GrabnerWG@-----.com wrote:
> For all you clarinet teachers out there. If someone asks you
> to recommend a clarinet for a beginner, say a 6th grader, what
> do you say? What brand, model, etc. This isn't just idle
> curiosity. I have a need for this type of information.
>
> Walter Grabner

Do you Yahoo!?
The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
http://search.yahoo.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is supported by Woodwind.Org, http://www.woodwind.org/