Klarinet Archive - Posting 000195.txt from 2003/05

From: Janine <janine@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Re: What clarinet do you recommend for beginning students?
Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 06:58:25 -0400

Just to add to Kelly's (& others) detailed & excellent
advice....

I've had the opportunity to play many student models, & I
have to say that the Yamaha's are my faves. Even though I
own several R-13's (no, I didn't buy them :-), I inherited
them from my father), I like the Yamahas so much that I
bought one for myself several years ago! (Hey, I just like
variety. :-)

Seriously, I think everyone who plays should have a plastic
model, to take outside when you don't want to expose your
more expensive wooden instrument(s) to the elements. Or if
you just play for fun, & not professionally, a Yamaha
student model may suit your needs just fine & be all you need.

Actually, I object to them being called student models - it
implies inferiority - I'd like to see them just called
plastic models, as student clarinets are of higher quality
that most other student instruments, & are very close in
quality to the intermediate instruments - so much so, that
many don't even recommend wasting the extra $$$$$ on the
intermediates.

Anyway, I agree w/others who have said that the Yamahas play
very easily & nicely, are well built, & have far fewer
problems than other brands.

Also, the mouthpiece that comes w/the Yamaha student model
is excellent, unlike the other student brands, which have
mouthpieces that I would definitely recommend be replaced
w/a better one.

Whatever you decide on, please stick w/the main names -
Vito, Yamaha, and Selmer, Buffet (I've not played the other
brands mentioned, so I can't comment on them) - not some
awful Chinese import you might pick up on Ebay! Nothing will
kill a student's interest faster than a cheap, poorly made
instrument. And if you or the student aren't advanced
players, do try to have a teacher or an experienced player
check out individual instruments for you, as mentioned - it
will save much grief.

Oh, & FWIW, my Yamaha case has never had any problems & is
still in perfect shape, but then I'm sure a kid might be a
little rougher on one. :-)

Janine

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