 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jemmz
Date: 2007-02-08 21:51
Hi, I'm 15 and a half years old and really enjoy playing my clarinet. As you can see from my signature, I've been playing a little while and getting quite advanced, but I was wondering when I ought to be getting a wooden clarinet? Is there a particular time you ought to, or is it more of a preference thing?
I've tried one, and been offered it second hand, but I'd rather get a brand new one that looked a lot nice and less worn. It makes a huge difference - and it's lighter than a plastic one!
Also - what clarinet would you suggest getting for under £1000 for someone my age, who currently plays a yamaha ycl 250 on reeds of strength 3?
Thanks for your time!
Jemz xx
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Author: SVClarinet09
Date: 2007-02-08 23:31
The Howarth website is listing Selmer Paris Odysee at 1200 with VAT. If absolutely can't spend more than 1000 try getting a Leblanc Sonata or Rapsodie. Either or are 1000. A good professional clarinet will set you back around 1500 as the r13 is at 1460 on Howarth and Concerto II is at 1520. Try out instruments and try to find your best suit. Bring a tuner along and a teacher/friend.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-02-08 23:50
It always depends what you expect from a different setup - is it a motivational gift for yourself? Does the current one have any shortcomings besides the look and feel? Will you sound better? Will it make you happier?
There are a lot of good reasons to buy new gear (and sometimes we don't even need good reasons to indulge in gear acquisition syndrome). To be honest, once getting used to a certain instrument, I don't really care whether it's plastic, wood, metal or Idunnowhat. It just has to feel right and sound right. I'm not a brand and logo fetishist.
Another question - where else would/could you spend these thousand quid? Maybe a trip to a clarinet festival with master classes and all that "buys" you more than "only" a new clarinet. Maybe a good second-hander, overhauled by a master craftsperson would be better than an off-the-shelf one? I can't say. That's something you must decide, because you have to live with your choice.
--
Ben
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-02-09 00:33
For under £1000 you can get a new Yamaha 650, Buffet E13 or Leblanc Sonata - try them all out side by side to see which one you prefer - but as you're taking Grade 7 you might as well be looking for a pro level clarinet as you may outgrow these ones fairly quickly.
And as has been stated, there are plenty of excellent used pro level clarinets that will last you well into your performance diploma or beyond.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: pabstboy
Date: 2007-02-09 07:28
Yes. I would go with a pro level clarinet. It would be a much better investment for a 7th grader.
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Author: joeyscl
Date: 2007-02-09 23:16
Seeing how much you enjoy your instrument, i wouldnt buy a intermediate model. A used pro clarinet can cost significantly less... Besides, the only one there is to look at your instrument is you! Just because something is new doesnt mean its better. (Especially for instruments)
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-02-10 16:31
My daughter is now playing on a Buffet R13 that was manufactured in 1971. I was the original owner, and sold it to a freind a number of years back. I reacquired it just before Christmas of 2005 and gave it to her as a gift. This clarinet is far better than many pro-level instruments that are being made nowadays for a much higher price tag. If the instrument is in good shape and plays well, why not get one that is a little older? Newer is not always better!
Jeff
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Author: D
Date: 2007-02-10 16:59
If you are still at school in the UK then investigate if you can get an instrument VAT free. I have never investigated the terms of this arrangement - it might be that you can't actually pick the instrument in which case the offer is useless. But it is worth finding out if you reduce the cost by 17.5%!
Something to consider - is you current instrument properly adjusted? If not then I would recommend getting it to a good tech who can replace any pads needed and make sure all the springs and tensions are right and that there are no leaks. This makes a massive difference, do it now before your exam. Look for another instrument after your grade 7, don't rock the boat while you are on a role! Personally I would want to be auditioning instruments just after an exam when I knew I was playing my best.
If you get a better instrument and it is wood, then keep your plastic one. There are lots of occasions where I don't want to take my expensive kit and use the old stuff that is more robust and a lot less attractive to anyone else.
The main thing I noticed when I got better instruments was the speed that the keys responded. If I played a scale - three octaves - slurred, I could really increase the speed on the better instrument because keys went up when my fingers did and didn't need force to put them down again later.
Good luck with your exam - let us know how you do. And remember that scales are basically free marks, know them inside out!
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Author: janeuk
Date: 2007-02-12 07:15
I recently bought my son a trumpet under this scheme and yes you can choose any instument and not pay the VAT. You have to be taking lessons at school or play in one of the council run music centres, then you just have to fill in some paperwork signed by headteacher and you've saved 17.5% on your chosen instrument, well worth doing I think
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Author: jemmz
Date: 2007-02-12 18:43
thanks for the opinions, everyone!
I'll take them all into consideration - I'm going to dawkes sometime in the next week for a few hours to try some pro clarinets out :D
thanks!
Jemz xx
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Author: kfeder@hotmail.com
Date: 2007-02-13 23:53
I was wondering about the statement that jemmz made:
"and it's lighter than a plastic one!" when he was talking about a wooden clarinet. I've been under the impression that plastic clarinets weigh less than wood. Is this not always the case? Ken
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Author: jemmz
Date: 2007-02-18 20:42
well it felt lighter...maybe i was tricking myself!
I went to try some clarinets out yesterday at Dawkes, and I narrowed it down to 2 clarinets out of 5 in 2 hrs
and then down to one clarinet and one mouthpiece in an extra 1/2 hour.
In the end, I went for the Buffet R13 with a Weinbery M3 mouthpiece. I met Professor Anton Weinberg.... i didnt realise it was him until the 2nd time I saw him and heard his name.
Do any of you already play an R13? I noticed it had a quick response when i tried to play a note...but that might just be because my yamaha ycl 250 hasnt actually been serviced...well - ever!
Thanks for the help!
Jemz xx
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-02-18 20:47
jemmz wrote:
> Do any of you already play an R13?
About 75% of the clarinet world already does - including the people that post on the bulletin board.
Some even own more than one. ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) ...GBK
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-02-18 22:37
Even the reluctant ones like me own one - though it is an Eb.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-02-18 23:02
Drats. I don't. <successfully beats down upcoming GAS reflex>
--
Ben
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Author: jemmz
Date: 2007-02-19 16:53
i only realised when i got home that 2 people had already recommended the r13!
It's nice to know that I seem to have made the right decision :D
I was going to go for s selmer, but at the last minute realised it was too 'hard'...if that makes any sense
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Author: SVClarinet09
Date: 2007-02-19 18:15
By too hard, did you mean too resistant? Like you couldn't get a note out as good as you could with the R13?
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Author: jemmz
Date: 2007-02-20 16:48
yup, resistant is what i meant :D thanks!
glad someone understood what i meant!
Jemz xx
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