 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: don13
Date: 2010-04-06 21:08
Hi. I am just about to purchase my first clarinet. I am now retired (just to let you know that I am not a youngster) It is something I have wanted to try since I was about twelve years old. I don't want a cheap and nasty one that will make me not believe in myself but on the other hand I havn't the funds to go expensive. What do I do and where do I start?
dgbsales@blueyonder.co.uk
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2010-04-06 22:30
I think it depends on your age and how far you want to go. The clarinet is not the easiest of instruments and in my case with not too many ticks left on the clock I bought a Vito Resinite BUT the plateau type. The keys are covered like a flute, which has meant no critical finger placement and no squeeks.
I play in two bands with it and for me it is the perfect choice.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2010-04-06 23:08
A Yamaha 250 is also a rather safe buy and consistent product.
It is quite well built and has synthetic Valentino pads- while some might not like them, they will last for many more years longer than any pad made from natural materials.
If you get the Yamaha, however, you should buy a different mouthpiece. The mouthpiece that comes with Yamaha clarinets is not very good.
Post Edited (2010-04-06 23:09)
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Author: crampy
Date: 2010-04-07 03:33
I started learning 2 yrs ago for the same reason - something had wanted to do. Got a Yamaha 250 and it's fine (and relatively cheap but not nasty). Good enough for now and later, with experience, can upgrade if necessary. The mouthpiece that came with it (4C) is fine as well. Still using it and my teacher thinks it's good enough. Hope that helps.
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Author: west-wind
Date: 2010-04-07 06:29
I'm in a similar postiton, at the age of 55 I have returned to the clarinet after more years than I care to mention, although I have played flute and saxophone over the years.
I would second the suggestion of hanson, I picked up a second hand hanson student instrument locally and was, and am delighted with it, it is well made, the key work is robust and well aligned, for me, in addition they offer 5 years, return to base, free repair and service, in my opinion they can't be beaten; also form past experience as an owner of one of their saxophones I can say my customer service experience was second to none.
Paul
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2010-04-07 13:17
Can you find a teacher or a local, experienced clarinet player to help you, before you buy the instrument? Clarinets and mouthpieces vary a lot, even when we're comparing two instruments made by the same company at around the same time. I think it would be well worth paying for a lesson in the form of a "clarinet tasting session," for the teacher to see and try out the instruments you're considering. A good teacher or even an experienced amateur clarinet player can spot any manufacturing whoopsie, adjustment problem or damage on a particular instrument. That's especially helpful if you're considering buying a used clarinet (often an excellent value, btw).
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2010-04-07 15:28
have a look at the leBlanc Bliss clarinets. I tested them recently, and they were right on.
Bob Phillips
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Author: pewd
Date: 2010-04-07 23:27
Buffet E-11 ; Vandoren #3.0 blue box reeds; Rovner 'dark' ligature ; Fobes 'debut' mouthpiece ; and a good private teacher
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: feadog79
Date: 2010-04-08 00:01
I second the mention of a private instructor. I also think that any clarinet of reasonably good quality will do. Bliss and Buffet are great choices, but may not fit within your budget. Don't be afraid to look second-hand. I also second the mention of the Fobes Debut mouthpiece. It's a wonderful quality student mouthpiece; many instruments come with a completely sub-par mouthpiece, and beginners of any level just don't realize how important the mouthpiece is.
I'd rather have a plastic Vito with a good mouthpiece than a Buffet of any kind with a crappy mouthpiece!
Joe W.
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2010-04-08 01:25
Blah to the E11. For as much as they cost, the LeBlanc Bliss is a better bet in my opinion. I started on an E11, and now have an R13 and a Festival, but for student/entry level I think the Bliss is the best way to go. Tom Ridenour's clarinets are also very good.
Just be sure to try before you buy!
____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"
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Author: RoBass
Date: 2010-04-08 19:32
If you want to choose a medium range clarinet, then the Yam 250 is not the right model. The 450 should fit better ;-)
kindly
Roman
PS: An actual designed Amati should fit too. There you could get a semiprofessional instrument below 1000,- EURO and an advanced beginner model from 500,- to 800,-. The quality of this new models is very well and comparable to the big 4... (the best European dealer would be the Austrian Musikhaus Höllwerth - please inspect theirs offers in the web for details)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-04-08 22:51
That dealer has one of the most hilarious web site translations I've ever seen...
...wasn't that Sonnleitner once?
--
Ben
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Author: RoBass
Date: 2010-04-09 14:32
@tictactux: It's seems to be so ;-) Please take a look into the guest book!
kindly kidding
Roman
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Author: don13
Date: 2010-04-12 22:17
Hi. This reply is to all of you who responded to my plea for help in selecting a suitable clarinet. All the suggestions ,comments and advice have been totally invaluable to me. I have taken notice and bought a BUFFET B12 from a highly respected music shop and not E-Bay where I did all of my trawling. I have just this minute got back from the shop 7:00pm Monday and I have yet to assemble it. I am now however very keen to have a try so I will say a very sincere thank you with kindest regards. Don
dgbsales@blueyonder.co.uk
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Author: don13
Date: 2010-04-12 22:19
Hi. This reply is to all of you who responded to my plea for help in selecting a suitable clarinet. All the suggestions ,comments and advice have been totally invaluable to me. I have taken notice and bought a BUFFET B12 from a highly respected music shop and not E-Bay where I did all of my trawling. I have just this minute got back from the shop 7:00pm Monday and I have yet to assemble it. I am now however very keen to have a try so I will say a very sincere thank you with kindest regards. Don
dgbsales@blueyonder.co.uk
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Author: jasperbay
Date: 2010-04-13 04:10
I must have missed something, did anybody suggest a B12 ?? ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif) Just kidding, I started my 'golden years' comeback with a B12 too.
Clark G. Sherwood
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