 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jr1216
Date: 2014-11-16 09:11
This is my first year in high school, and my band teacher told me that i should get a new clarinet(a Buffet B12). My top three choices right now are the buffet r13, buffet festival, or yamaha YCL-SEV. which one do you think would be the best?
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Author: BbMajorBoy
Date: 2014-11-16 15:02
I am puzzled; do you need a $5,000 clarinet?
For a 12/13 year old, I would recommend a nice, relatively cheap E12F.
Unless you are at a level where you feel you are being musically restricted because of your instrument, you don't need to upgrade.
Leonard Bernstein: "To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time."
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-11-16 17:07
I wouldn't have told a 13 year old Julian Bliss to stick to a B12.
I'm sorry, let me apologize for the snarkiness upfront (I'm still in barely awake mode). Point being (FOR ME) that ANYONE and EVERYONE should get the best instrument they can reasonably afford. This will allow you the ability to grow unimpeded by the equipment.
As one who teaches younger students I realize there is quite a bit of inertia toward cynicism regarding students (those who don't practice because they don't care), but any student curious enough to get onto a geeky website and ask questions deserves some attention.
Personally I'd go with the R13 since it is and will be the "industry standard" for a good while. You can't go wrong with this 'work horse' clarinet and many professionals just prefer the standard R13 anyway.
................Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2014-11-16 17:20)
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Author: pewd
Date: 2014-11-16 19:20
A first year high school student is either 14 or 15 in most cases, not 12. Students turn 12 during their 6th grade year, they turn 15 during their freshman year.
A upgrade to a B12 is an odd suggestion from a high school director, especially in Texas. For most of my middle school students transitioning to high school, that would be a downgrade.
I'd go to the local music stores and play as many R13's and Yamahas as you can. A festival would be overkill at your age. In my part of the state, the local music stores probably sell 15-20 R13's for every Yamaha. Not that I have a problem with Yamahas, they're fine instruments. They're just not as popular around here.
It would be a good idea to spend your money on private lessons first - a good private teacher can guide you through the instrument upgrade process.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2014-11-16 20:51
A very well known teacher here on the east coast told a 15 year old promising, talented student who is playing a plastic Yamaha to upgrade and buy a used Buffet Greenline R13 with silver plated keys only and at the same time told an adult who is starting to play again since his youth not to buy a used clarinet but in fact to buy a brand new one. That seems like an inconsistent couple of recommendations. Can anyone add input to this?
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2014-11-16 21:13
Clarineteer -- without knowing the financial situation of the adult return-er (who may have a substantial bank account) and the family of the talented student (who may be struggling to pay for lessons)...kind of hard to say.
Presuming that money is no factor, I would imagine that the teacher told the student to buy a used instrument because they're factoring in that the student will inevitably buy another professional Bb clarinet in college. Maybe that's it?
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2014-11-16 21:19
I think the OP has been accidentally unclear: The director wants you to upgrade to a B12, but you prefer a pro horn? Or do you play a B12 and they want you to upgrade to a pro horn?
I wouldn't spend any money on a B12 as an upgrade.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: jr1216
Date: 2014-11-17 02:30
I am sorry for being unclear, I had wrote this half asleep. I had a B12 and my director told me i need a better clarinet. Also, I am looking at high priced clarinets because I want to continue playing that clarinet into my college years while not having to get a new one. Thanks for all the responses and sorry for the confusion!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2014-11-17 04:40
I'm gonna suggest what I usually suggest...
Get a good used pro Bb clarinet (make and model really up to you....test it out and see how you like it). When you find one, send it to a master tech to get completely worked over (tuning, keywork, repadding, etc.)
You'll spend less than a new pro instrument and have one that plays better than most new-out-of-the-box pro instruments you can find.
Alexi
PS - I've played R13s that I thought were amazing instruments. I've played festivals I've thought were amazing instruments. I've played SEV's that I thought were amazing instruments. Moral of the story? Play it first. Don't buy based on brand or model. Play it, pick it cause it sounds good and tunes well. Then send it to someone to make it feel, sound, and tune even better.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: MSK
Date: 2014-11-17 06:23
Although as a middle aged adult I now own multiple Bb clarinets, my primary instrument is still the lightly used R13 purchased when I was about 14. It has served me well, and prevented me from needing to upgrade from an intermediate instrument in college.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-11-20 09:00
If you prefer the Buffet instruments, go for a good used R13 or a new one if your budget permits. Use the resources of a really great clarinet teacher/performer to help you with your selection. Everyone needs the best instrument they can afford, especially young students (and tired old men, like me!). If your are making good progress and long-term committed, get a pro clarinet, not an E12F. You won't regret that decision and will not have to go to the trouble and expense of upgrading in a couple, of years ...
The R13 has great resale value too, so if you really want to upgrade someday to whatever, you can get most of your money back.
I do like the Festival a little better ...
I would also check out the new Ridenour Lyrique Libertas clarinet ... they play easier/better for me than Buffets and at half the price, won't crack or warp and they are professional grade ... compare one side by side with the Buffet, see what you think and try not to be influenced by peer pressure or prejudice.
That's what's so cool nowadays, a lot of really great choices in equipment!
Tom
Post Edited (2014-11-20 09:02)
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2014-11-20 18:12
If I may start back at the beginning, do you know why your band teacher told you that you should get a "new" (i.e. a better..new or used) clarinet...assuming his or her advice is correct? And if so, what was the explanation?
Look, who wouldn't want a new matched pair of excellent Bb/A Buffet Toscas?
I know I would.
But before even determining which instrument is best of the ones you (or others) mentioned, I would suggest that you make sure you have a good handle (if you don't already) on what about your existing clarinet is falling short (as opposed to you, your mouthpiece or reeds) and what you could do(today or tomorrow), that you can't today on your current clarinet, if the (more) professional instrument is put into your hands.
Sometimes just getting a better instrument in a player's hands provides the motivation for them to work harder, even if they don't, at first, have the proficiency to take advantages of the better clarinet's featured. And that's cool.
But band teachers, many of which don't have high clarinet proficiency (and that's okay--they may have been teaching majors, not performance majors, and/or clarinet may not be their (main) instrument) sometimes need to have their opinions checked.
(Mr. Salizar, may you rest in peace, this doesn't apply to you: a wonder person, teacher, and clarinetist.)
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Now, suppose the reason to switch instruments is well grounded in rationale logic. What can you afford? And when I say "afford" I'm talking about 3 things. "What money do you have earmarked for such a purchase," how much do you personally desire a better instrument, and what things of personal value to you will you have to do without, if anything, if you get a new clarinet?"
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I think the suggestions above about which clarinet to get were all good. But make sure that you first have a good idea of why your getting a new clarinet, and why that new clarinet need be a professional model at this point in your development as a high school freshman.
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2014-11-20 22:36
I was a High School Freshman in 1969, and I already knew that music was going to be my path. I purchased a new Buffet R13 then, manufactured in 1969, for the very expensive cost of $280. That was 1969. Now, after many years, uncountable miles, several world tours playing everywhere (including China) I am still playing that R13, among other horns that caught my fancy over the years. Yes, I've needed several repads, and also had the Brannens in Evanston Illinois do a total overhaul about 15 years ago, but that clarinet is one sweet instrument.
Make the investment in a pro horn now, and you'll have it as your best friend the rest of your life, in all probability. You'll be playing your college auditions on it, your recitals, and then who knows? Orchestra auditions are around the corner for you - in 9 years or so, right?
Ken Jarczyk, Woodwind Guy.
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