 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: StormFalcon32
Date: 2018-06-09 18:28
I currently playing on an E11. I would say I'm an "advanced" level high school player (got into All State, albeit with a crappy seat) and I'll probably play throughout high school (I'm a first year) and most likely through college (not as a music major though). Since the E11 is (I think) almost the highest intermediate model, I feel like skipping the next step (which is something like an E13 if I'm remembering correctly) is probably the best, which would put me in the R13 "entry level pro" bracket. So the question is, will I be gaining anything substantial that a player at my level can appreciate, or is my E11 going to be Ok? If I do upgrade, what should it be to? Of course R13 is the gold standard but I've heard you need to try them out and I might not have that luxury. I've also heard good things about the Yamaha custom clarinets like the CSVR, but there's a ton of those in similar price brackets so I'm not really sure what the heirarchy of those is. Thanks for the help
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2018-06-09 18:57
Your E11 will be fine instrument throughout your high schools year unless you will be aiming for 1st chair in your All State Orchestra. There has been much improvement in clarinet design lately and by college level, there may be even more.
It is most likely that you are not getting the best out of your E11 now. If possible, let a fine player play on your E11 to see how much more you can get out of it. Saying that, you won't find that the best clarinet in the world will improve your playing much at this time.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2018-06-09 19:20
Squeeze as much as you can out of your E11 by making sure it's well regulated and air tight. Explore the best MP, and barrel options with a good teacher. Practice, practice, practice. When it's time to move on, keep the E11 as a back-up.
There are so many great upgrade options out there: R13, Tradition, Yamaha CSVR/SEVR, Backun F or G model, Ridenour Libertas ... many. It's a buyer's paradise.
Tom
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2018-06-09 22:44
When you decide to upgrade, consider buying a used pro level clarinet provided it has bee fully overhauled by a clarinet specialist to guarantee it's in top playing form.
If anything, a fully rebuilt pro level clarinet is often a far better player than a brand new one as many new instruments aren't built or finished to the standard you'd expect, so the problems overlooked by the factory's quality control are usually picked up and dealt with during an overhaul.
As for your E11 - keep that as a back-up clarinet and use it for playing in conditions where you wouldn't want to subject a pro level clarinet to, such as freezing cold halls or churches and playing outdoors in cold, wet or windy weather or in direct sunlight with no cover.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: StormFalcon32
Date: 2018-06-10 04:01
Thanks for all the replies, something I just realized was that I have a younger sibling who wants to play clarinet too, so upgrading is probably what I'll do, and let her use the E11/use it as a backup. So now the question is what to upgrade to? Multiple alternatives would be appreciated, especially when it seems everybody and their neighbor's dog plays an R13. I've heard good stuff about the CSVR but apart from those two I'm sure there has to be many other good instruments too.
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2018-06-10 04:09
TomS lists some of the best up above.
I am retired from 26 years of professional orchestral playing after 4 years in the Coast Guard Band and now in retirement, I am playing on a Ridenour Libertas which I am very pleased with.
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Author: StormFalcon32
Date: 2018-06-10 04:12
Ken Lagace wrote:
> TomS lists some of the best up above.
> I am retired from 26 years of professional orchestral playing
> after 4 years in the Coast Guard Band and now in retirement, I
> am playing on a Ridenour Libertas which I am very pleased with.
Whoops just read his reply
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