 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lori Mains
Date: 2002-07-31 14:30
Hello. My son is entering 5th grade and will be just starting to play the clarinet. I am seeking advice on buying a student clarinet. I have absolutely no musical knowledge/experience so no information is too basic!
My oldest son started the sax two years ago, and for what I spent in rental fees per month ($45), we would have been much better off buying a student sax from the get-go (we did after one year- mail order) and selling it back if need be (thank goodness, he's still playing).
The little I have gleaned so far is that I should probably get a plastic clarinet in the key of B? Yamaha, Vito? Any preference? Anything to avoid? Any advice on reeds?
Thanks!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-07-31 14:40
Lori...This web site has tons of information pertaining to all levels of clarinet playing. The bulletin board is also a good place to get answers too.
Use the "search feature, and also check the archives (in the drop down menu at the top) when you need specific answers.
For some basics, here is a good article to start with:
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/Beginner_Equipment.html ...GBK
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Author: William
Date: 2002-07-31 18:20
No school-owned instruments or school/music store rental program??? You might try a used "plastic" clarinet. Fixed up, they will be as good as any new model and at half the price. Stay with the major brands, Selmer, Yamaha, LeBlanc or Buffet. A used Buffet E-11 would be an excellant find and would serve well into your sons high school years--given he is carefull with its wooden construction. Selmer Bundy "resonite" clarinets are also pretty reliable (and durable) beginners instruments and should be reasonably priced.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-07-31 23:57
A plastic clarinet is a good first instrument. Most of us started out life as clarinetists on one. They are cheap enough to purchase new, I would not recommend getting a second hand one (personally). I had a Yamaha, but that was because the school I attended had a "thing" with Yamaha, so I can't comment on the others. It had a nice tone and its intonation was fine.
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-08-01 13:27
Check with a local clarinet teacher for more help. I recommend Leblanc's vito, yamaha, Buffet (or old Evette repaired), or Selmer's OLD Bundy (I don't personally like the new Selmer 1400's). Plastic clarinets I recommend for the first year. Most of the time young students don't understand instruments and some of their delicacies, and handle instruments improperly. I don't recommend wood instruments for very young players in their first year. Best to read the article GBK referred. Do remember that even a new instrument could have problems not corrected at the factory or that are incurred during shipping.
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