 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Brian Richards
Date: 2004-05-16 22:39
I want to know about nice sounding plastic clarinets for marching season. I'm thinking of buying off ebay. But would like your suggestions before I consider any. I'm looking for something inexpensive. I've been told that any plastic clarinet will do. But I want to sound somewhat nice...
Thanks for your time.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2004-05-16 23:37
As long as you have a good concept of what you wish to sound like and a decent mpc, any plastic clarinet will do. A Legere reed would also be a good idea.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-05-16 23:49
Hi,
Bundy and Vito clarinets are just right for marching band but as William wisely advises, a good mouthpiece is imperative. You shoud be able to pick up one on eBay for around $50 to 75 depending on what condition the pads are in.
HRL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2004-05-16 23:52
Any of the "big four" make perfectly fine resonite/plastic clarinets ... most of us probably started life on a plastic clarinet. I personally started on a Yamaha ... it was ok, made a "nice" sound and was pretty hardy. I was very glad to get my pro-horn, however.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2004-05-17 00:03
William's answer sounds like the voice of experience 
For outdoor gigs I like Vitos and Bundys(plastic). They're well made (rugged construction) and intonation is pretty good. As long as you keep in mind that anything you buy off eBay will probably need some work you should be okay.
Have you checked the Classifieds here at Woodwind? You're likelier to get a better deal from a reliable clarinet player/seller than eBayers who just as likely are clueless about what they're selling.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lisa
Date: 2004-05-17 00:24
Our college provided us wtih Vito plastic clarinets for marching band. We all liked how well they played... Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brian Richards
Date: 2004-05-17 02:54
Thank you all for the input. Great advice. Are their specific mouthpieces that would make a plastic clarinet sound better? I was actually thinking of using a 5RV Lyre mouthpiece I have. Would that suffice?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2004-05-17 02:58
I have always liked the Yamaha better than the rest. Intonation seems a bit better and it feels more like a real clarinet. But, I am sure any will do for your purposes.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: contragirl
Date: 2004-05-18 06:05
Lol, no one will ever hear you. :P All you hear is brass, piccs, and percussion. I dunno why they even let us play... I guess to make us feel better.
My favorite: http://www.bandlink.org/students/Cartoons/talesbc/clarinet.gif
--Contragirl
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Contra
Date: 2004-05-18 06:40
Here's a fun thing to do while marching, play a completely different song and see if anyone in the audience notices. It isn't the best way to get on the good side of the rest of the section however.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2004-05-18 11:40
Brian:
I like older Vitos myself. They look better & the keywork feels better.
WRT mouthpiece. Everyone's right - make sure it's a good one. Why not just use the mouthpiece that you use every other day of the year? You don't need a special mouthpiece for marching. Just be as careful with it as you would at any other time.
MOO,
Matt
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: redkel
Date: 2004-05-19 03:25
As an Asst. Band Director, I can testify to the hardiness & decent tone of Yamaha, Bundy, Vito, & Selmer (in that order) horns that my players use for marching band. And as a player myself (who started out on a 1963 Bundy), let me say: "get thee a good open mouthpiece setup."
Another fun idea is to play alto sax in marching band. Since I'm virtually swimming in clarinet players and need the bigger sound of a good sax section, I cross-train/teach clarinet players. It helps our overall sound and instrumentation balance.
Feel free to e-mail me -- I usually have 3 or 4 horns sitting around. At least 1 or 2 of them are in good playing condition.
Have fun! There's nothing like the closeness of working with your bandmates to make fun music and a show come together.
Kelly
bhsband@1st.net
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: John Scorgie
Date: 2004-05-19 04:12
Brian --
Understand that there is nothing unique about plastic clarinets which would require a particular type of mouthpiece.
You asked about using your (Vandoren) 5RVLyre mouthpiece on a plastic clarinet.
Not only will the 5RVL work fine on a plastic clarinet, it will work fine on most any clarinet.
IMHO the 5RVL is the best all around mpce in the entire Vandoren line, and for most players is far preferable to the more popular B45 series.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fred
Date: 2004-05-19 11:17
I'm glad redkel suggested the alto sax . . . I always hate to be the only one beating that drum. If you don't already play alto sax, you may not yet realize how beneficial doubling on another instrument can be.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2004-05-19 15:01
Some time ago, a Vito V-40 became my "combat" Clarinet, as it was highly recommended by a couple of respected people. Since then, another was bought for backup, and most of my playing now is on those two V-40s.
Leblanc advertises this as an intermediate Clarinet, not a student instrument. It has the best intonation of any plastic Clarinet in my (hardly all-encompassing) experience.
The new Tom Ridenour instrument is getting lots of good comments, as is the new Forte; but there is zero likelihood that you would find either of these used at a low price. Both my V-40s were bought through eBay. Each was well under $100, including shipping and minor repairs.
By the way, Ridenour designed the V-40 while he worked for Leblanc.
Regards,
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
