 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: columbus
Date: 2007-02-25 13:20
I will be going to college next year as a music ed. major and my current clarinet is total junk. It is a Normandy plastic horn with a goldtone #3 mouthpiece.
Anyway, I will definetly need a new clarinet sometime soon and I know pretty much nothing except the some of the brands that are considered good ones- LeBlanc, Selmer, and Buffet. I really wouldn't be able to pick out the "good" clarinets at a shop or in the classfieds unless I looked at the price tag So my question to all you veterans- Do you have any advice as to where to begin my search for my next horn?
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2007-02-25 13:36
Well, you might start by talking to a good woodwind technician. One of my students, who had her horns worked on by the Brannens last summer, was privy to some very pithy remarks from them as to the "build" quality of different makers' instruments!
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-02-25 15:08
> Do you have any advice as to where to begin my search for my next horn?
In your wallet.
Seriously - every financial adventure starts (or should) with a budget.
- how much am I willing/able to spend?
- where are my non-debatable requirements?
- where am I willing to make compromises?
- what does the market offer?
- what seemingly unrelated things (such as evenings out or theatre tickets) am I willing to sacrifice in favour of my dream equipment if I must push the limits a bit?
Once you've determined these things you can approach a trustworthy person (don't forget about second opinions) and refine your search under guidance.
I know that this sounds very basic and commonsense. But I also know that 80% of all people investing money in a dream don't do their homework, be it for a clarinet, a house or a yacht.
--
Ben
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Author: D
Date: 2007-02-25 15:44
I would suggest waiting until you get to college and see what you need to buy and what you can borrow.
The longer you leave it then the better chance you will have of picking the instrument that will last you for a long long time because you will have more idea of what it needs to be capable of. Your current instrument has lasted you a long time - perhaps treat it to a full over-hall and then wait till you know the situation in college.
It might turn out you need an A and a Bb and have to buy them both. Or you might be playing mostly Effer and have to buy one of them. Or the music school might have oodles of money and be able to lend you anything other than a Bb.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2007-02-25 20:15
You do need to consider getting a good mouthpiece as well. Again, your college instructor might have some preferences in that, but that will have a more immediate effect on your playing than a new clarinet - assuming your old one is at least functional.
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Author: columbus
Date: 2007-02-26 12:52
Fred, I was also planning to buy a mouthpiece before the new horn, but I don't know where to start with that either.
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-02-26 14:06
Dear Columbus,
A great location for you to start would Vince Marinelli's in Wilmington, DE. He has a great selection of mouthpieces, clarinets, and all accessories. He mainly has Buffet clarinets and Vandoren mouthpieces, but carries a full stock of all models in those brands. He's also a very friendly and knowledgable person with good advice. I don't know where Blackwood, NJ is, but Wilmington was a good day trip for me from Laurel, MD. In fact, I just went there last Friday and bought a brand new Buffet R13 Prestige clarinet which I love.
My advice to you is to start by upgrading your mouthpiece very soon. Changing too much equipment in one day can be confusing. Also, it's important that you bring a knowledgable teacher with you to listen as you try things (especially clarinets, since they're soooo expensive!). Make sure you try a bunch, don't limit your selection too much. It can be very confusing, especially for a young person, to choose from a wide selection. I'm very glad I had a friend from the Naval Academy Band with me to help with my clarinet selection, because I would have been quite overwhelmed without her.
If you go to Vince's shop, the minimum model of clarinet there that I would recommend for a college music major would be the Buffet R13. He had a couple of very nice ones in both silver and nickel plated keys, but you have to try LOTS of them. And if you buy one, make sure you follow the break-in procedure he recommends and buy a cello Damp-it to avoid cracks. Silverplated runs $2495, nickel plated will be a little less. The model of Buffet I bought will go up by $900 next year due to price-fixing by the Buffet company, so you might want to purchase sooner than later, if you have the budget.
For mouthpieces, I like the M13, M13 Lyre, and M14. But, I have also heard good things about the M15, M30, 5RV Lyre. Don't care much for the B45. And, the Vandorens are fairly inexpensive as far as mouthpieces go. It's a good brand to start with.
Of course, there are many many other brands of clarinets and mouthpieces. You mentioned 3 brands of clarinet, but don't forget Yamaha. I just mentioned Buffet and Vandoren because that's what Vince carries, and I mention him because of your location in NJ. If you live closer to New York, there may be some nice shops up there that carry the other brands. Again, you should have a knowledgable professional with you (especially for the clarinet purchase), and go for the mouthpiece first.
When you go for the clarinet purchase, make sure you are playing on a good mouthpiece with a good reed to eliminate other variables in the sound.
Good luck!
Lori
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Author: columbus
Date: 2007-02-26 19:21
Lori,
First , I live in PA, unlike the thing says
second, I do have various shops around here that I could go to and try out new mp's/clarinets. I will certainly do this soon. I plan to buy a mp to hold me over to college, then get some more advice on specific brands/models when I talk to my teacher. Thanks alot for the adivice.
Another question- I keep seeing the lyre mps and the normal version. What does lyre mean?
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