The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Newer Topic | Older Topic

beginning... again :)

Author: llmadigan
Date: 2011-01-05 16:18

hi, all! i played clarinet for about 4 years when i was a kid - then gave it up in high school because it wasn't "cool enough". now in my 30s, i've been fantasizing about picking it back up and think i'll go shopping this week

so, first things first - can i go with a $100 ebay instrument? the good ones, used, are going on CL for $300+ and i just can't afford that right now.

i've read advice given to other beginners regarding books, and will buy a few and work through them in order, to refresh my note/finger coordination

once i'm ready to pick up real music again... i remember my band teacher always giving me sheet music for the piano and having me play the melody. is that right? since my husband plays piano, can we play together that way, or do i need separate music??? like the sheet music for pixar's UP soundtrack for piano (our whole family loves that movie!). i don't think they have a book for clarinet....

thanks a lot!

Reply To Message

Re: beginning... again :)

Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-01-05 16:38

You can certainly find decent instruments on the auction site for $100 or less but if you're willing to accept an instrument from a lesser known brand. You are going to want to have any instrument you buy to be checked out by a repair tech to ensure it is in good playing shape so you should budget some money for that.

One suggestion would be to pick up a Boosey & Hawkes Edgware or 2-20 clarinet as these are pretty good instruments that sell for a low prices on the auction site since there isn't a lot of brand recognition. I have a couple and they play quite well. There is are usually several listed at any given time.

As for the piano music, you won't be able to play with your husband from the same sheet music unless you transpose. My guess is that you could find a copy of the music book written for Bb instruments without too much difficulty.

Reply To Message

Re: beginning... again :)

Author: llmadigan
Date: 2011-01-05 17:01

gottcha. thanks so much for the quick reply!

Reply To Message

Re: beginning... again :)

Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2011-01-05 17:22

I don't know how much the old Bundy and Vito clarinets are going for these days, but those are two other brand names that ought to be on your list.

S.

Reply To Message

Re: beginning... again :)

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-01-05 18:26

Beginner-level clarinets are dirt cheap on the Goodwill site -- much lower than eBay http://www.shopgoodwill.com/search/SearchKey.asp?itemTitle=clarinet&catid=0&sellerID=all&closed=no&minPrice=&maxPrice=&sortBy=itemEndTime&SortOrder=a&showthumbs=on.

Be sure to get a name brand, such as Bundy, Selmer, Vito, Buffet or Yamaha, and not the off-brand Chinese Clarinet-Shaped Objects.

It will be uncomfortable for a few days, but you'll get back to your former level quickly -- probably within a month. Welcome home!

Ken Shaw

Post Edited (2011-01-05 18:28)

Reply To Message

Avail. Forums | Threaded View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

The Clarinet Pages

For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.