 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JohnW
Date: 2014-12-17 05:35
My wife has become interested in learning to play clarinet. She has played violin since high school and is a reasonably accomplished amateur with that instrument, so she's not starting from square one, but obviously a woodwind will be a different ball game.
I'd like to hear some recommendations for a decent instrument that will be resellable if it turns out not to her liking. I think it would be a handicap to begin with a low-quality instrument and set-up.
We are moving to the north Atlanta area in a couple of months, so will hunt for a good teacher once we are there.
Thanks,
JohnW
amateur adult beginner, oboe and cor
www.OboeHobo.com
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Author: locke9342
Date: 2014-12-17 05:59
Ridenour clarinets are pretty good and cheap. Their 576bc is only 1000 and is pretty amazing
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-12-17 06:14
You don't say if you're considering new or used instruments. If you are looking at new instruments than I'd consider the Yamaha 450 or 650, the Buffet E12F, the Leblanc Bliss or the Ridenour Lyrique. You could pay a great deal more, but any of these could be considered as excellent midrange instruments.
If you are considering used instruments, then the Buffet E11, again the Yamaha 450 or 650, one of the Leblanc prefessional level instruments ( now no longer made but excellent) or a used buffet R13. These are intermediate-level instruments and would fall into the $1000-2000 price range.
Don't disregard recent beginner-level instruments if price is a consideration. The Yamaha 250 or C100, the early wooden Yamahas or even the Selmer Bundy can play surprisingly well. Some might recommend the buffet B12, but personally I don't care for it. I would not consider any of these to be low-quality instruments. I would avoid the cheapies coming in mostly from China, some are excellent but some are awful.
Tony F.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2014-12-17 07:10
Buffet E12F. Vandoren 5RV lyre mouthpiece, or a Fobes Debut mouthpiece.
A box of Vandoren #3.0 reeds (blue box).
Rovner 'dark' ligature.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2014-12-17 09:00
Since she will be getting a teacher, you might consider waiting and getting the teacher's assistance with finding an appropriate instrument.
Best way to start playing is with a good private teacher. It saves one from establishing bad habits. A good habit takes moments to start, and with awareness and good practice sticks easily. A bad habit also sticks easily but can takes months or years of hard work to change.
Anders
Post Edited (2014-12-17 09:04)
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-12-18 19:48
Most likely equipment to succeed for beginners, IMHO is as follows:
Ridenour Lyrique RCP-576BC ... less than a grand and you can finance with no interest. This is considered a pro clarinet by many ...
MP (safe choice) would be Vandoren M13 and Legere regular cut reeds (start out with #3 strength). I'd stay away from real cane reeds until you get further down the road. (We have a music dealer here in central Arkansas that stocks zillions of M13s because a couple of teachers in this area highly recommend them ... and I play one too ...)
All should play well with little fuss and control problems ... you can tweak/upgrade as your skills improve.
Tom
Post Edited (2014-12-18 20:22)
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2014-12-18 20:14
John Sir:
Respect towards limiting the focus of your answer to that asked: a quality instrument to purchase, that will retain value, and presumtively not "break the bank," given the clarinet's drop-out rate, the answers above are all, IMHO, excellent.
But in your own best interest I can't help but suggest working with a reputable local person in the know to rent a decent instrument for a few months. True, you have nothing to show for rental payments once the instrument is returned, and true, instruments recommended above historically re-sell well if taken care of, but you'll be tying up more dollars for the right to own that which you may have to sell.
You may have your own personal reasons for purchase; money may not be an overriding factor for you, and I hold your plan in regard. I just thought I'd offer you the opportunity to contemplate an alternative.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2014-12-19 03:08
I'm going out on a contradictory limb here to suggest a plastic/ABS instrument.
No need to get a wood one at the start, IMO, if you've got a decent mouthpiece. I like the Yamaha beginner instruments best. Can't remember their model number right now...
Start with the mouthpiece that comes with it, and after about 6-12 months (depending on progress; check with the teacher) upgrade to a higher-level mouthpiece. Of course this assumes private lessons; it's nearly impossible to figure this stuff out without guidance!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-12-19 04:04
I would also suggest starting out on a plastic clarinet as they are much easier to look after and don't have the risk of cracking as wooden clarinets have, especially if it's to be played for a long time to begin with whereas wooden clarinets have to be played in gradually to acclimatise them.
The Yamaha YCL-250 is a very lightweight instrument as well, so that will be a huge benefit if she's already a violin player as these clarinets I think would weigh around the same as a violin (wooden clarinets are much heavier). The stock mouthpieces are well formed, o there shouldn't be any issues with them. They can be upgraded later on to a Vandoren or any other make - the Fobes Debut mouthpieces also get rave reviews too.
Obviously finding a teacher from the word go (and a specialist clarinettist/teacher would be the best bet) is the best thing to do so no bad habits are forming.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2014-12-19 06:01
Definitely find a good teacher right off the bat, both for guidance on instruments, mouthpieces, reeds, etc., and for learning the fundamentals of playing. I waited a year to start taking real lessons, and by then I had accumulated all sorts of bad habits that I've now spent much more time trying to get rid of.
Violin to clarinet is an interesting transition. My experience playing violin helped my clarinet playing a lot when I first started out, since playing violin makes you very aware of pitch and accuracy - plus you already know how to read music.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-12-19 18:11
A great teacher is essential, even more so for beginners ... find one that plays professionally, if possible, and really into the complete science of playing. A college instructor that really enjoys teaching fundamentals might be good place to look (most could use the extra money, too!) But, a great teacher comes FIRST ... before you buy any equipment. Don't be like me and have to undo a bunch of bad habits later on, due to terrible early training ...
The Yamaha entry level clarinet is a YCL-255 ... but costs more than the Ridenour Lyrique. The MP with the Yamaha, if it is a 4C, is not bad at all. I like the Yamaha clarinets and have owned several ...
I just think the suggestions in my 1st post will give the best bang for the buck, easiest to play with less fuss and muss. You teacher may have other ideas ... and you should go with their plan.
Any Vandoren MP, if not too open, would be good for beginners ... the M-13 and 5RV-lyre are a great place to start, IMO. The Fobes Debut is really good too, but seems brighter and harder to control than the M13.
Best of luck.
Tom
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Author: Rick Weng
Date: 2014-12-20 01:55
First things first. Get yourself a yamaha 4c mouthpiece with a 2.0 reed an a ligature. Set it up. Ask a clarinetist to help her explaining how to use it.
Tell you wife to blow the mouthpiece, to try to get a sound.
If she can gets a sound in a few tries, Impressive.
If in one day she can get a sound, great! She has a future.
If within a month she can barely got anything, well... well...
If there is no way she a sound, why not try a viola or cello
maybe be a sax!
It is nice to handle different musical instruments, better since she is
gifted with a musical talent.
If you decide to buy, and if you do not have a person that knows about
clarinet repair, buy a new Yamaha clarinet.
If you want to take a risk on ebay, wood Yamahas or Selmers are fine pieces.
I like silver plated keys. They do not rust.
Cracked clarinets and broken tenons are a Bigs NoS.
Expect to have to change pads, search for a good deal!
Better avoid Chineese eye catching cheaper clarinets. There are people that do not trust their qualities.
Good luck!
Post Edited (2014-12-22 17:21)
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Author: ErezK
Date: 2014-12-20 05:01
If resale value (or minimizing loss) is a priority, then a new instrument is probably not your first choice.
The most important advice above is to find a teacher that you feel comfortable with and get a few lessons. There are many ways to play the clarinet- most are wrong and will lead to bad habits that will be hard to correct.
A teacher will also be able to help finding an instrument in good condition or recommend a good rental option.
I would avoid buying an instrument without someone proficient enough to evaluate it. That holds for the big brand names and 100X more so for the smaller brands. An online seller's or maker's claim that "every instrument is personally inspected by our skilled staff before it is shipped" means little - the instrument can be defective and sometimes beyond repair (for both new and used instruments).
Don't let online reviews on musical instruments be a big factor in decision making. This is not like a digital camera where manufacturing consistency is relatively high and you can see some objective evidence that supports a review claims.
There is a considerable variance between instruments, even with the same model, and pretty much anyone can review his or her instrument, with the best intentions at heart, but with little qualifications or experience to frame their opinion in any context.
About wood/plastic/rubber Clarinet - A responsible child of age 11 can be trusted to take good care of a wood clarinet. Since you already own an oboe, I think you will be fine. I have nothing against plastic clarinets (my bass is a yamaha 221ii, plastic) but there are much more important (if not crucial) factors in what makes a good clarinet buy than the bore material.
Post Edited (2014-12-20 05:12)
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Author: JohnW
Date: 2014-12-23 02:34
Thanks very much to all for taking the time to write advice.
A teacher is certainly first on the list. This adventure will not begin until we have completed our household move in early March. We will be in the northwest Atlanta metro area, so any reference to a teacher there would be appreciated.
I found an excellent teacher right away when I began oboe (Dayna Fisher) and she has saved me a bunch of time and effort. The same case with violin when I was learning that. It's silly to try to teach oneself unless there's no other option.
All the posts are very good reading to gain an understanding of the nomenclature and some feel for what are reputable brands and models. My wife and I both feel it is worthwhile to have good equipment as it makes for fewer obstacles.
Renting an instrument is a possibility and we may go that way, but my one experience has been that most rentals are beginner quality intended for the school trade, and don't necessarily play easily.
Thanks once more for taking the time to help.
JohnW
amateur adult beginner, oboe and cor
www.OboeHobo.com
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