 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Linda Howarth
Date: 1999-05-16 12:38
First, thanks to everyone who responded about the Rossini piece my daughter is playing for all state. Let me say, I really know nothing about the types of clarinets available. My daughter has been playing on a LeBlanc Normandy 4 since 9th grade (she is now a junior) and has been doing well on this clarinet (which I understand is really a beginner horn) but since she will be going to college next year and minoring in music I feel she should probably get a better instrument if she wants to play in the bands or whatever. She plays extremely well, has been in all-county every year, however on this clarinet she sometimes sounds "breathy" or "airy" - it's difficult to describe. Can someone let me know what the next step-up would be that isn't too cost prohibitive? Thanks for your help.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark P.
Date: 1999-05-16 13:25
The occasional airiness is more likely related to your dughter's mouthpiece/reed combination or embouchure rather than the instrument. It's possible that there may be some leaks in the pads as well, this is easily fixed by a trip to the repair shop.
There's nothing wrong with looking at used professional quality clarinets, they can be purchased for anywhere from 600-1200, depending on age, model, condition, and prices in your area. Buffet R-13, Selmer Series 10, Leblanc L7 are examples of good instruments that are commonly found. You could check with your repair shop and see if they have any for sale and they should be able to advise you as well you.
And lastly, if you buy one from an auction on eBay, be prepared to have it overhauled and to buy a new case and bid with that in mind and don't get carried away with the aucton fever. And stay away from ones that are not made by Buffet, Selmer, or Leblanc!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Drew
Date: 1999-05-16 13:32
Linda:
The answer to your question depends on your budget and how serious your daughter is about pursuing music. Here are some of my observations.
Intermediate vs. professional instruments - you can purchase a very nice professional grade clarinet for less than the purchase price of a new intermediate grade clarinet. I recently purchased a Leblanc L70 (vintage late '70's) for about $475 off of eBay. Used Buffet R13's go for $750-$1200. If economy is important, a used instrument is something to consider. A new intermediate grade clarinet will set you back a minimum of $1000. A new Buffet, depending on the model, will cost you $1800-$2500.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-05-16 14:12
I'm going to make a rather drastic statement here:
If you can't afford to lose the money, don't buy from an auction. There's too much risk involved (IMHO) for someone to buy sight unseen for a primary horn. The clarinet may be exactly as described (no cracks, new pads, no leaks, keys in great shape, etc.) and be a total dog. In almost every case you're not going to be able to get your money back.
Most music shops have used clarinets, and some may have been "reconditioned". At least here you can touch, feel, and play the instrument. You can check the intonation with a meter. In other words - you have an easy way to say - "it looks good but has all the finesse of a Mack truck".
Now, as your daughter will be minoring in music, I'd bite the bullet and get what I'd consider a professional clarinet - Buffet, Leblanc, Yamaha, Selmer, or something similar. Chalk it up as a college expense. Your daughter may also be required to have an A clarinet if she doesn't already.
The clarinet she ends up getting may, with care and depending how well she likes it, last her the rest of her life.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 1999-05-16 14:26
I agree that reed, ligature, mouthpiece and embouchure are the most likely causes of occasional "airiness". Many clarinets will tend to sound "airy" on the throat tones, especially the standard Bb fingering. Sometimes this is caused by accumulations of dirt and lint (and it takes only a little bit to do this). Cleaning the hole out can help a great deal. On some instruments this note is always a little airy with the standard fingering so on slow passages many people will use the alternate fingering to improve the situation or leave the right hand fingers over the holes. Clarinet design is extremely difficult and is always a compromise. Designers could improve the throat Bb note but then it throws other things off.
Some of the other notes played by the left hand can also have problems if there is a minute accumulation in the tone holes. Cleaning makes a difference here too.
To get a feel for the prices of new instruments, get copies of the catalogs from places like the Woodwind and Brasswind or International Music Suppliers (check the resources section on the menu at the bottom of the page). I don't have the catalog here in front of me but I think WW& BW sells the Leblanc Noblet 40 for about $650, the Noblet 45 for about $800 and the Leblanc Sonata for about $1000. Comparable models in Buffet, Selmer, or Yamaha should run about the same.
It's probably better to buy through a local dealer but they will tend to charge closer to list price. However if you have these catalogs in hand, many will be willing to come close to the catalog prices and it is worthwhile to establish a relationship with your local store and technician.
I would consider the Leblanc Normandy to span the gap between a beginner and an intermediate instrument. If it were a beginner horn, it should be price competitive with the plastics and it is not. The Noblet 40 and 45 are considered intermediate horns (competitive with the Buffet E-11 and E-13). The Leblanc Sonata spans the gap between intermediate and professional level instruments. If you start looking at pro horns, the Buffet R-13 is a basic professional model and Leblanc's direct competitor is the Infinite. These will run roughly $1800 from the major mail order dealers. Both of these companies also produce what you might call "premium" instruments. Right now, Leblanc is pushing its premium horns and ignoring its basic pro horn so people get the mistaken idea that they are more expensive than Buffet. They are comparing Leblanc's premium model to Buffet's basic model.
Used instruments can be excellent buys if you know what to look for. As one of the others said, plan on an overhaul though as many need it by them. The difficult part is telling the age and in some cases whether it is a pro, intermediate, or beginner level. Some companies changed model names at the drop of a hat so it's often hard to tell and takes some research to ferret out the necessary information. Also there have been acoustical advances made over the years so I wouldn't want to get too old an instrument even it were a top of the line pro in its day. Today's top intermediates are likely to be better horns than what the pros had 50 years ago. However they are still good instruments (I play a 45 year old Leblanc for example) and if you can get a good price they are worthwhile. However, in my opinion, most people spend too much on these an older pro horns. If I had to choose between a new (or almost new) Sonata and a 50 year old pro model for the same price, I'ld take the Sonata. If the pro model is under about 30 years old, it becomes a more difficult choice.
Have fun shopping. Try all the major makers (Leblanc, Buffet, Selmer, and Yamaha). When trying instruments, make sure that you are comparing similar grades, i.e. intermediate vs intermediate or pro vs pro.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 1999-05-16 15:36
Good advice above, it appears to me that you are in the market for a reasonably-priced pro clarinet, used but not more than some 30 years old. If a local repair person is also a clarinetist [or oboeist], I'd suggest asking him/her to help find a qualified inst so as to insure long-time satisfaction and repair as needed. This is how I bought my LeBlanc L7 and Selmer 1954 [BT?], am pleased with both. Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roger Harvey
Date: 1999-05-17 13:49
There's lots of good advice above. You can get a Leblanc Infinite from Tom Ridenour (who designed the top Leblancs) for around $1,450, with the benefit that Tom has personally selected the instrument and fine tuned it. I bought one from him unseen from here in Australia 5 months ago, and I couldn't be more pleased with it. Tom's website is http://home.gte.net/klarinet/ I can't remeber the Email address, but it'll be on that site.
Good luck, Roger Harvey
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 1999-05-17 22:23
Excellent advice in all of the postings above. So, here is my "poor man's" plan of attack on the problem. That is, going from the cheapest to the most expensive solutions apparently available. I have to assume that your daughter has a decent background in the fundamentals and she can hold an embouchure and adapt it as needed. It's a big assumption, but I have to start somewhere.
First, check out good mouthpieces. You'd be surprised at the improvement a good mouthpiece can make, even to a beginner horn. Intermediate and pro horns sound outstanding with a high quality mp. The investment is reasonable for the return. This could be considered a one-time purchase. Expect to pay anywhere between $50 to $150 for a good mouthpiece. The better ones may not necessarily be the most expensive, so do your homework here very carefully. Make sure your daughter test plays the mp until she finds the exact right one for her needs.
Second, a light overhaul might be in order. Expect the cost to be about the same price as a good mp.
Third, look at good used pro horns. See if your daughter has friends or professional teachers/tutors who can tap into the used horn market for her. I know of someone who got ahold of a gorgeous early 1960s Buffet R-13 that sounded better than my 1994 vintage Buffet Festival. The college student paid $800 for it. Drool, drool... (like my dog does smelling a T-bone steak on the grill)
Finally, look at new horns. Shop around for good mail order prices, even out of retail shops. That's how I got my Festival for a decent price, well below retail.
Whatever you do, if you have a budget for this purchase, stick to it. In the beginning the sky's the limit, but typically, the pocketbook usually determines the final choice.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
