 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Joel Clifton
Date: 2003-02-22 00:37
I will be auditioning for a music major after this semester. I have a Vito ResoTone with a Hite Premiere mouthpiece, but I think it's time to get a wooden clarinet. Problem is, I do not know much about wooden clarinets. There are so many brands, and so many price ranges. I get dizzy looking at them all. I've heard some complaints here about certain brands cracking more than others, or having different sounds, etc. Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions?
It's probably a matter of personal preference, in which case, do music stores usually let you try different clarinets? There's a music shop about an hour away that I could visit (once I get my car repaired). The problem here is, I don't know what sounds good and what sounds bad. I'd really need a clarinet expert. I may find one that I like playing, but it may sound bad to others, or it may seem good because I'm using the wrong embouchure or something. I also do not have anything else to compare it to, and I don't know what prices are reasonable for a given clarinet.
Any pointers, anyone?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2003-02-22 00:45
Take someone you respect and trust with you when you go clarinet shopping.
Pay that person for their time - it will be money well spent...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: msroboto
Date: 2003-02-22 02:51
To answer some of your other questions....
Yes you can try out clarinets. Bring your own mouthpiece and some reeds and a tuner.
You might even want to call the store and see what lines they carry and how many they have in stock. You will probably want to try a number of whatever type you are interested in. See if the store does any work to them before selling them. It is not atypical that a new clarinet may need some adjustment.
Happy hunting!!1
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2003-02-22 14:52
"The problem here is, I don't know what sounds good"
You need to extablish a mental concept of how you ultimately wish to sound--and the sooner the better!! Listen--listen--listen to as many clarinet performances as you can. Live recitals, recordings, orchestral, jazz, whatever. You have to first decide what you like before you can ever hope to achieve "good sound" for yourself. It is like taking a trip in your car, you first have to decide "where" you want to go, and then you decide on the specific route to follow that will take you to your destination. In clarineting, the "where" is your mental concept of what kind of a clarineist you want to be and what quality charateristics you wish your own sound to project. The "route" is the choice of specific equipement (like what kind of car) and the course of personal study (the roadmap) that will most help you achieve your performance goals.
But first, you have to know "who you are and where you are going." Clarineting all begins with your brain. If it does not know what is apropriate, then no piece of equipement is going to be of any use to you. It's like Gregory Smith, Second Clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, often says, "the farther the equipement is from your brain, the less important it is." So. bottom line, start listening and developing ideas relative to sound and performance style--then, decide "who" you want to emulate as a clarinetist.
A "short fix", as suggested by others, would be to have a knowlegable friend (one who has decided what is "good") go along and help you pick out your instrument. But in the long run, you should be able to make these decisions for yourself. Good luck!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-02-23 01:10
Joel, William's comments and questions are full of value. BUT:
" but I think it's time to get a wooden clarinet." Why, Joel? Why?
Is it a matter of want, or need? Is it essential at this time for your future growth/career as a clarinetist? Will your finances support what you have finally decided or will you have to settle for "second best" and then fret over it for years(?),months(?)??
Above all else, don't stifle your enjoyment but don't rush into anything!
Bob A
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Joel Clifton
Date: 2003-02-23 01:37
Right now money isn't much of an object, so I'm planning on getting the best possible (I'm kind of hoping not to go above $2,500 though). Unfortunately the place I was thinking about visiting, Mars Music, not only doesn't have much of a selection, but they're going out of buisness. I think that once this semester is over I'll go up to Woodwind and Brasswind in South Bend Indiana (five hours from here) and try out some clarinets.
I've been playing for about 8 years (well, since I didn't play for two years while I had braces make that 5-6 years), and I certainly don't want my clarinet to slow down my learning. I'm definitely serious about music, and even if I do not become a professional player, I still want a good clarinet. I can get through the first half of the third movement of Weber's 2nd clarinet concerto (I haven't tried the second half yet) with little trouble, so I think I'm ready to move on. Sure the Vito ResoTone and the Hite Premiere mouthpiece are good, but I just think it's time to get the best.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ken
Date: 2003-02-23 21:49
Joel, GBK gives solid advice. From what you've posted about yourself, I would go even further and suggest you not only secure a local pro (at whatever the cost) to accompany you when shopping but allow them to PICK your horn for you; especially with a $2,500+ investment and premium grade instrument. The last problem you need is to pick a horn that plays good to you now and gradually become dissatisifed with and discover its short comings as you advance in skill and experience.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: msroboto
Date: 2003-02-24 06:01
If you are planning on going to be a music major you better plan on how you are going to get a professional "A" clarinet as well as the Bb.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
