 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: rebel1031
Date: 2003-09-03 01:46
Sorry to drop in and post without knowing you people at all......
I'm trying to figue out what kind of clarinet to buy for my daughter. I limped through school band on my serviceable Normandy and loved every minute of it Of course I longed for the Buffet all the clarinet group dreamed of.
Now my daughter started band last year using my old refurbished Normandy with the promise of a new clarinet if she enjoyed band and stayed for two years. Happily, she absolutely loves the clarinet and is pretty good at it.
If anyone out there on the clarinet bboard has time to email me, can I have your opinions on what brand and model would be good to look at. For anyone nice enough to write, she's good enough to get a scholarship to college someday perhaps, but not pro material<g> We don't need TOP of the line, but I'd like a solid intermediate brand and model for her to move to.
She's played the band director's Buffet and is in love with that, but I don't remember which is even the right model from all those years ago.
Thanks to anyone taking the time to email. I'm at harrison@direclynx.net
Kim
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Author: wyatt
Date: 2003-09-03 01:59
just remember that if she is going to be in the marching band you may wish to AVOID a good wood horn. it is just to hard on the clarinet.i
bob gardner}ÜJ
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-09-03 17:19
Hi, Rebel and a hearty Welcome! to you.
If you hang around a little while, you'll meet 'em all - young and old, other newbies and old timers (and not just a few... re-treads). To the best of my understanding, everyone is welcome here. It's always a pleasure to hear about young folks who're doing well in taking up music. Of course, we tilt just a little in favor of the clarinet section but making music is what we promote.
I'd like to also take this opportunity second Bob's suggestion that anyone should consider carefully how a ''good'' instrument will be utilized. This applies to all musical instruments. Lots of marchers keep a 'backup instrument' around just for outdoor use.
To be more specific, if you'd like to share your approximate geographical area, some folks might have suggestions of local dealers or repair shops in your region they'd recommend. My personal opinion is that you're always better off, especially if you're new to this, dealing with a local, established, reputable business than with someone on the other end of a computer hookup. I know some will disagree with me and suggest some very fine on-line companies, but, for the time being and in most situations like yours I stand by my conviction. In your situation, as I understand it, I would by all means avoid eBay - totally. While there are some excellent 'finds', there are also many heartbreaking hazards... lots of slick looking, 'reasonably priced' new student horn deals that are total JUNK.
There are several very reputable folks, dealers and repairers, who frequent the BB who might contact you and there is a Woodwind.Org Classified section that often has some very good deals.
I'm sure you'll get lots of responses so, weigh 'em, consider 'em, compare and contemplate - throw out what you don't need - it's not an easy matter, but I hope you'll find at least some of it helpful.
Glad you came by, Rebel031.... and, to your daughter - Happy Tootin'!
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: rebel1031
Date: 2003-09-04 02:26
Thanks everyone for the multitude of suggestions and welcomes!! There are so many I don't think I'll ever get a chance to thank everyone privately.
To answer a few questions and suggestions.....
Yes, I was planning on keeping the Normandy for her to march with during marching season. The "nice" clarinet was going to be for All-Region, concert season, Solo and Ensemble, etc.
I've had the same old wooden Normandy since I was in 7th grade.....many many many years ago<g>ummmmm23 um years ago <gads I hate to say that> I always heard rumors of cracked wooden clarinets, but never saw one myself. I took care of the old guy back in school, but he sadly lived under my bed after college and before I dusted him off for my daughter to play.
Yes......on the mouthpiece. I have a nice Charles Bay that a friend let me use in high school and then "forgot" about and I conveniently "forgot" to give back. My daughter is using that mouth piece.
I'm in Arkansas if y'all know of any good dealers around here that will give me an honest deal on a good clarinet. I looked long and hard at Ebay and then came here when I decided it wouldn't take much to sell a warped, cracked, etc clarinet on there. I would appreciate any suggestions about where to look. I'm hoping to save the full amount by next summer to pay cash......though realistically I'm looking at a used clarinet if I plan to pay cash.
Again I want to thank everyone for your hearty welcome. I was planning on dusting off the old Normandy for myself after I get a new clarinet for my kiddo and trying to get myself back into Community Band shape. I played in it in High School and the local one here is very active. I was hoping to work through my child's band books as practice as I REALLY miss playing......guess I didn't really know how much until I went to the first concert. However....my kiddo plays enough that I don't get a chance to practice! Maybe I can pick everyone's brains on getting myself back to decent shape.
Apart from Community Band type venues........are there other outlets for the ex band jock?
Kim
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-09-04 14:03
Hi "Rebel" Kim - Welcome from an Okie, was busy yesterday so was glad that Wyatt and Ron B responded with good advice. We have commented on choice of cls frequently, and it sorta follows a pattern of 1. keep a playable plastic cl for marching-outdoors use, and get a good wood cl for concert use, and 2. get a "good wood cl" made by one of our "big 4" LeBlanc, Selmer, Buffet, Yamaha, at least an "intermediate" model if not a pro model, and 3. there are many slightly-used, "broken-in" good horns available via our classified ads [here], in larger music stores [I think of Tulsa and Ok City], and in used inst. "shops", run by "repairers" and/or re-marketers, such as The Horn Trader in Ok City. 4. IF ! you can find some "skilled help" for EBAY "research", re: selecting cls, avoiding "scams", bidding, buying, inspecting purchase, you MIGHT find a very good inst at a low price. BUT, its a jungle out there! Much luck, others please help. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2003-09-04 14:47
Rebel,
I have a similar situation, daughter using my old horn, playing in college on scholarship. I'm still playing however.
I got her a begining Bundy years ago. When she was ready for a good clarinet she swiped mine!
My recommendation is to get a really good mouthpiece... maybe your Bay is the one, and get her a good teacher. Depend on the teacher to help in locating the right horn for her. It needs to be good enough so it doesn't limit her improvement. You may wnat to overhaul the Normandy for her to use until you find the next horn. If she keeps at it she will be adding that R13 or something else later.
I have found that my daughter has fallen in love with one of the horns (my old Evette Master) and refuses to be tempted by professional horns I have obtained in an effort to lure my old horn from her. No matter, the search for the better horn is fun and if your daughter doesn't like the pro horns you end up using them yourself (^:
Terry
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