 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: skool_band_mom
Date: 2003-11-21 12:49
My dd, age 13, has been playing on my sister's old clarinet for about two years now. The thing is a disaster--missing cork, missing pads, beginners mouthpiece, cracks, etc. We're thinking of buyer her a new one for christmas. Any of y'all have any recommendations as to what brand we ought to get, reputable online dealers, etc? She's a dedicated little musician who loves to play and she plans on including the clarinet in her future (when she's all grown up :-) plans. Any information would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Katy C.
Louisiana
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-11-21 14:47
Mark C/GBK:
I'm sure we can anticipate what the responses to this innocent query will be, so I wanted to offer a suggestion -- Could an FAQ be assembled for the most obvious questions from new members (what reeds should I play, what clarinet should I buy, paper or plastic, etc.) with links to relevant threads/posts of the past, or even better - prepared responses from some of the board's more illustrious professionals (Combs, Smith, Moses, Hattner, etc.)?
Just a thought for a not-so-lazy Friday.
Mark S.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-11-21 15:21
99% of the questions would be answered by going to http://www.woodwind.org - but that site's organization ... ah, leaves a lot to be desired (a nice way to put it - I personally insert expletive here ...) and is split up between here & there.
Thanksgiving/Christmas time hopefully gives me enough time to re-organize the sites. I've been woorking on a coordinated (& very fast) search system - that needs to be done prior to the re-org for various technical reasons, and of course everything takes longer and costs more than you ever anticipated.
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-11-21 15:23
Mark S.,
I thought this (what clarinet to buy) was already available at:
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/Beginner_Equipment.html
Perhaps you have something different or more elaborate in mind?
Regards,
Hans
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Author: fred-jazz
Date: 2003-11-21 15:26
Great news on the new clarinetist. Couple of questions on the old clarinet. First, was it any good originally, is it a good reputable make and model, is it worth restoring or turning into a lamp. Pads and cork are normal repair items and are not that expensive, and the mouthpiece is an expense you will probably have with any new intrument as the stock mouthpiece that comes with the clarinet is not usually very good. If there are cracks in the body of the clarinet though, give up and buy a new one.
What to buy? Probably go with a good student line, like the Yahama YCL series, they are plastic and very durable for the student. If she ever goes professional, you can buy the expensive Buffet R13 and DEDUCT IT FROM HER TAXES!! Use some sense here, but even if you can get one paid job, you can call it a business and use the p\urchases to get a loss for the year, help out the tax situation.
Where to buy? If your local store is not good at deals, go to woodwind brasswind online and check their prices, they are usually competitive.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-11-21 18:08
Hans, I was thinking of something front-and-center that covers the top-10 topics that keep spawning new threads as new people come to the group. Not just the beginner basics but the audition, pitch, Buffet, Acker Bilk and other leitmotifs that come back more frequently than an unemployed percussionist.
Mark C.'s going in a great direction. All that will be needed is an admonishment right up top to search the site or look at the FAQ before starting a new thread.
Katy, sorry to take your post off-topic. Short answer to your question is that if you stick to major student brands (Vito, Bundy, Buffet, Yamaha) from a large catalog retailer, or better yet support your local music store, it is tough to go wrong. Those companies have generations of experience cooked into those instruments, and they will all serve you well for a starter. All the nuances that are argued here are largely lost on a novice anyway. More importantly get counsel on a good student mouthpiece and decent reeds, find the whereabouts of a decent repairman for the future, and get some private instruction (not necessarily in that order).
Best of luck for you and yours.
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Author: Ray
Date: 2003-11-21 18:32
If she has kept her enthusiasm for two years while playing on an instrument that clearly needs repair, she certainly is dedicated! She deserves something pretty good.
I would buy her a Vito V40. It is an intermediate level plastic clarinet that plays very well. Nicely in tune, very responsive, low resistance, good sound, pretty tough. I play one whenever one of our bands ventures into the outdoors, which is a lot. I believe this clarinet can be had for about $450 new or around $100 on eBay.
I would also add a Fobes Debut mouthpiece and a nice Rovner ligature. She will have a good outfit that will last many years. The V40 will be useful if she marches in the band in a couple of years. By then she may be playing a fine wood instrument that ought not to be taken to football games.
You may already have that fine wood instrument. Don't discard your sister's old clarinet until you find out whether its worth repairing. It may be a diamond in the rough.
Best regards,
Ray
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2003-11-22 21:40
It would probably help if you told us what you already have and how much you can spend. The information at the "what to buy for a beginner" section is not entirely applicable here, in my opinion, because you are really talking about a "step-up" instrument for a fairly committed player rather than something for an absolute beginner whose odds of continuing are somewhat lower. If your daughter will likely be playing outdoors in a marching band, you will eventually want two instruments -- one to play outdoors in cold/wet weather and a "good" one that doesn't go outdoors in bad weather.
For your daughter's Christmas present, you have two options -- plastic and wood. Whichever way you go, I would recommend you opt for an instrument from one of the big 4 makers -- Buffet, Leblanc, Selmer or Yamaha.
For a step-up instrument, if you choose plastic, I would agree with Ray and put the Leblanc Vito V40 at the top of the list. Like him, I use one as my bad-weather horn. It currently sells for around $425 (plus shipping from the mail-order/online sellers) and, at least to me, feels more like a wooden instrument (i.e., sturdier) than any of the other plastics. If that is outside your price range, a slightly lower-cost option that should also give good service, is the Buffet B12. It currently sells for around $360. Others will undoubtedly disagree with me but I personally don't like Selmer student clarinets (or the other Leblancs for that matter). I haven't played a Yamaha.
Assuming your current instrument is not a professional instrument in disguise, however, I think the best strategy might be to purchase a wood Buffet E11 as the "good" model and have the old instrument fixed up as the "marching band" horn. From your description, I infer that your daughter has been playing a wooden instrument for 2 years and might view, however incorrectly, a plastic instrument as a step down. A Buffet E11 sells for about $580 and should be more than enough clarinet until she is ready for a professional model. For most students, it is enough clarinet to get through high school and recreational playing in college and beyond. If she really does take off and progresses to a professional model, either as an outstanding high school student or a college music major, it will serve as a good backup. Leblanc, Selmer and Yamaha also have competing instruments. I have played Leblanc and Selmer wooden student clarinets and, for me, they don't come close in "fit and finish" to the E11. I have not played a Yamaha but, in general, I like their professional clarinets (I own two). Buffets, however, seem to hold their value better than instruments from the other three big makers.
Others on the board will probably disagree with me but, since this is a Christmas present, I would recommend buying a new one if you can swing it. Buying used can get you more clarinet for your money in the long run but IMHO there's something special about that first new clarinet.
I also agree with Ray that, if your daughter does not already have a decent mouthpiece, a Fobes Debut would be a good idea (around $27).
Best regards,
jnk
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