 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TwrlGrl
Date: 1999-12-12 23:24
Right now, I own a used Selmer Signet clarinet. It is about 20 years old. Last year, I was 24th chair in the region and this year, I'm 2nd chair in the region. Should I keep this instrument to play in the high school band? Right now, I'm in 8th grade and I want to play in the high school and college band.
Also, do you have any suggestions on a clarinet that I could upgrade to? My dad said I could get a new clarinet for my 16th birthday.
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Author: William Fuller
Date: 1999-12-12 23:31
If you like Selmer's, you should try the new "Signiture" model. Others like the 10G (modeled after the Buffett R-13) or the "Recital." Since I play LeBlancs, I would recommend the Sonata as a good upgrade instrument for you. The Concerto and the Opus clarinets are the "top line" models. The standard that all clarinets are measured by these days is still the Buffet R-13, but they tend to be inconsistant at best and a good one "off the line" is hard to come by. Hope this rambling is a little help.
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 1999-12-13 21:35
When you get your new clarinet, keep your plastic (I assume that a Signet is plastic) clarinet for marching and save your new one for concert band or indoor rehearsals.
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Author: Captain Kirk
Date: 1999-12-13 23:22
Don Poulsen wrote:
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When you get your new clarinet, keep your plastic (I assume that a Signet is plastic) clarinet for marching and save your new one for concert band or indoor rehearsals.
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Yes, I also agree you should keep your plastic clarinet for marching.
In the way of clarinets I'm pretty familiar with the Buffet's. If you want a pro model I suggest a Buffet R-13. I'd stay away from the Buffet R-13 Greenline if I was you. I have tried one and it is heavier than the Buffet R-13. It's also made of wood composite.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-12-14 00:11
Captain Kirk wrote:
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I'd stay away from the Buffet R-13 Greenline if I was you. I have tried one and it is heavier than the Buffet R-13. It's also made of wood composite.
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Besides being slightly heavier than the R-13 - what is your point?
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-12-14 20:49
There are apparently four grades of clarinets on the US market today. They include student, intermediate, pro, and premium pro. The typical market price for a new pro grade soprano clarinet ranges from about $1600 to about $2400 or so, depending on brand and the retailer's (or e-tailer's) pricing structure. Premium pro grade soprano clarinet go from about $2000 or so and up, again depending on the brand and the retail/e-tail price. An example of a bread-and-butter pro grade horn is the Buffet R-13. The Buffet Festival is a good example of a premium pro grade horn (I own a Bb Festival). See the other postings for similar product and grade examples for other clarinet brands. I believe that the entire suite of Rossi and Peter Eaton horns are premium pro grade and the price reflects it (add at least another $1500 for a Rossi). I believe that the Wurlitzer brand takes the top spot of these examples as the world's most expensive soprano clarinet.
It appears that you want to shop around for pro grade horns. Make it a point to test play all of the candidate horns first. Even better, if you can get a pro to help you, have him or her check out the horn. It also helps to have access to both a pro tutor and a pro technician to help you get a new horn regulated and customized to your hands and fingers. This process takes time and patience, but it's worth the effort in the long term.
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Author: TwrlGrl
Date: 1999-12-30 20:31
My Signet clarinet is an all wood clarinet.
I also have some more questions:
Would a LeBlanc Esprit or Sonata help me or should I go to a professional instrument?
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-12-30 20:55
The Esprit is a professional grade instrument. It is designed to the same bore philosophy as the premium grade Opus and Concerto. It falls in the same category (i.e. standard grade professional level) as the Leblanc Infinite and Buffet R-13 but with a different design philosophy. You just don't see much about them as Leblanc is putting its big drive into its premium instruments (Opus & Concerto). They ought to be a pretty good buy for some one who likes but cannot afford the Opus or Concerto.
The Sonata lies between the intermediate grade instruments and the standard pro grade instruments. You might refer to it as an entry level pro instrument. This puts it a step below the Esprit.
Will an upgrade help you? Maybe but then again maybe not. The Signet can take you a long way especially if you keep it in good repair, have a suitable mouthpiece and reed, and practice diligently. People do tend to practice more and pay more attention to how they practice once they get a pro grade instrument as they subconsciously want to "be worthy" of the instrument. Thus they do tend to get noticeably better in a shorter period of time.
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