 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jreed
Date: 2004-08-02 15:28
My daughter is a ninth grader, about to begin marching band. She currently uses a Buffet E-11. I am considering getting a Buffet B-12 for her to use for marching and would welcome comments from the list about its suitability. I would appreciate feedback on the B-12 or recommendations of other brands and models.
Many thanks,
J Reed
Austin, Texas
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-08-02 15:34
Some good info on the B-12 can be found in the archives. One good thread, with comments from a repair technician who knows of what he speaks, is at http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=31835&t=31835. Run a search for some more.
I've used a B-12 before and, personally, wasn't too impressed -- the alti ssimo F was hopelessly flat and some of the other intervals were a bit off. It could've just been the one I was using. However, some feel they're not the most durable of horns, which is what you need more than anything for marching band. If it was me, I'd buy an old Vito or Bundy.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
Post Edited (2004-08-02 15:37)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-08-02 16:09
I would narrow the search to either a Bundy, Vito, or the new Forte clarinet, which is impressive and may be perfect for what you need. The cost is very reasonable, too.
http://www.forteclarinet.com/ ...GBK
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-08-02 16:35
There are many inches of "threads" on this topic under "search". The important thing to remember is that it is a "rite of passage" that few can avoid. To throw a bunch of money at it for a new horn IMHO is not warranted. Your daughter might be exposed to a rougher element of children than she may be accustomed to playing with. Musicality and discipline seem to be secondary in many cases. It's a "citizenship" learning effort that many enjoy and some hate--but in many cases it is a requirement.
Were it my daughter (in my case my great-grandson) I would recommend an older instrument built like a tank to live through the experience without major cost. Try a Bundy or a Vito (as previously recommended) as they have a very good track record in this environment. Buy used if possible to avoid the tears of a broken new instrument when those "accidents" that will happen, happen. Now I'll shut up and go back to my rocking chair.
Bob A
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Author: Camanda
Date: 2004-08-02 17:15
I marched with a Buffet B-12 for my freshman year and the first half of my sophomore year. It constantly had to go into the shop to get pads put back on, and I did drop it once; well, I didn't drop it so much as it fell apart. It might be the weather where I live (Rhode Island), but it could also be the horn is not reliable, which I'm leaning towards because so many people have been dissatisfied with them.
For junior year and the upcoming senior year, I've had a Vito bass clarinet to march with, and the thing's built like a tank. Vito instruments typically are -- my first clarinet was a Vito and it survived a brutal fifth-grade band environment! And obviously, I agree with the above posters.
Amanda Cournoyer
URI Clarinet Ensemble, Bass Clarinet
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Author: pgporto
Date: 2004-08-02 19:47
In addition to all the good suggestions above, may I suggest the Yamaha YCL-20. I marched with mine for all four years in Colorado weather and it held together very nicely. I don't think they make them new anymore, but there are some good deals on used models, particularly ebay, if you are interested in going that route.
Paul
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2004-08-02 20:32
I used a Bundy from 5th grade up until I was 16, when I got my R13. I also continued to use my Bundy through marching band in high school and college. I think it did pretty well through the years. You can also get them for fairly cheap, even on ebay.
--CG
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Author: jreed
Date: 2004-08-02 20:41
Thanks to everyone for the helpful advice. Can you tell me specific model numbers for the Bundy and the Vito clarinets that you recommend?
J Reed
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Author: Orlando Natty
Date: 2004-08-02 21:09
If your daughter is used to playing on a Buffet E11, a Bundy is going to feel weird. I have an E11 and tried a Bundy one year for marching band and the keys felt much less responsive.
I suggest a Vito or Yamaha, as the key action is better. As for the model number for these, just go with one that is marketed as a student model. I think Vito is the name for Leblanc's student line, they might have a model number, but the name Vito alone is synonymous with student clarinets.
I played on a Vito my first year of playing and liked it. I also marched with a student model Yamaha for 8 years and it was very durable.
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2004-08-02 21:19
how big is the marching band?
mine is very large, and we have very few clarinets, so no one can really hear us, therefore i use some crappy plastic buffet clarinet that i dont even remember the name of that i used in middle school, and its hurts to play on it after ive been playing my vintage....o my wonderful vintage
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Author: psychotic lil clarinet girl (don't as
Date: 2004-08-02 21:54
I play on a B12 for marching band... It's not a bad instrument... One of the other clarinet players plays on an E-11 for marching band though... I'm not so sure if that is such a good idea... But plastic is lighter, and does not crack...
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-08-02 23:06
I've owned Vitos, Bundys, Yamaha 20, E-11 and so forth....i.e. all of them. The first question is, however, why does she need a different horn from the E-11 for marching band. So, the E11 is worth about $375 and a B12 will cost you at least $275. I don't like the purchasing a B12 idea just to cover the potential risk of damage to the E11. I bought a B12 new some time ago .....not a good investment. They are too light for one thing and getting the case open is a hassle. (so you get a different case... more money). If you insist on getting her a different horn for marching band consider the ones mentioned above...i.e. Bundy,Vito Yamaha 20...and the Forte of which I have no experience. The real problem is getting a horn that your daughter is comfortable with. Since she's already comfortable with the E11.........!!!!
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2004-08-02 23:59
There you go, with BobD's theory on price, I say bought her an R13 then use the E11 in marching band! Sure you will be putting the poor E11 at risk for cracking, but she'll still have an R13.
Yeah, I suggest a nice plastic horn like Bundy, Yamaha, etc etc. I wouldn't think it would be too much of an adjuctment to get used to, after all, some student models are supposed to be easier to play than intermediate ones. I guess. hehe
--CG
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-08-03 13:13
Haha contragirl with the R13 idea....I like it . The facts are that not all wood clarinets crack and that plastic ones can....and when they do it's frequently a completely broken off top section tenon. Having to play a clarinet you don't like is the pits.
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Author: William
Date: 2004-08-03 14:18
For marching band, a Bundy Resonite clarinet--used and as cheap as you can find--will do just fine. I would also recommend using a Legere reed, 3.0 (or stonger, depending on your mouthpiece) as they will not dry out in the out of doors environment, actually are quite decent playing reeds even for regular concertizing, and will keep on playing despite the minor damage that may (will) occur during those rigorus field half-time extraviganzas.
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Author: mamashep
Date: 2004-08-04 16:50
Or....pick a totally unrelated instrument! I chose trombone because after marching with clarinet for one year, I decided that the trombone players had all the fun. While I was sprinting hundreds of yards per show with clarinet in hand (back and forth in the backfield, rarely getting a chance to play a note, and knowing that when I did play no one would hear me), the trombone players were having a great time marching around between the 40 yard lines (when they weren't just standing there playing at a volume that could be heard).
So, I made the switch (for marching band only!) and have never looked back. The other 9 seasons that I marched through high school and college were very fun. Plus, I met my husband in my trombone section in college
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Author: kal
Date: 2004-08-04 17:15
I must agree with mamashep. Switching makes one a more well-rounded musician. Besides, if it's any decent sort of marching band (meaning the director and instructors have DCI backgrounds), woodwind players will be strongly recommended to make a switch if they want to march. I was a bass drummer from August to November, and a bass clarinetist from December to June. But if she really wants to march clarinet, I'm going to join the party above. When the nuclear holocaust comes, the only survivors will be cockroaches and Bundys.
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