 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: trailrider
Date: 2005-01-23 21:20
Hello. I played the Clarinet for 8 years (middle school and high school) 20 years ago, and now that my boys are getting older I am wanting to get them interested in music. When I asked my father about my old Clarinet he informed me that he had sold it for parts years ago. I am terribly upset by this, but that's another story.........
Anyway, I'm wanting to get a Clarinet to start playing a little on again. I'm not sure if playing the Clarinet is like riding a bike or not, but hopefully it won't take me too much to pick it back up again. Is there any brand/model that might be a good fit for me?
Thanking everyone in advance for all their help!
Tracie
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-01-24 00:02
trailrider,
It would be helpful to know what, if any, budget constraints you have. In any case, you could consider renting an instrument for a month or two to make sure that you like it well enough to continue.
The most popular manufacturers seem to be Buffet, Selmer, LeBlanc, and Yamaha, in no particular order. The Forte clarinet and the Ridenour have received favourable reports on this BB as well.
Avoid, and run from, any of the cheaply made junk commonly referred to as "Clarinet Shaped Objects", which can not be adjusted, repaired, or played in tune.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: trailrider
Date: 2005-01-24 01:21
Hans,
Thanks so much for your reply! I have been on the wwbw web site looking around a little. Their prices are definately better than the music stores around here!
I've also poked around on eBay (which I did purchase a Vito - but it's description didn't match what arrived at my house - surprise, surprise - thankfully the seller agreed to refund my $ without too much trouble).
Anyway, I believe that I ought to be looking for a good band instrument just in case one of my boys decides that they might try it out themselves later on in school, but there are so many of them out there I'm just more confused than anything.
Of the Buffet, Selmer, LeBlanc and Yamaha brands - what in your opinion would be the models they make that would be appropriate for me?
Thanks again!
Tracie
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Author: pewd
Date: 2005-01-24 01:33
>I'm not sure if playing the Clarinet is like riding a bike or not
sure it is. get back on and start pedaling again.
a lot depends on your budget, and how good you were in high school.
everyone here has a different opinion. e.g., 50 clarinet players will have 50 different setups.
you mentioned ww&bw - call them, phone prices are cheaper than posted internet prices.
fwiw, for beginning middle school students, the district i teach in recommends buffet E-11, Rovner 'dark' ligature, vandoren blue box #3 reeds, and a Vandoren 5RV-Lyre mouthpiece. and i'm sure many folks will now pop up and tell us that reed strength is wrong, or the mouthpiece is no good, or whatever. but that combination seems to work well for our beginners. there are many many choices.
E-11's are very good beginner horns. E-12's are better, R-13's are pro level.
perhaps a better answer would be to consult a local private teacher, or the band directors at your children's schools.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-01-24 01:57
Also, don't rule out used instruments. Chances are you'll get a good deal on a used instrument (but factor in a cost of an overhaul, about 150 - 200 dollars, maybe more depending on how much the repairman think he/she's worth). Stick to the "Big four" (selmer, leblanc, buffet, and yamaha . . . also, know that vito is the student line for leblanc and bundy is a student like of selmer)
If you want, also take a look at Amati (which I and a few others really like) and a new clarinet called "Forte". Doing a search on this board will reveal TONS of information. But basically, stick to the big four and you can't go wrong. The two that I mentioned have pretty good reviews, but don't have a big following yet since Forte is new and Amati recently redid their factory and has to get rid of a previous bad rap.
Alexi
PS - My other passion is riding trails too. So I'm there with ya!
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2005-01-24 01:58)
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Author: trailrider
Date: 2005-01-24 02:15
Paul,
That's good to know that wwbw's prices are better over the phone than on the net! Thanks for the heads up on that one:)
I wasn't a spectacular clarinetist in high school, but did manage to hold down the 3rd and 4th chair throughout if memory serves. The Buffet E-11, it wouldn't be something that you could take outside and march with would it?
I really appreciate your letting me know what is recommended to your beginners. I never really thought about contacting the school here and checking on what the band teacher recommends for beginners. Sounds so obvious after seeing it in print:) I will enjoy reading all the different opinions here though.
Thanks again!
Tracie
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-01-24 02:21
The Forté clarinet (mentioned above) is the newcomer on the scene.
It is a revolutionary step ahead of other clarinets in that price range. Many of the weaknesses found in student line clarinets have been addressed and solved.
It is also an ALL WEATHER clarinet - designed to be used indoors and outdoors.
Read my endorsement as well as those of others on the Forté clarinet site:
http://www.forteclarinet.com/
(Disclaimer - I was one of the testers of the Forté prototype and gave suggestions and comments. I received no compensation for my opinions ...GBK)
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Author: pewd
Date: 2005-01-24 02:32
>The Buffet E-11, it wouldn't be something that you could take outside and >march with would it?
i wouldn't. i usually get high school students a rebuilt vito resotone for marching. however some kids are ready for an r-13 by 9th grade (or sooner), so they march the E-11 and use the R-13 inside. The E-11 gets torn up after a few years of marching, rusty springs, etc; but its only $600... in any event, i dont recommend that you take a wood horn outside. i usually have them sell the E-11, buy an R13, and buy a plastic horn when they hit 9th grade (marching starts in 9th grade around here).
the only reason i didn't menton the forte is i've never touched one. i will say, i've never seen a bad review of the forte'. i suppose its time for me to buy one and check it out.
paul
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: trailrider
Date: 2005-01-24 02:35
Alexi,
I looked into some used clarinets at the two big local music stores....my, they nearly scared me to death with their prices. They were more than the brand new ones on the wwbw web site! So that was when I started looking a little more at the new ones on the internet.....then the varieties were almost endless.
I'd be thrilled with a nice used instrument, but after my experience with my eBay purchase, I'm a little gun shy with the used ones right now. I have thought about going around to some of the local pawn shops, but I'm not sure I'd be able to pick up upon anything that's not blatently obvious in the "oh no" department:)
Will do a search on Amati and Forte. Thanks so much for your input:)
Tracie
P.S. It's good to know there are more trail riders out there, with the boys being so young I've not got to do too much trail riding, but hopefully that will change now too that they are getting a little older:)
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Author: Mandy's Mom
Date: 2005-01-24 13:55
Hi Tracie, I'm not a clarinettist but my daughter started with a Buffet plastic student model (B-10 I think). It is a sturdy instrument and has a good sound.
Post Edited (2005-02-04 16:50)
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Author: trailrider
Date: 2005-01-24 15:13
Mandy's Mom,
I'm kind of leaning towards the Buffet B-12 which is a plastic. The E-11 is tempting me cause I never had a wood model and would love to experience the sound personally, but the whole idea of getting another clarinet is to interest my boys in music....it not getting dropped at some time or another by one of them just isn't in the realm of possibilities I'm afraid:) I'd just be beside myself if it got a crack.
In searching on the internet yesterday and today I've found a WEALTH of information - old posts on this board as well as clarinet searches on MSN. I even found Paul's web site when I searched under clarinet lessons! Wanted to let you know that I really liked it to. Very straight forward.
Thank you to everyone who posted to my message. I really appreciated all of them.
Tracie
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Author: Mandy's Mom
Date: 2005-01-24 15:27
You should have a lot of fun with the clarinet and your boys.
Post Edited (2005-02-04 16:51)
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Author: trailrider
Date: 2005-01-25 11:41
Terry,
They are 7 and soon to be 4 years. My oldest has just started official piano lessons the beginning of this month and really seems to enjoy it. Before then he and I just played around on the piano together. I think that is why he seems to enjoy it so much now.....at least so far:)
My husband and his family aren't even remotely musically inclined so I'm trying to do the best I can to expose them to music that they can touch and experience themselves. So far it seems to be working and that's why I want to continue with the clarinet:)
I went ahead and ordered the B12 yesterday. Can't wait till it comes in. I figured it would be a starter then I can always upgrade for either them or me:)
Tracie
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-01-25 12:59
Don't go local - the local stores will have an agenda and sell you what they need to get rid of and at the highest prices.
Call a distributor like WWBW and be sure to ask them for their **absolute lowest price** on the instrument. They aren't allowed to quote low prices unless asked (stupid req. of some manufacturers) so you have to take the lead on that one. As mentioned before, the stated prices in the catalogs are only the retail prices which nobody - but nobody pays.
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Author: Mandy's Mom
Date: 2005-01-25 15:48
Hi Tracie, your kids are at a great age! Have fun and let us know how it goes!
Post Edited (2005-02-04 16:51)
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Author: clarispark
Date: 2005-01-26 13:42
I concur with "sticking to the big four" because they're all pretty quality instruments. Also about the wooden clarinets...keep 'em inside. I nearly ruined my beautiful Noblet clarinet by using it for marching until I got a Vito Reso-Tone clarinet. Thankfully there wasn't much damage.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-01-26 20:13
I have to agree about the Forte. You can't go wrong with that and you'll have a new instrument with a warranty and an exceptional person (The Doc) to deal with you on problems. Great value.
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Author: trailrider
Date: 2005-02-14 01:27
Finally got my new clarinet! I ended up deciding on a Buffet E11. Sounds great and am having fun playing. It is a little like riding a bike:) I've got the fingerings down, but am having a little trouble doing the eighth and sixteenth notes. I'm sure that will improve with practice.:)
Both boys have found it quite interesting and enjoy blowing in the mouthpiece. My 3yo really finds the keys and how they work VERY interesting:)
Thanks for everyone's help and support! I really like looking in on the new topics every evening!
Tracie
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Author: Ken Mills
Date: 2005-02-17 22:39
Dear Trailider; Some clarinets are highter pitched than others. Just find one with the original barrel and see how it goes with your mpc. Selmers are higher pitched. I know. I had to fight for this at the market. But I whittled on the clarinet that I got and even used a needle file on some of the tone holes to get in pitch better. Ken
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Author: trailrider
Date: 2005-02-17 23:04
I took my first lesson today with a private teacher! Once I got over being nervous I had a great time and learned a few things.
My teacher had me get more of the mouthpeice in my mouth and using more air - sounded pretty good and right on pitch when we played some duets together.
I've got lots of homework to do for next weeks lesson so now my boys are going to get to watch me sweat it out through the week like they have to with their own school work:) They are going to love watching this I think:)
Tracie
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