 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sovek
Date: 2005-08-19 02:56
Alright guys I need your help as far as new clarinet.
Comining up on my 5th month of playing it has come to my attention that I need to upgrade from my B-12
now before you start saying I should play a while longer before upgrading it appears I have a gift I have never seen in someone before. Freinds and complete strangers say I sound like I have been playing for some 3-5 years (one person didnt know I have only been playing for 5 months) infact its gotten so bad Ive had people say I should stand at a street corner and play.
Now I have a job coming up that is going to pay very well, and Im begginning to look at some new instruments, two of wich is the R-13 and the E-11.
But I dont play in any band and I do it more of a hobby (for now), now should I go for an intermediate instrument or should I go ahead and spring for the R-13?
My current skill level is level 3-4
P.S. I enjoy playing outside, and the house at the moment doesnt have good climate control.
Post Edited (2005-08-19 03:30)
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Author: jangjiman
Date: 2005-08-19 05:09
If you think you can take good care of your instrument, go for the R13. I see some beginners, who don't know the real value of their instrument until a few years later, and by then their clarinet is already in horrible condition. I would go for the R13 because I personally think it would be a waste to get an E11.
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Author: D
Date: 2005-08-19 06:35
Or, if you have access to a good music shop, arrange to go and test some instruments. Ask them to select a whole load of different makes and models within a specific price range, (and not tell you which is which) then when you have picked out a couple of good models, trial several of each of those. Then buy your favourite. There is nothing wrong with Buffets, but don't discount everything else without trying it. You might find something which seems to be made especially for you! Or, you might find that there is a wonderful R13 just waiting for you to come and find it. Don't dismiss second had instruments either, I bought a flute second (or possibly third, fourth or fifth hand) for a fraction of the price of what it should have been and that lasted me for years until it met with a nasty accident.
Have fun!
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Author: Sovek
Date: 2005-08-19 06:51
there is a problem as far as a music shop, I live in a rather small town and dont have access to many music shops, the one that does sell clarinets is well overpriced ($100 for a vandoran moutpeice). Bob Jones University is nearby and they might have something wich to tryout, or might look into e-bay, or just go for a whole new one altogether
And I by far do not discount second hand instruments, mine is easily third hand, but has been treated well, and I get a really nice tone out of it, one wouldnt think its plastic and 17 years old.
I thought that the E-11 would be a waste because I would have easily moved into the r-13 or equivalent.
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-08-19 13:13
You may want to read a recent thread on this topic entitled "problems playing in heat/humidity" (or something like that).
Since you "enjoy playing outside, and the house at the moment doesnt have good climate control", you could consider Buffet's Greenline instead of a wood clarinet.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-08-19 14:01
Yes, get a Buffet Greenline. Having one gift, you deserve another.
Bob Draznik
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-08-19 14:12
I'd still wait. You haven't played long enough to really be able to tell what is a good instrument and what isn't.
"now before you start saying I should play a while longer before upgrading it appears I have a gift I have never seen in someone before."
That only means that you don't know any good players.
However, if you still want to upgrade this soon, I'd order 3 from the Woodwind Brasswind and send back 2, picking the best one of the 3.
Local stores typically may have 1 or be able to special order you 1, but you will pay premium price and not even know if you have a good instrument or not compared to others of the same model.
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Author: Markael
Date: 2005-08-19 17:46
You say Greenville doesn’t have a lot of music shops? (With good selection and/or prices) It’s a short drive to Charlotte. Surely you would find some choices there.
You mentioned Bob Jones. What about Furman?
Also, David Blumberg mentioned ordering some clarinets from Woodwind and Brasswind. Before you do you might want to check out the current thread, “Who would you buy a Buffet from?”
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=190138&t=190138
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Author: Sovek
Date: 2005-08-19 18:39
let me clarify on that gift, most musicians I have seen have spent at least a year to get to the level I have.
Charlotte is a bit of a drive though, but I should look into it, and furman as well (I didnt think about it).
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Author: davedmg
Date: 2005-08-19 18:55
Before you buy an R13 you should try one of Tom Ridenour's Arioso clarinets. I bought mine a month ago for $800 and I am very pleased with its tone and intonation. The keywork is not as elegant as the R13, but the Arioso plays very well. Check it out at Tom's website.
www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/clarinets.htm
-- Dave
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Author: Tyler
Date: 2005-08-19 21:02
You want a super-straight answer? Get an R-13 if at all possible, or get a Buffet Festival (which is similar to the R13) if you can afford it. Try many horns of a specific model until one feels right and has an even scale and decent tuning.
-Tyler
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Author: Sovek
Date: 2005-08-19 21:44
maybe I should also clarify what Im looking for,
and rich dark tone is first on my list, something is really really good for classical.
next, the B natural key for right hand, easy to use without tripping over the C# key.
and a little cheaper than $2,000 if at all possible.
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-08-19 22:01
Cheaper than 2000... that means you can buy a 2nd hand Buffet R13 (or better than the R13), any intermediate model clarinet, maybe a pro line Yamaha, etc. Email BobD and Brenda Siewart-they are eBay people.
Good luck.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-08-19 22:22
The "little cheaper than $2000" is going to limit you to a brand new R13.
OR . . . a used professional clarinet of almost ANY make. Which opens up a lot of options to you. (And before you get scared, I bought a used Selmer 10G which, IMO, sounds richer, darker, and plays more beautifully than any new R13 or ANY other clarinet I've ever tried. Even plays better than the clarinet instructor's instruments at my college - well, his backup pair anyway, as I haven't played his primary pair, nor do I expect to anytime soon!)
My advice would be that, although you are confident in your skills, to make sure to get an extra ear (of the musical type) to help you judge instruments and make sure that you are picking out a winner. A clarinetist would be preferable, but if not, another person whom you can trust to listen to you carefully play each one, in various styles of music (upbeat, slow and somber, lyrical, etc.) and help choose which one sounds best.
Alexi
PS - And if you are getting that new job and can afford it, I also say skip the intermediate clarinet and go straight to a 'pro' level. If anything, for the better resale value should you for some reason choose to stop in the future.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: vin
Date: 2005-08-19 23:58
If a "rich, dark tone" is first on your list, I'm sorry to tell you that no clarinet is going to be able to do that for you. You are better off finding cds of clarinetists with tones that you like (to find out what really good is), get a teacher who challenges you (and can be helpful with picking an instrument after you get a more discriminating palate and recommending recordings), practice ad infinitum ad nauseum etc., and then practice some more.
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-08-20 01:48
Vin may disagree, but there are clarinets that are known for producing darker tones than others (ceteris paribus); for example, Selmer's Recital model.
But in addition to the clarinet's design, the player's ability needs to be developed, as vin said, with plenty of focused practice.
I've seen used Recitals for sale occasionally in the BB's free classified section. WWBW has a new one listed for around $3000.
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