 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: garcia_bazan
Date: 2006-02-09 03:32
Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum...I found it a couple of hours ago and it seems quite interesting.
I'm studying my bachellors in music (composition) and I play the guitar (getting into the jazz scene) and I receive my mandatory school piano lessons.
My brother has a cheap plastic Bb Blessing Clarinet with a Rico Royal mouthpiece (which is extremely hard to put on) and I am highly tempted to start lessons.
What do you guys think? Should I just start with the cheapo clarinet or upgrade to a used wooden selmer (for example) already?
I would love to hear any comments or recommendations (reeds, barrels, mouthpieces, etc, etc) 'cause I'm totally new and uninformed in this clarinet business.
Also, for those of you who think I'm biting more than I can chew (guitar, piano, plus clarinet) please say so as well.
Thanks a lot,
Johnny
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2006-02-09 06:02
You might call the person you're thinking of taking lessons with and ask for equipment advice. If you can manage getting a better horn, get it.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2006-02-09 06:58
I'd say play the plastic one until you're happy you can make a half-decent noise. Then you'll be able to buy wood with some confidence. Personally I'd suggest a 5RV mouthpiece. A cheap mouthpiece can be an obstacle, even to a beginner. Equipment importance goes in the order reed - mouthpiece - instrument. And that's good, cos reeds are cheap and instruments pricey! Get a couple of no.2 reeds (they vary quite a lot) - the Vandoren brand is easily obtainable and a fairly safe bet (hard work but I think you'll learn more) - and give it a go!
There's nothing wrong with playing more than one instrument if you have the opportunity! Music is a transferrable skill. Clarinet has some odd and interesting theory around it (like registers based on the odd harmonics)which you'll be able to appreciate from the get-go. It gets more 'interesting' for players of other woodwind or brass, who tend to bring their own particular habits to the clarinet...
Welcome! :-D
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-02-09 07:17
I'd say as long as the instrument is mechanically sound, keep it. You can still shop around for a bargain-priced step-up model, but can take your time choosing one.
--
Ben
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Author: amys
Date: 2006-02-09 11:14
I just started playing the clarinet. I rented a Vito for awhile but was not impressed with its tone. That was most likely due to the crummy mouthpiece it came with. I just purchased Ridenour's Arioso student model, which is made of hard rubber. Sounds weird but it's a really nice instrument. I also bought his instructional book, which is very helpful in learning proper breathing technique, embouchure, etc.
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Author: corks&pads
Date: 2006-02-09 14:51
Johnny - Buy some cork grease for that mouthpiece. Sometimes people who are brand new to instruments (or found one at a yard sale) don't realize that the corks need to be greased to fit together properly.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-02-09 15:33
The suggestion to switch to a quality student mouthpiece is a good one.
The Fobes Debut mouthpiece is readily available from major retailers and even some walk-in music stores. It is a mouthpiece with a facing that is reed friendly and suitable for beginners. The Fobes mouthpiece can serve you for many years and is easily transferable when you get a better quality clarinet.
Have the Blessing clarinet (which, as you correctly stated is a lower quality instrument) checked by someone who plays clarinet to make sure there is no major maintenance issue which will impede learning.
There are many threads on this board about higher quality beginner instruments. When you are ready - it would be prudent to read some of the good advice which has been previously written ...GBK
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Author: garcia_bazan
Date: 2006-02-09 18:26
Thanks a lot to everyone...I'll do exactly as you guys told me.
First get my future teacher to check the clarinet, then buy a descent mouthpiece and just start off easy.
What about the barrel? I read that ppl change their barrel to improve their tone...would that be recommendable or just go with the new mouthpiece for starters?
And...in a while...when I develop a descent clarinet skill, I'll invest in a better one...maybe a Selmer :-)
Thanks a lot,
Johnny
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-02-09 19:08
garcia_bazan wrote:
> What about the barrel? I read that ppl change their barrel to
> improve their tone...would that be recommendable or just go
> with the new mouthpiece for starters?
Don't worry about the barrel. A different barrel will not change improve the tone, per se.
A different tapered barrel might (or might not) improve or focus the throat tone register and could possibly help with tuning issues (12th's, etc...)
However, many successful clarinetists play on all original (stock) equipment and do just fine.
There is no magic bullet (or barrel) ...GBK
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