The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dan
Date: 2006-07-19 17:16
I want a new clarinet, but I’m not sure what to purchase.
Six month ago, I purchased a Bundy Resonite, as well as a set of self-adhesive pads off Ebay. With a little work cleaning and repairing I was able to restore the instrument.
I went to used book stores, music stores, garage sales and such, where I purchased a couple beginning clarinet books (Standard Of Excellence, which I am sure you have all familiar with), as well as numerous sheet music books: Broadway musicals, Beatles, and Irish Songs. Does anyone ever tire of Danny Boy?
This is the first and only instrument I’ve play. I have no ambition to play in a marching band or perform concerts. I play because I really enjoy it. Now that I can read and play all the notes, I am searching for an instructor to hire for some lessons to insure that I am not learning any bad habits.
That’s the background information.
What I need is guidance in purchasing my next instrument. I want an instrument that is durable, fits my large hands, (On the Bundy, I invert the thumb rest to make it more comfortable to play), has a great sound, and will be worth the expense to re-pad/cork by a professional when the time comes. And, will accommodate my musical skills as I develop
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-07-19 17:24
The Forte' comes to mind.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: ClariTone
Date: 2006-07-19 17:26
I would recommend an intermediate model clarinet which would last you for many years. There are several models and brands to consider. Buffet, Selmer, LeBlanc, and Yamaha. I would however stick it out and wait until you get an instructor as he/she would most likely be willing to help you find the perfect clarinet for you. In the meantime, you could search the archives using the search function to research previous threads on this very topic to get addition opinions on the various brands and models.
Best of Luck!!!
Clayton
Edit: You can view the Forte Clarinet's website by clicking on the Instruments link on the right side of the screen.
Post Edited (2006-07-19 17:29)
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Author: sgb2007
Date: 2006-07-19 17:39
I have been playing on a Leblanc Noblet 40 clarinet for five or six years and it still works great. It is an intermediate level instrument that plays excellent for a beginner and that has the capacity to develop alongside a clarinetist's own developing skills. I highly recommend it. Plus it is made of grenadilla wood, which helps in producing a sweet, focused tone.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-07-19 18:51
sgb2007 wrote:
> Plus it is made of grenadilla wood, which helps in
> producing a sweet, focused tone
Are you saying that an experienced clarinetist cannot achieve a "sweet, focused tone" (your words) on a clarinet which is not made of grenadilla?
You might want to rethink that statemant ...GBK
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-07-19 19:15
He was joking.
Oh, you are NOT quoting GBK, you are quoting someone else.
Well, may she/he is NOT joking.
I agree the Noblet is a consideration.
So is the Forte or the Ridenour item.
For the purpose of the originator of this post, I would go for a decent mouthpiece first (a decent mass market one such as Vandoren or a Genussa student model, or Hite or Behn student model) and a well made clarinet, not necessarily of wood.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
Post Edited (2006-07-19 19:33)
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2006-07-19 20:36
The site for the Forte Clarinet is www.forteclarinet.com.
Leonard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-07-19 20:40
Definitely look out for an old Selmer 'Centered Tone' or Series 9 - worth every penny!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2006-07-19 21:00
If you're looking to get lessons, I might suggest finding an instructor first. They can help pick out an instrument that works best for you.
There are lots of great clarinetists in the Los Angeles area. I'd recommend calling a local university's music department and asking for a referral to a private teacher.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: ClarinetMaster
Date: 2006-07-19 21:51
You should get a Yamaha YCL-34. I've had mine for going on our first year, and I absolutely LOVE IT!!! It is made of grendilla wood and has wonderful tone. The one major problem I've had with it was my fault. It's been very reliable (for the most part except it's highly effected by the weather...). The notes come out really easily and it is literally my best friend... I wish you luck finding your clarinet (you can search on ebay YCL-34's are fairly common) Good Luck
~Katie
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Author: Dan
Date: 2006-07-20 15:17
Thanks for the information. It gives me a place to start search.
Dan
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Author: brotherich
Date: 2006-07-20 15:34
i'm sort of in the same situation as Dan, except i have a clarinet that i don't know what i have won by my wife at a silent auction- it sounds great to me and to my wife who is a very accomplished flute player -
i have scoured this board and remember seeing a post - i think from vytas - about my model of instrument - i thought it was a mongrel until i read this post
it is a selmer with wood center sections and plastic-like barrel and horn sn 292099
i live in rural texas and probably the only teacher around is the local band teacher - how far dare i go by myself before i become untrainable - actually i may be untrainable already - i'm a 64 yr old retired trial lawyer
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