The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dave Geckle
Date: 2000-05-22 11:38
I'm a middle/High school band director at a new job in an inner city school. I've found that most of the high school clarinetists are playing on the same clarinet they started on in 4th grade! What intermediate clarinet and mouthpiece would you suggest for someone that may be beyond a basic student model?
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Author: drew
Date: 2000-05-22 12:56
If you are teaching in the inner city, I'm guessing that financial considerations may be the biggest limitation that your students are facing.
The most important component of the clarinet is the mouthpiece. Make sure your students have one in good condition (no chips or scratches on "facing", tip, rails, table). Ther are a few good mouthpieces that can be bought for under $30, the field becomes MUCH larger with a budget of $100. Don't neglect good ligature, reeds, mouthpiece cap. A good mouthpiece "setup" will have the most impact on sound.
Regarding the instruments, make sure they are in good repair. If new ones can be purchased, I'd recommend the Buffet E-11, which can be purchased new for about $600. There are others, of course, but the Buffet gives good value.
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-05-22 14:38
lif you will send me you address I will donate a couple of mouthpieces to you.
bgardner@pacific.net
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Author: J. Butler
Date: 2000-05-22 18:06
Dave,
The E-11 mentioned above is a good instrument. I also like the Yamaha YCL-34.The newer E-11's have silver plated keys which adds a little extra to the looks of the instrument. I have found that the plating on these instruments is pretty thin however and will probably wear through in shorter time.
Fobes makes a student mouthpiece. I believe he calls it a "Debut" and sell for around $30. Check it out.
J.Butler
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Author: earl thomas
Date: 2000-05-22 19:36
Hi: If the student's parents can afford it, I'd seriously recommend the Vandoren 5RV Lyre with either the Bonade standard or inverted ligature or a Harrison-Hurtz. Luyben ligatures work well and are probably more reasonable, but not nearly as good. As for the instrument, any student line Buffet would work fine - preferrably the Evette-Schaefer, either wood or plastic. There are plenty of used ones out there, I'm sure. The E-11 or D-12 are OK, but I bet you could find an Evette-Schaefer or two for sale reasonable, though having them reconditioned could be a problem. I think I read here on Sneezy that the E's D's and B's are made for Buffet in Germany. I'd stay away from Bundy, especially for young, small-hand/finger pupils. Lots of luck. Your interest in your pupils will reap big rewards. Sincerely, E. Thomas
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Author: Contragirl
Date: 2000-05-22 20:29
For mouthpieces, I'd consider the B45 (better for Buffet clarinets) and the 5RV lyre. But there are other things that you can also consider, like ligatures and reeds. Sometimes cheap ligatures are not good for high quality mouthpieces. You want something that does not squeeze the reed to the mouthpiece, but that holds it in place and let's the reed vibrate. Also, good reeds help the sound. These are considerations for the "committed" students with money.
Usually, wooden clarinets by Buffet, LeBlanc, and Selmer are better quality than plastic. Wooden clarinets have a darker, prettier sound, even though they are more explensive than plastic.
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Author: Kim
Date: 2000-05-22 23:59
I would recommend the E-11. It is a good intermediate horn. I would also recommend a 5RV or B45 mouthpiece. As for ligatures, I recommend a Luyben ligature. I have a Bonade, but when I play it, it has a very wet feel to it. The Luyben seems to dampen the reed a little more.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-05-23 05:58
For the budget constrained, I would recommend the Pyne poly-crystal. I got one for my daughter for Xmas and noticed a big improvement in her tone. So did the rest of section. She gave her (correction, MY) 5RV away to one of the kids at school.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2000-05-23 07:12
Hite Premier is another choice as an intemediate 'student' mouthpiece.
J&D Hite is one of the sponcers for this Phorum,and you can find their URL at this BBS.
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