 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2006-10-04 02:06
It's that time of year in elementary schools, when hopeful children with stars in their eyes get their hands on their first band instrument. Our dealer provided my students, without my prior knowledge, with Winston clarinets. Does anybody have any information or background about these instruments? They are horrible to put together and weigh practically nothing. I haven't played one yet - didn't have one of my own mouthpieces.
Sue Tansey
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Author: Ed
Date: 2006-10-04 02:19
It has been about 5 years ago since I last saw them. A local vendor was renting them to students where I teach. I found them to be lousy instruments. Besides some questionable workmanship, I had a couple of big issues. When assembled, the top and bottom joints did not align properly, so your hands felt out of kilter even though the bridge was in line. BIG PROBLEM- I could not get them to play in tune with themselves or the rest of the section no matter what I tried, pulling different joints, different barrels, etc. I spent time with the tuner and played them myself with my own mouthpiece to no avail. Luckily, they stopped renting these to the district.
That said this was about 5 years ago, maybe they have improved.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-10-04 02:34
They are yet another Chinese-made "CSO" (Clarinet-Shaped Object). If they're not already on GBK's extensive list of CSO "brands", they should be.
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Author: kushamushawaa
Date: 2006-10-04 21:20
ist what i am currently using .. it cost me about 100 dollars in 5th grade. . actually not too shabby for elementry school .. but im a junior now high school still with it .. waiting for my selmer to arrive in the mail . shrug i guess the winston really isn't too bad for 5th graders . they need to see if clarinet is what they really awnt to play for now. they don't need to spend 500 or 1000 for a leblanc or buffet or anthing in elementry
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2006-10-04 23:49
(Disclaimer - I am maker of the Forte' Bb and C clarinets)
I have a fair amount of experience with middle school students and they do deserve a clarinet that is in tune, well finished, and sturdy. Perhaps the greatest need is for a decent student mouthpiece to go along with the clarinet. The job of the teacher and student is greatly enhanced if the equipment is not a deterrent to the learning process of playing an instrument. With a little bit of research a "good" student clarinet and mouthpiece can cost less than $500.00 which will serve for many years depending on the student's progress and their teacher's considered judgement on the need to upgrade.
L. Omar Henderson
Post Edited (2006-10-04 23:50)
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Author: DressedToKill
Date: 2006-10-05 00:10
For a brand that is of such low quality (I've played a few Winston Bb horns myself, so I concur), they sure do seem to want to charge an arm and a thigh for their low-C bass clarinet.
Anybody ever play one of these beasts?
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-10-05 00:30
>I have a fair amount of experience with middle school students and they do deserve a clarinet that is in tune, well finished, and sturdy.
well put, i agree completely.
i have taught dozens of middle school students , those with decent equipment progress much quicker
winstons should be crushed and used to fill pot holes. junk.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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