 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dennis
Date: 2000-06-04 20:36
I have a 13 year old daughter who has completed 2 years of clarinet through her middle school. She loves the instrument and won several awards during this past school year. She is wanting to upgrade to a wood instrument. Can anyone tell me what is the name of a good wood instrument for a student her age, with her experience, and what is a fair price I can expect to pay?
Thank you very much,
Dennis P
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Author: Pam
Date: 2000-06-04 22:39
I am no expert, but I think others on here would agree in recommending the Buffet E-11. It is a good intermediate level instrument that is wood and in the $600-800 price range.
You may also want to check with her band director (or future band director) if she's going to the high school in the fall and see if they have a preference.
Be sure to keep the plastic horn if she wants to play in the marching band and use the wood horn for concert band or orchestra.
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Author: ron b.
Date: 2000-06-05 00:14
What brand etc. is your daughter playing now, Dennis?
Some composition (plastic or whatever) horns are pretty good (Vito, Yamaha and ...?) and play surprisingly well with a good mouthpiece/reed setup. You might want to consider that (mpc/reed) and bide a little time before you invest in a new horn. Prices range widely, from low hundreds to high thousands) and I'm sure you'll soon get plenty more advice about that. Gather all the information you can get and try as many horns as you/your daughter can before deciding. It's a very individual matter. Doing so well, as she is now, my guess is she's quite able to decide what works well for her in a price range suitable for you.
Also, used horns from reputable shops are often very good investments.
-ron b.-
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Author: paul
Date: 2000-06-05 15:49
Stick with the big 4 brands of clarinet, new or used. They tend to hold their value because the value was designed and built into them at the factory. These brands are Buffet, LeBlanc, Selmer, and Yamaha. There are three different grades of horn on the market: student, intermediate, professional. Yes, the Buffet E-11 is a good choice in the intermediate grade, but you should test play it against the other brands of similar grade (such as the Yamaha Allegro or YCL 50 series, Selmer 200, and the equivalent LeBlanc horn).
I agree with checking out used horns, too. Time your purchase right (Spring and very early Summer season) and a flood of very good slightly used intermediate grade horns can almost fall into your lap. Time it wrong (Late Summer and Fall) and you won't be able to find a single horn in town at any price. Shop around town and look at the "e-tailers", too. Remember, every dollar you don't spend is one more dollar in your own wallet.
Get help with your pending investment. Fetch the services of a local professional tutor and don't wince at the price of his/her services. They are worth every penny, both in helping your child learn how to play the horn well, and in getting the most out of your investment in a horn.
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Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-06-05 16:05
I've found that winter, shortly before and after the holidays, is also a good time to find used instruments. Quite a few kids who start beginning band in the fall quit after the first semester. Also, since many families want money for the holidays, and then need money to pay off the bills from the holidays, often holiday season is the time when the family will decide to sell an instrument that's been lying around, unplayed.
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-06-05 16:50
check out the classified ads on this board you may fine something that you like and in you budget. Many seller will let you try the horn for a week and accept returns.
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