 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Darkmann
Date: 2009-02-27 01:50
My 6th grader wants to do calrinets. I don't know anything about them. I figure for starters to stay under $200. I saw a unit Etude ECL-100 for about $120. Is this a good buy or should I be looking more at units costing over $600? I'll take any help. Thanks.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2009-02-27 02:22
if you buy a cheap made 'over there' piece of junk thats the type of results the student will likely obtain.
A buffet e11 is a good choice , about $750--$800 new.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2009-02-27 02:30
The cheaper the clarinet you buy the harder it will be for your daughter to succeed. Although I love Buffet's, I personally don't like the E11.
You should look into the Forte clarinet, sold at http://doctorsprod.com/
There are also many other fine beginner clarinets out there, but you should also make sure that anything you buy is not on this list:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=20&i=357&t=357
You might also talking to her future band director (presuming she will have one) and see if they have any advice for you. The best investment you can make towards your daughter's success is a good instrument and private lessons. A private instructor would have loads of advice for you, so even if you don't invest in lessons you could contact a great clarinetist and see where they lead you.
Good luck!
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2009-02-27 02:37
Although every online music shop seems to sell it, I couldn't find anything concrete about the Etude ECL-100, nor whom produces it.
" It features a plastic body with nickel keys. This gives it a large amount of projection and proves to be very durable. "
This bit of propaganda is definitely crap, however.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-02-27 06:00
If your budget won't allow for $600 to $800 for a new student-model clarinet, consider--among others---two sponsors of this bulletin board: musicremasters.com (aka clarinuts.com) and Tim Moran woodwinds (timmoranwoodwinds.com).
Each offers reconditioned instruments in a range of prices. You can certainly find a very good Yamaha YCL-20 model....one of the better student models on the market...for $300 or less. Its successor, the YCL-250, sells new for about $760.
You'd be better off buying through a reliable dealer or through someone known to the school's band director than taking a chance on an auction site.
And as others have said: Stay away from the sketchy brands. Stick to Yamaha, Selmer, Buffet or LeBlanc (Vito).
Post Edited (2009-02-27 12:49)
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-02-28 00:59
My son started in 6th grade with a used Buffet B-12 (cost me $150...2006). I started with a used Vito ($35...back in 1980!). Both of these instruments can be found online and in stores. I agree with Tobin and weberfan. A cheap instrument that doesn't have a name brand backing can leave your daughter frustrated. If your daughter has difficulty getting the instrument to respond the way it should, then she may assume she's the problem, not the horn.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2009-02-28 01:51
" You should look into the Forte clarinet, sold at http://doctorsprod.com/ "
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The forte is a very good plastic clarinet. It will serve her well also when he/she gets older and has marching band.
A very good starting option is to rent for the first 3 months from your local band music store. I'd stick with the Buffet, Yamaha, or Leblanc brand for a rental clarinet.
There are a lot of brands out there, and I like very few of them.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: D
Date: 2009-02-28 20:29
Second hand good brand instrument, hold their value for resale if she/he suddenly wants to switch to banjo and won't hold him/her back. Lessons with a decent private teacher are equally as important. Someone who will teach him/her how to practice as well as how to play and who also remembers that it is important to play for fun as well.
When your child does begin, try a few minutes 'proper' concentrated practice each time, and a few minutes of fun playing whatever you like. I've always been a big fan of distinguishing between what it feels like to properly work at the instrument and what just having fun is. (Work can be fun too, but not all the time.) It's easy for smaller children to do all one or all the other and not understand the difference.
And hey, best way is to lead by example. Take up a similar instrument yourself!
I'm impressed that you want to buy the right thing first time. Many of us (yes I include myself with an unfortunate saxophone) are lumbered with fairly bad instruments because parents mean well but are incapable of research. Your kidlet is very lucky.
Post Edited (2009-03-01 07:21)
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Author: jsc
Date: 2009-02-28 23:39
I've been recommending the Buffet B-12 to many students, even high school students on a budget, for years. At $600ish, I've since found another one for folks to consider - Mitchell Lurie! I forget the exact background info but I tried it out at my local shop and it is as good as a B-12 for the whopping price of..... $299 at my local shop.
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