 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: clariknight
Date: 2009-03-19 23:39
Next year I plan on attending a music school to pursue a performance degree (don't worry GBK, I'll be hopefully getting a second degree in someting more reliable as well). I've been saving up for about 8 1/2 months to get a clarinet worthy of a performance major, yet still I will need an A clarinet as well. Does it make sense to take out a loan for the A and get them at the same time, or should I wait and save up the money over the summer, and then buy it once I'm in school? Really, this boils down to whether or not it's a good idea to have an A as soon as possible in school or if it is ok to wait a little while. The school is a state school, so I won't be too far in the hole once I get out, thusly a small amount on top of it doesn't seem too bad (I know, "it doesn't seem too bad right now, but just wait until you have to pay it all back.") I really won't have time to work once in school, and so saving up for it over the summer means something like 30-40 hr. work weeks, which I'm okay with other than the fact that it won't leave me a whole lot of time to practice. I'm really torn on this one, hopefully somebody out there can help. Thanks once again for all the wisdom this board has!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-03-19 23:47
Find out if wherever you're buying it from does hire purchace, and if they do, compare their rates against the rates the banks offer.
Can you apply for a grant (or grants) to get instruments with? There may be some trust funds that are specific for music students studying full time on degree courses, in the UK we've got several trust funds (Prince's Trust, Musicians' Benevolent Fund, etc.) so see if there are any that are available to you.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sarah M
Date: 2009-03-20 00:16
I'm a student myself, and I'll give you my opinion about A clarinet purchasing. Personally, I rarely used my A clarinet in my first couple years as most of the repertoire for solo clarinet is for B flat. The A clarinet is mainly used in an orchestral setting (for the odd piece), or to play the Mozart concerto. Frequently schools will have an A clarinet that you may borrow (though it may not be the greatest, often it's an Buffet E11 model or lower, it still bridges the gap). In my opinion, if you are serious about music and performance it is worth getting a good model A clarinet (ie. Buffet R13 equivalent or higher). If you desperately need one, you could rent on or do a 'rent-to-own' concept (note, however, that rent-to-own is more expensive in the long run).
I didn't work while I was in school for the first two years of university either. I managed to pick up some part time work in 3rd and 4th year, working about 20 hours a week. By the time you are in your senior years, university does not seem to overwhelming in my opinion. You become used to the routine (ie. minimal social life and lots of practicing haha) and you can start to afford larger purchases.
Just some food for thought. Hope it helped!
-Sarah
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clariknight
Date: 2009-03-20 00:58
Thanks Chris and Sarah!
I will check out grants and see if any are available. My main concern with purchasing the A is that the University I will most likely be attending has a rotation of sorts for orchestra, so the best two players aren't the only ones who get to play in it. This of course doesn't mean I will automatically be playing my freshman year, but it could be a possibility.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jsc
Date: 2009-03-20 01:13
Talk to the director(s) of the ensembles. Ask if there is a school A or not. Remember, there could be others with out an A. As I look back, I think I would have used my student loans for instruments and such, instead of food. A few less trips to eat out could have been better, too. You can do a lot with Mac & Cheese.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ryder
Date: 2009-03-20 01:23
If you find that you don't need the A clarinet right away, then saving for it may be best. Loans end up costing a significant amount more in the long run, but if you need the A right away, it may be your only option.
You know, mac & cheese, pb&j and ramen noodles aren't that bad when alternated :P
Edit:
After re-reading your post it seems to me like you want to find work in the performance field as a professional and have another degree to fall back on just in case. In that case, having the A is a necessity. Just a little purchasing advice if you had looked into Buffet as a choice. The R13 silver A is $3,740 the Festival A (what I will have in less than a weeks time) is $3,870. That $130 price difference gets you a lot; You get the Eb/Ab auxilary key, better wood, metal tenon caps, and the register tube is moved up 3mm from the R13. The Prestiges have all that, just in a different bore. Don't ask me why the Prestiges are so much more. Michael Norsworthy gave me that advice so I thought I would pass it on. Just remember that the decision is all your choice, and nothing we say here is the definate answer.
I hope all ends up well for you.
____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"
Post Edited (2009-03-20 01:29)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jsc
Date: 2009-03-20 01:28
I've been thinking of writing a cookbook where the main ingredient is Mac & Cheese. Book II could be PB&J. Book III, Noodles. Book VI, Ground Beef.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ryder
Date: 2009-03-20 01:31
jsc... "The College Musician's Survival Cookbook."
____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-03-20 05:46
When I was in uni I think most clarinetists in the classical department didn't have their own A clarinet. I think only a couple of students had them. When someone needed an A clarinet (usually for the concert of the uni orchestra) they borrowed one from the uni. I know several bought A clarinets near the end (maybe last year) of their degree. I know one who only bought his A after uni, when he started playing in a symphony orchestra.
So I'd say you probably don't need an A clarient when you start university.
Re:
>> ....to find work in the performance field as a professional and have another degree to fall back on just in case. In that case, having the A is a necessity. <<
That actually depends on what sort of professional player you are going to be. This is most likely true for a regular professional orchestra, but this is only one out of many options for a (professional) clarinetist.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2009-03-20 18:22
I agree with clarnibass above. Most of the time you can borrow one from the school or perhaps even an individual who has one. Or, if that doesn't work, you might find a good used one from someone. I know someone who just changed brands of clarinet and sold his A so he could buy an A to match his new Bb. That happens a lot with professionals.
Another option is to purchase a cheaper A--like perhaps a Lyrique from Tom Ridenour. Good quality. Not a wood clarinet, but a wonderful instrument that is well made and sounds great.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-03-20 19:47
I get some students that come to Peabody without an A clarinet. I tell them that I will help them pick one out once we get to work together for a while. Choosing an A clarinet is more difficult than choosing a Bb because you usually don't have the large number to choose from and there are some different problems with an A like the undertone in the Clarion register. Most freshman at Peabody end up playing in the wind ensemble their first year so it's not a big deal. Don't borrow money to buy an instrument if you can work and save up for one, it's not worth the extra cost. Also, this way perhaps your teacher will help you choose one. We're only about an hour from Vincent Marinalli's shop in Delware so I take my students up there and try out dozens. Hopefully you're are in the same type of position. By the way, I don't charge my students for the time, I even pay for the gas and tolls but I let them buy me a cup of coffee. Good luck, ESP (Peabody/BSO) http://eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jsc
Date: 2009-03-21 01:29
Coffee is a universal form of payment that has helped me time and time again.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
