 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Band Mom
Date: 2009-03-29 10:31
First of all I apologize for this question being so lengthy.
My daughter has decided to join the band next year. I am beyond excited! I was a band geek and loved every minute of it. Went to school on a full scholarship as a Music Ed Major. Then I got married and had kids. Needless to say, my life plan changed.
Now much to my delight, my daughter has decided to be in band. Due to a combination of Band Director suggestion and her choice, she has decided on clarinet.
I know most kids start on plastic student models, but I was very fortunate to start on a decent older wooden horn. I honestly think that gave me a leg up and want to do the same for my daughter. However, I can not afford too terribly much right now having a one-legged husband (whole other story! www.ourbolins.com).
I have found a few older wooden models and was wondering if some of you would mind giving me some feedback. All I have clarinet-wise is my silver (one heck of a sound!) and she is not taking that one to and from school!
These are what I found: Leblanc Artist, King Lemaire Paris, Selmer Alexandre Paris, Leblanc Normandy and a Selmer Signet 100. Anyone own any of them? Pros or cons?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Have a magnificent day!
Rachel
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Author: Band Mom
Date: 2009-03-29 10:35
BTW, I meant for my subject to read Compariosn of older Wooden Instruments! I am at work and as usual am doing 3 things at once!
[ Fixed - GBK ]
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-03-29 14:10
Hi, BandMom and welcome to the group!
FIrst off as an FYI.... you can edit your posts if you make a mistake. In the right-bottom corner of anyt post you submit, there will be a link (EDIT MY POST) that you can click on and correct mistakes.
Now as to general info, yes a better instrument can make for a more pleasant and successful beginning. It worked in my daughter's case, where she began on her mom's old Evette Master Model (ca 1969) and later added a used Leblanc Normandy Eb clarinet to her arsenal. I can't speak from personal experience about the instruments you have listed, but the Signed 100 has a decent reputation (the Signet Soloist is more highly regarded though).
Of even greater importance than the instrument is the instruction (provided the instrument is decent to begin with!!!) From that point, having a good private teacher is paramount. Not to speak ill of general school instruction in band area, but the teachers are stretched incredibly thin as far as teaching resources (including time) and can't devote as much attention to individualized instruction as we may have received when we were in school. I got great personal attention from my early band directors (1968 and later) but they had the luxury of being able to spend more time with group lessons, as well as working with individual players. So...it's critically important to find a good PRIVATE teacher who is good at working with young beginners. That will make a huge difference!
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2009-03-29 14:20)
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Author: pewd
Date: 2009-03-29 14:45
the biggest issue i see with beginners is having an instrument that is in good repair. i have many students fail due to torn pads, bent keys; the parents won't have the instruments repaired, and the student eventually falls behind the class, and quits.
the selmer and the normandy would be good choices for a beginner.
a better choice would be to contact the school's band director - many band directors have specific recommendations for beginner's equipment. many band directors want specific brands/models, mouthpieces, ligatures, and reed setups for their beginning classes - so ask the director.
whatever you decide, have the insrument you select checked out / repaired / repadded by a good tech - it will save much fustration later. most used instruments i see need a full repad - be careful when buying a used instrument.
hope that helps...
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-03-29 14:50
For what it is worth, the Noblet Artist is (or was) the standard music school equipment here. I have one (w/ silver keys) and like it very much.
The best instrument, however, is worthless when it is in bad repair, or ergonomically doesn't fit the player. And even the most expensive instrument will sound bad with a bad mouthpiece.
--
Ben
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2009-03-29 19:29
-- "I know most kids start on plastic student models, but I was very fortunate to start on a decent older wooden horn." --
I think these days we can't generalise like this and there are some excellent plastic and hard rubber clarinets around.
Far more important is the mouthpiece and feel of the keywork.
Steve
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Author: jsc
Date: 2009-03-29 20:17
What are you planning on spending? I recommend to my students Buffet B12, there is a clarinet with Mitchell Lurie's name on it, and LeBlanc came out with the Bliss. I've been wanting to get something for outside and it's been the B12. Recently, I had an opportunity to try the Mitchell Lurie and am at odds now with the B12. The Bliss is new but friends of mine tried them out at a convention and was very impressed by them and these guys are loyal Buffet people. Prices vary but as beginning instruments, they are a good option to have.
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-03-29 22:35
I was also thrilled when my son decided to join the band, and to my surprise, chose clarinet. Wooden instruments are often much heavier than plastic, and may be harder for your daughter to handle as a beginner. There are many really good plastic horns out there now, and if in good condition, you may find that you get a lot of mileage out of it. Also, if marching band is in her future, she'll want a plastic horn for that. My son uses a B-12, and has for 4 years, one of those years so far in the marching band. Got him a wooden clarinet for Christmas this year (9th grade) so he would have that one for concert season.
My son is a smart, responsible kid, and even he has left his instrument in the car overnight, left it in a school locker over an extended break, dropped his clarinet on the ground mouthpiece first (my good mouthpiece...ouch), etc. Middle school instruments take a beating, so whatever you get, make sure it is durable! That's why I say go with a brand name, lightweight plastic instrument and save the wooden one for a few years down the road when they have learned proper instrument care.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2009-03-30 00:30
I also have had some experience with several of the [generally] good older woods , made by Selmer, Leblanc, and others. Having bought cls[inexpensively], repaired/tweaked, and resold them to advancing students, I have acquaired a liking for the Selmer 100's etc as being an easy-playable, well in tune, good toned clarinet. The older wood Normandys, Noblets and some wood Kohlerts have also made good "intermediate" clarinets, often coupled with a plastic if marching is also a consideration. Much luck, get good advice, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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