 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: lounoriariera
Date: 2009-05-13 07:20
Hi! I have just bought myself a Buffet Crampon B12 Bflat clarinet. I am a total beginner. As it is second hand it didn't come with any reeds, and I have no idea which type to get. Please can someone direct me to the correct size or type that would be suitable for me as a learner, and for the Buffet Crampon. Many thanks for any advice! Lou
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-05-13 11:17
You should now set up at least a couple of lessons with a competent teacher.
Probably, a reed like a #2-1/2 Rico will do for starters. It depends a little on the mouthpiece you got with the clarinet, but #2-1/2 should be serviceable, and they're easily bought at any store that sells band instruments. Later, or on the advice of a teacher at your first lesson, you may get better results from something else.
There are lots of brands, including others made by Rico itself, that experienced players prefer, and you'll probably get lots of suggestions here but little agreement on a particular one.
As to reed strength, at the very beginning you need a reed that is easy to make vibrate but stiff enough to resist being closed against the mouthpiece too easily. Reed stiffness varies for each strength from brand to brand.
An experienced teacher would be a better judge of whether a #2-1/2 Rico is the right strength and quality than you can be until you've gained some playing experience yourself, but at least you'll have something to bring to the first lesson.
Best of luck with your new (old) instrument.
Karl
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Author: lounoriariera
Date: 2009-05-13 16:22
Karl - thank you for your help and advice! Yes, I agree, I need to find a teacher - that would be best - but I live in Menorca! I speak enough spanish to manage most things, but a lot of the teachers here only speak in Catalan, plus clairnet teachers are few and far between. I am moving to Mallorca soon - I know I will have more luck there and get myself some regular tuition! In the meantime, I will locate the reed you have suggested and see what happens! Thanks again. Lou
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-05-13 16:59
Sorry, I didn't look at the location of your ISP. I don't know what you'll be able to find where you are.
If you order reeds online, the Ricos will probably be available almost anywhere and among the least expensive of the many brand choices.
If you buy from a local store, I'd say take whatever is available in a medium-soft or medium strength (you'll have to manage that in Spanish, I guess).
Too soft a reed will force bad habits or make producing any kind of sound difficult because of the tendency for the reed to close too easily against the mouthpiece tip. Reeds that are too hard will not vibrate easily if at all, and you'll be able to blow lots of air through but get little or no tone - just the sound of rushing air.
What mouthpiece (brand and model if you can see them) did you get with the clarinet? Is there a ligature with it (to hold the reed onto the mouthpiece)?
By the way, a really good, enthusiastic teacher could probably get a lot across with demonstrations and gestures - might even be fun for a lesson or two, if you and the teacher can find ways around the language barrier. But only for starters. Too much has to be talked about sooner or later - you need to understand not only what to do but why. Still, someone could show you how to assemble the instrument, how to form a basic embouchure (the way your mouth goes around the mouthpiece), basic fingerings, help with reed choice and such without verbal explanations. Do you play any other instrument? Are you a beginner to music or just to the clarinet?
Karl
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Author: lounoriariera
Date: 2009-05-14 13:16
Hi Karl - my mouthpiece just says Buffet Crampon Paris on it, no serial number. The ligature is metal, silver coloured. I went to the store in Mahon to look at the reeds - they have Rico 2.5 x10 for 25 euros!!! So I ordered some on Amazon for 7.25 british pounds and they will go to my mum's house - I am visiting UK next week so can pick them up then. I really object to paying 25 euros!!! 10 euros would be more like it.
My music experience is Grade 3 on piano, but that was some time ago. I took my exams at the Royal College of Music in London, and I got Distinction for all of them. I can also play the recorder (as can most people!) and had a go on an oboe but wasn't that keen - more through teenage laziness at that time. I haven't tried to read or write music for quite some years so I will have to refresh myself. I have quite a musical ear, so I hope it will come back to me relatively easily.
I will let you know how things progess once I have my reeds and have tried to locate a teacher!
Once again, thanks for your help and your interest!
Lou
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Author: clarionet
Date: 2009-05-15 07:56
Good Spanish online music store Casa Marti (http://www.casamarti.com/) in Mallorca.
Some UK stores like Howarth's or www.justflutes.com can send reeds with reasonable postage.
In Palma de Mallorca there is a Conservatorio Superior with a woodwind department, so you will be able to find a teacher.
All over Spain there are Municipal Schools of Music, I think in Mahon and Ciutadella in Menorca also, that are very good places to start out with classes (and quite cheap too!). Here the tuition is one teacher-one student for learning instrument, and if you live there you must know enough spanish for music lessons, which is not much.
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Author: soybean
Date: 2009-05-15 09:06
You might find 2.5 reeds too hard as a beginner. Try a 2 or 1.5.
~Dan
(Leblanc Bliss, Buffet R13 key of A, Yamaha 250 Bb)
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Author: lounoriariera
Date: 2009-05-15 15:11
Dan - thank you for your tips - I have already ordered 2.5 but will try the 2 or 1.5 if I feel that 2.5 is too hard for me. Many thanks!
Lou
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