 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Roger Harvey
Date: 1999-01-24 00:40
I am 56 years old. Started to learn clarinet a year ago with Yamaha platsic instrument. Boughta LeBlanc Noblet 45 six months ago, and like it. There's a very good offer on LeBlanc Infinite from the WW & the BW. Although I doubt I'll ever be a very good player, I think I would enjoy handling and playing such a quality instrument. Would Ibe wasting my money? I have to buy blind, by mail order from down here in darkest Tasmania, but the Noblet didn't have any problems when it arrived.
Regards,
Roger Harvey
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-01-24 00:51
Roger,
It's a bit of a pickle, isn't it? The Noblet is a fine intermediate instrument, but if you can easily afford the Infinite. then you're probably going to regret not getting it - the old "what if?" game we all play in our minds :^)
Normally I'd recommend against getting an instrument like this so soon, but I think you have a special case here.
Nice to see people from all over coming by. I know we have some regulars from Oz & NZ, but I didn't know we had anyone from Tasmania.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jo
Date: 1999-01-24 00:53
Go for it Roger . Buy the best horn you can find and enjoy the fact you are playing a fine instrument. The fact that your not ever going to be good is is in someone elses ears not yours, Every time you learn a new tune or better an old, everytime you pick up your new friend and play a Christmas tune to your granchildren a thousand miles away a fine instrument pays you back an immeasurable amount. If you didn't know that inherently, you wouldn't even pose such a question.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ginny
Date: 1999-01-24 00:59
I was is a similar situation. I was playing (regularly) for about the last 8 months, and decided to buy a better instrument. I had two 'throw away' clarinets, so bad people just gave them to me.
I got a Buffet Festival, I LOVE IT. It is the nicest thing I have ever owned. I was able to try out a bunch of Buffets in Oakland CA, a fairly long drive for me.
I will never out grown this instrument and I will never play it as it deserves, but I do not regret having gotten it. It sounds so pretty.
Ginny
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jo
Date: 1999-01-24 01:07
Ginny why did you decide on a Festival?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Albert
Date: 1999-01-24 05:38
When you get that Infinite, you'll think that you're playing better. You'll have all of the confidence in the world. So go for it! May I suggest getting the silverplate? It's so pretty, and it'll give you something more to admire. Are you going to trade in that Noblet for the Infinite? If you do, it won't feel like your spending all that much more for the better horn. Have fun! Now I want one too! Hey! Could you get me...nevermind. :o)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jo
Date: 1999-01-24 16:31
Roger,
It seems the general consensus is to move on your instinct. Please be sure to keep us informed of your progress. I personally wouldn't trade in the old horn, you,ll have to have something to play while you slowly break in your new one.
Staying in tune
JoJo
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Albert
Date: 1999-01-25 02:29
He does have that old platic Yamaha, so there's no problem in trading in the Noblet 45.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roger Harvey
Date: 1999-01-25 07:26
Thanks Mark, Jo, Ginny and Albert for helping me to decide whether or not to go for the Infinite.
I think I will go for it. I've already had a quotation from Tom Ridenour which looks pretty attractive. All I have to do now is sweet-talk Lyn, my wife!
I've advertised my Noblet 45 here in Hobart, Tasmania, and with a bit of luck I'll be sending Tom my order in a few days.
It's good to know that so many people are keen to help those of us who play purely for personal pleasure with no expectation of reaching great heights musically; but we do get a great deal of satusfaction from each little improvement we achieve.
Many thanks to you all.
Roger Harvey
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jo
Date: 1999-01-25 19:43
Thanks for adding a Tasmanian taint to the BB Roger. Keep us apprised of your progress and let us know a little about your digs down south.
Jo
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 1999-01-25 19:59
I also upgraded from a Yamaha YCL52 intermediate wood Bb soprano clarinet to a Buffet Festival Bb soprano clarinet in the premium pro-grade class. I've had the Festival for a couple of years now and I wouldn't trade the world for it. I'll always be an adult novice, but I continue to sound better and play better with each practice session. The Festival is right there with me. It's a wonderfully smooth instrument with a superb tone. I feel that I'm handling more of a work of art than a musical instrument. I enjoy learning the art of music on such a fine instrument.
For me, the upgrade wasn't necessary, but how many other folks do you know get the best equipment for their hobby (frequently called a "second passion")? Golfers get the best club sets they can find. I've seen some very fancy boats and camping gear for weekend sportsmen, etc. So, why not go for it? You will be richly rewarded for significantly better tone, vastly improved technique (the pro-grade horns demand crisp technique), on-the-mark tuning practically guaranteed for every note you can play, and much more. If music is your second passion and your source of pleasure in life, and you have the money for it, then enjoy it to the maximum you can. Find the best music you can play, secure the services of a professional clarinetist as a tutor, and fetch the best horn you can. Then, work very hard to make the magic of music happen. Practice frequently and strive to attain perfection. In the end, you will be richer for the experience. I know I am.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 1999-01-25 20:03
JoJo has a good point. There is a significant transition from an intermediate grade horn to a pro-grade or premium pro-grade horn. There is also a break-in period for a brand new horn that needs to be followed. Keep these points in mind when as you are considering the upgrade.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ginny
Date: 1999-01-26 05:40
jo wrote:
-------------------------------
Ginny why did you decide on a Festival?
Hi, jo
I played a bunch of R-13s and 3 Festivals, on two different days. I decided on Buffet, because it seems so popular. I simply sounded way better on the Festival than on any of the R 13's, new or used. I took my crystal mouthpiece and my dear husband and spent hours playing several horns. I did not yearn for the extra eb key, though it comes in handy.
Ginny
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fred McKenzie
Date: 1999-01-28 11:00
Roger Harvey wrote:
-------------------------------
I have to buy blind, by mail order from down here in darkest Tasmania
Roger-
If there aren't any good music stores, are there any repair people? If not, you might also order some instruction books on instrument repair, and then a supply of pads, corks, et cetera.
Fred
<a href=http://www.dreamnetstudios.com/music/mmb/index.htm>MMB</a>
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
