 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jazzy
Date: 2000-12-28 16:16
I am in high school and have played on an Artley plastic clarinet for four years. Should I start looking into buying a wooden one? I've heard they're really difficult to take good care of, so i'm not sure if I need that risk. any suggestions?
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Author: spencer
Date: 2000-12-28 17:36
It depends on what you are planning to do after high school. if you want to major in music or continue playing that wood clarinet would be a good way to go. but if you are just going to quit playing then dont worry about it. they are worth the money and they arent really that hard to care for. you just have to be careful about where you leave them. no extremes in temp.
spencer
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-12-28 17:43
There are some first rate players in my neighborhood blowin' hot on old Vitos and other plastic horns.
Me, I just love the feel and response of my wooden horn.
A wooden horn is not indestructible, but they're still plenty tuff.
anji
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-12-28 21:11
Jazzy -
Artley clarinets are very basic beginner instruments. Once you get beyond the beginner stage, a better instrument is pretty much essential. That doesn't mean you have to go to wood. Pretty good plastic instruments are available from the "Big 4" makers, Buffet, Yamaha, Leblanc and Selmer. Go to a music store and try one of these and see what you think. At the top end there is the Buffet Greenline, but that's well over $1,000.
A better mouthpiece is also essential. Try the Fobes Debut (around $30). A good mouthpiece, even on your Artley, will sound a lot better than a bad one on the most expensive clarinet.
Wood clarinets will last practically forever with good care, but you can't knock them around or take them outdoors in anything but nice weather. The choice is your judgment, based on what you want to do with it.
Good luck. Let us know what you decide.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Jazzy
Date: 2000-12-29 14:20
Actually, I do have a vandoren mouthpiece that was a present last year. Thanks for your input!
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Author: Robert
Date: 2001-01-01 20:01
Ken you are far off, the top end is not the Buffet Greenline... in fact the Greenline isnt its own "Line" of products, its just if you decide to get like an R-13 in Greenline... which is a different type of wood... its like compressed wood that supposed to withstand temperature differences better. The top of the line in Buffets is the Presige which I think is like $4000, (I personally own a r-13 vintage which was $2000), the high end LeBlanc I think is the Opus (or is it the Concerto?) which is like $6000, I don't know what the high end Selmer is, I think its the Omega..... don't know the cost... and Yahama doesn't make that good High End Clarinets, IMO....
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