 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Marie from New York
Date: 2011-07-15 01:53
I have a promising (fell in love with the instrument at the first lesson, not easily frustrated, bright) 4th grade beginner who is very, very petite. Because of the weight of the instrument, she is, after two lessons, showing some very convoluted ways of holding it, not to mention covering the keys, which she has actually manged to do, though we've only gotten to low 'c'. I'd love to find her an Eb to play for a year or two until she is bigger. This worked well for me when I was a 4th-grader. I just played the alto sax parts. I have considered buying a decent horn and renting it to her myself for a year or two, since I wouldn't mind having an Eb, myself. I saw the VERY inexpensive Venus Eb online but I'm guessing it is made in China and won't even stand much repair. Plus, I don't really want to undercut companies that are making good instruments.
Advice, please?
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-07-15 02:25
Avoid the Venus horns as if they carried the Plague. Pure junk.
You could always go online and find a used Bundy Eefer, or oneof the new leblanc/Vito instruments.
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 (2011-07-15 02:26)
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Author: davyd
Date: 2011-07-15 02:38
There's something out there called a Kinder Klari, an Eb instrument purportedly designed especially for young, small hands. Is this a viable option?
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Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2011-07-15 02:43
Are we solving the wrong problem?
Restated: is a Bb horn being too heavy the sole problem or, for example, are the tone holes simply too far away on a Bb for this petite student such that even if the instrument was suspended mid air, it would still be too large?
I ask because if weight is the only issue, maybe what the child needs is to play a Bb with a clarinet strap to offset the weight of the instrument on the fingers.
Plus, their making some pretty light intro Bb clarinets these days that are designed for our beginners that don't also happen to be body builders.
If I'm not mistaken, Michelle Gringas of Miami University (in Ohio) has/had a REALLY young student from what I can gather from youtube videos. I wonder what horn she had him on.
Good luck! Let us know what you've done.
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2011-07-15 03:55
In my experience, the Bliss seems to be a light instrument. But my first thought was Kinder Klari, or the Lyons (or what ever it is now) C clarinet.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-07-15 04:12
I've used an effer to get a small child started on clarinet. It is a good thing.
Today, I'd start the student with a neck strap as well --particularly if s/he is having trouble just holding the instrument.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2011-07-15 09:47
I have an early Kinder Clari which i bought for just this purpose. It has good tone and is easily manageable by small hands. Could be a good way to go. Just play alto sax music.
Tony F.
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Author: clarinetistra
Date: 2011-07-16 04:31
I've also had young/very small students start out on a plateau (closed hole) clarinet. They can be a little tough to find (try Leblanc), but it's the most similar in resistance and feel to a standard clarinet. I switch them over to open hole as soon as their fingers are big enough to cover the holes.
m
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Author: whole note
Date: 2011-07-17 00:11
The Lyons C clarinet might be an option.
There's an interesting thread about it at http://test.woodwind.org/oboe/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=313978&t=313978
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Author: oboesax
Date: 2011-07-17 01:25
When my daughter was in 3rd grade she started alto sax, and soon after tried to play the clarinet. At that time, her fingers wouldn't reach all the keys on clarinet, so she stopped and switched to oboe. She went back to clarinet after her hands grew a bit and now plays all three.
I got an Eb soprano clarinet for her about a month ago off ebay, a Bundy for $100. It plays well and doesn't even need repair.
My daughter uses a neckstrap for most of her instruments, including even the oboe, as a preventive measure.
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Author: Marie from New York
Date: 2011-07-18 14:56
So far, I am encouraged by her response to the neckstrap. We've gotten to lesson 2 in Rubank with no visible frustration. But I also am encouraged, oboesax that you found a workable Bundy Eb for 100 dollars on ebay. That's worth more frequent browsing!
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2011-07-19 14:22
I used the Lyons clarinet (now the "Nuvo Clarineo" clarinet) with an 8-year-old student.
Cheap, durable, and pitched in C, which makes it convenient for playing with other instruments or, with easy transposition, the teacher.
B.
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Author: Marie from New York
Date: 2011-08-21 19:38
This week my student went home from her lesson with an Eb Bundy in great condition that I found for a pretty decent price on ebay ( thanks, those who encouraged me to go back to ebay). She's pretty delighted with it, has pronounced it "cute," and doesn't have nearly the awkward posture when holding it. She will rent it from me for as long as she uses it which will recoup some of my expenses. I'm guessing she'll start beginning band on alto sax parts and I'm hoping for good things for this little musician.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-08-21 20:53
I bought a Lyons Bb and would not recommend it. The key spacing will be fine for a beginner, and I've read that Julian Bliss started on one, but the key action is spongy and requires more strength than a young, small beginner will have.
I'd say start her on a Resonite Bundy Eb. They're absolutely bulletproof and are immune to dropping, banging and probably to use as a spear (if a bratty brother gets hold of it). They're also OK for your (semi)professional use.
They appear from time to time on the auction sites, but you should also check local music stores. Any Bundy with all its keys and no chunks knocked out of the body will be restorable.
You might also check with Susan Eberenz, who does my own repairs and also restores clarinets (and student clarinets) for a living. Find her at vintageflutes@aol.com, (917) 861-6234, (212) 302-5893 and tell her I sent you.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Marie from New York
Date: 2011-08-23 00:47
Thanks, Ken. See above post! I did just that! The Bundy is solid, in great condition, and I think it will serve nicely.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2011-08-23 07:05
I started with a Vito Eb clarinet at the beginning of second grade. I can recommend this as a good clarinet. Only issues (were unimportant at the time as there was no option here, had to buy it from USA anyway) are slightly too short barrel and the A throat key pinched my finger sometimes (it doesn't now with a bigger finger).
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