 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dharma
Date: 2011-10-31 19:46
I just had my first ever clarinet lesson. Though I've played guitar and some percussion before, this the first time I've had a music lesson since I played the tuba for a year or so in school. That was over 30 years ago!
Three things really stood out for me in the lesson. First, it was not nearly as hard to get a note out of it as I expected. Second, it was very, very hard to make the note sound half way decent. Third, and this was the real eye opener: the darn thing was tiny!
Mind you, I'm now six foot and well over 200 pounds, and the last time I saw a clarinet up close, I was about 8 years old, so I suppose I had a memory of them being much larger!
The fourth thing to come out of the lesson was that it felt really, really right. This is something I can see me getting into. So fifth thing: tomorrow I will be getting me a clarinet of my very own. My local music store tell me they have a great range of new and used instruments in stock (Buffet, Yamaha etc), and I can route by them on the way home from work.
Final thing: I've been lurking on here for some weeks, and reading this forum was one of the things that made me decide I should just give it a go. So thanks to all!
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A horse is drawn to water, but a pencil must be lead.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2011-11-01 01:20
Good for you! Keep up with the lessons for at least a little while; there's a lot to learn that can't be done by books or internet!
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Author: Buster
Date: 2011-11-01 03:37
hold an Eb for a laugh.
I had to grind keys down, and add some metal to others, to get mine comfortable for my hands. My fingers still rub together, but such is my fate. alas...............
Post Edited (2011-11-01 03:57)
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Author: stuper1
Date: 2011-11-01 18:12
You may not be far from Hanson Clarinets, a clarinet maker in Marsden. You can check them out at www.hansonclarinets.com. I have no affiliation, but I've heard good things about them. It looks like they make good stuff for just about any price range you may be interested in. Don't think that clarinets have to be made of wood to be good. A beginner might do well on one of their ebonite models for many years (or possibly permanently).
I'm an adult beginner. Been at it about two years. The first year involved a lot of frustration (and some joy), but I'm glad I stuck with it. It gets easier with time. Just try to practice at least 15 minutes every day (more if possible, and take a day off every week or two if you want), and you'll sound great in no time (i.e., probably in six months to a year). I definitely recommend regular lessons (every week or two) if possible. I suppose I could have learned to play on my own, but it would have been much harder, and some of the things you need to learn are not really self evident.
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Author: Dharma
Date: 2011-11-01 23:02
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
I figured a teacher would be a good idea for woodwind, and I'll keep the lessons up a while.
Thanks stuper1, I had a good long look at Hanson, and really liked the idea of popping over to see the factory. It's about an hour/hour and a half from me. In the end, though, I realised it would me a few weeks before I could get over there, so I opted for the LMS.
SteveG_CT, Wow! Erm, which of those is a Bb?
Anyway, like I said, I called into the LMS tonight. I had every intention of buying a new Yamaha 250, but he had a used B12 at a great price, and in virtually as new condition. He showed me four or five instruments, and pointed out some good and bad points on each, but the one I went for - the B12 - really is like new. We had it next to the brand new Yamaha, and I couldn't have pointed out which was new and which used.
Also, he was really helpful, telling me about things I don't need, as well as do need, and I know it's an easy sales trick, but I always feel more comfortable when someone tells me I don't need something, rather than just taking the sale!
AND he encouraged me to just drop buy on the way home and chat, and that he has contacts for a few adult learner ensembles, for when I'm ready!
I've had the clarinet out since I got home, and it really is without blemish, and all the keys are nice and springy, and the pads look like they've ne er been used. I even managed to make it make a noise!
Happy customer!
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A horse is drawn to water, but a pencil must be lead.
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Author: Maria P
Date: 2011-11-01 23:55
Glad you've manage to get what you wanted. I've just returned to the clarinet after a gap of over 20 years. At the moment I'm playing a 'Sonata' which is apparently made by Hanson.
I haven't had it long (had a very bad Chinese made clarinet before that) and bought it from ebay (decided to take a chance) but to be honest it's quite a good student clarinet, but could do with a better mouthpiece (next thing to buy lol).
I've just had a new clarinet bought for me (for my birthday in a couple of months) and so decided to upgrade to the Yamaha 450. I was debating between that and the Buffet E11 - but the Yamaha just had the edge in the end.
Maria
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