 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2011-11-30 20:34
After many frustrating years of suggesting students' parents to purchase certain items for their students at christmas time, and having little success, I wrote up a "Top 5 Gift Ideas for Clarinet Students" to help them understand what each product is and why they need it.
I thought the board might have similar issues, and if you would like to share the list with your students' parents to make their shopping a little easier, please feel free! (Please just cite me as the author if you share it via email).
Any suggestions, ideas? Did I miss anything? What's on your "must-have" christmas list?
I'm interested in discussing ways that parents can be encouraged to invest in their child's musical career at christmas time, instead of the usual video games and socks!
Here's the link if you're interested!
http://seanperrin.ca/2011/11/30/top-5-gift-ideas-for-clarinet-students/
Happy holidays!
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
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Author: CuriousClarinet
Date: 2011-11-30 21:24
Your webpage looks very nice and clean. =p I'm not sure if you made the code for it yourself, but I'm my school's webmaster so I've been noticing these things of late. =p I think the list is a very good idea, and it doesn't really look like you've missed much to me. The only thing I could think of is with the B45 mouthpiece you might want to add that a mouthpiece is something that responds slightly different to everyone so a "test play" is kind of important. I tried a b45 mouthpiece on the bass clarinet and all it would do is squeak. Weirdest thing ever... I brought it to my teacher to make sure that I wasn't missing anything and it didn't play any better for him. He didn't seem to think that it was built wrong, either. But a lot of people like the B45's so they must work for some!
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-11-30 23:07
One thing I'd add to the list in a decent music stand. I've seen many parents who expect their children to just prop up the sheet music against the case, tape it to the wall, or some other such ridiculousness.
Other things to add might be swabs (I've seen some really disgusting ones in the cases of some students), good quality cork grease, small bottles of key oil , and small precision slotted screwdrivers (ones from Wiha are very good)
I might suggest removing the B45 mouthpiece simply due to the fact that an $80 mouthpiece doesn't really fit on a list titled "Top 5 Gift Ideas Under $50 For Clarinet Students"
Post Edited (2011-11-30 23:08)
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2011-11-30 23:17
Thanks, I'm glad you like the site, Curious Clarinet!
Steve, I have never had a problem with students not having a stand because I won't teach a lesson without one. I ensure they have at least a clarinet, reeds, a stand, and perhaps even a book before I come over for the first lesson. It's the more specific things I have difficulty getting them to purchase.
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2011-12-01 00:40
I noticed the price discrepancy, too. But I'd remove the B45 for other reasons. If the list is for beginners, I'd substitute something like a Fobes Debut. If it's for intermediate/advanced students, I wouldn't specify a particular make and model, I'd simply recommend a "good quality mouthpiece" and then explain why individual selection is important and, possibly list a number of alternatives or encourage the parents to contact me for further information.
My biggest problem with your list is that you don't really say who your target audience is. Gifts that are appropriate for first or second year students may not be appropriate for older, more advanced students and vice-versa. Also, while your intentions are good, I think some of your recommendations could come back to bite you. Suppose a parent buys a Legere reed and the child doesn't like it because it is too hard or soft. I know from personal experience that selecting the right strength blind is not a trivial exercise. I also am aware that Legere will replace reeds but, if you read their offer closely, you will see that there are limits. Also what happens if little Johnnie or Judy chips the end a week after they get it. So much for a year's supply of reeds for $19. Buying a Legere reed could lead to more headaches than benefits for a parent and parents will remember who made the recommendation.
I have the same reaction to the B45. Many, if not most, beginners will find it too hard to blow. Returns are more problematic as well. Not only will the parents in such a case be unhappy with you, they will likely also begin to question your competence.
Same comment with the clarinet stand. The first time someone bumps the clarinet and knocks it over, causing damage and repair costs, you will probably hear about it.
Welcome to the world of product liability where no good deed goes unpunished.
Best regards,
jnk
Post Edited (2011-12-01 00:43)
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2011-12-01 01:06
Wow, Jack! You've made me afraid to suggest my students buy anything, haha.
I did take some of the advice regarding the $50 price limit and the mouthpiece selection into consideration, but I honestly don't believe that investing in something like a clarinet stand, metronome, or a synthetic reed is going to cause any harm.
Parents are normally thrilled to try the products I recommend, and I wouldn't suggest them in the first place if I didn't fully believe in them.
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
Post Edited (2011-12-01 01:40)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-12-01 03:42
Cool list. I don't know about a year from one legere....that's a REAL stretch.
I can see Jack's point about the clarinet stand. I still think that a stand is better than NO stand, so maybe adjusting the description to show that it'll HELP prevent tipovers instead of possibly misleading people into thinking it'll definitely stop it from happening - ever.
I'd put in there a Roger Garret Reed case. less than $50, works great, looks better, and it's better than kids that put the reeds back into the plastic vandoren sleeve and never keep track of rotating the reeds.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: clariniano
Date: 2011-12-01 12:55
You might want to add a decent ligature, I've had students whose sound has improved significantly by using a better ligature than those metal ones supplied with most clarinets. One dealer where I am is selling the Rovners for 1/2 price, normally about $40 for only $20 plus tax. And the Yorkville flute/clarinet stand is sturdier and a lot less expensive, at about $10 than the KM stand.
Meri
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