 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Beth
Date: 1999-01-23 23:52
I had posted this question before but it got lost in the change over so here it is again. BTW..thanks to those of you who responded before.
I would like to buy a bass clarinet for my 8th grader but need some input on the different models and also if I would be wasting my money on a student model to use thru high school. I also need input on mouthpieces. Thanks for your help.
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Author: A
Date: 1999-01-24 16:09
School districts usually provide bass clarinets(as they do tubas, baritone horns etc.) because students are not likely to buy them. Are you sure your district doesn't do this?
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Author: Robin
Date: 1999-01-24 16:26
I think you missed Beth's point, "A." She said she WANTED to buy the bass clarinet for her daughter, not that her daughter is necessarily going to be required to play one at school.
I'd recommend looking for a used resonite bass clarinet, at least initially. Since it's SUCH an expensive horn, you might want to wait to see how your daughter develops on the instrument (not to mention to make sure she likes playing it enough to justify buying a good wood bass for the long term). I'd stay away from the Bundy basses, which have a reputation as being pretty awful; you should be able to pick up a good used Leblanc Vito bass (which is what I happen to own) for around $500. If you want a new one, you should be able to get the same Vito (or Buffet, which has finally introduced a plastic student model bass) for around $1000 from one of the mail order houses like Weiner, Woodwind & Brasswind or Weiner.
On mouthpieces--same basic recommendations as you'd have for a Bb soprano: Hite, Vandoren, etc.
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Author: Fred McKenzie
Date: 1999-01-25 04:10
Beth wrote:
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I had posted this question before but it got lost in the change over so here it is again. BTW..thanks to those of you who responded before.
I would like to buy a bass clarinet for my 8th grader but need some input on the different models and also if I would be wasting my money on a student model to use thru high school. I also need input on mouthpieces. Thanks for your help.
Beth-
One value of a student model, is that it is a smaller investment in case your student doesn't stick with it long. The value of owning one instead of using the school's, is that you are more likely to get it fixed when it doesn't work right. A lot of school instruments don't get the repairs they need, leading you to believe they just aren't very good.
I have the Selmer Bundy. It doesn't have the best tone, but has better intonation than my Selmer wooden model. Another player in the band has the Vito, and it seems to be OK. I think either might go for around $500 in good used condition.
There are several good mouthpiece brands available such as VanDoren, but I think it would be a good idea to first try the one that comes with the instrument.
Fred
<a href=http://www.dreamnetstudios.com/music/mmb/index.htm>MMB</a>
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