 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MrJozzerBeast
Date: 2012-03-18 17:40
Hi guys,
I am a 15 year old clarinettist. I am somewhere between grade 6-8 standard (I am doing grade 6 soon, although I can play mozarts clarinet concerto, the works of weber and Spohr), I just have played a lot and didn't get grade 5 theory done!
Anyway, I play in an orchestra and have been needing an A clarinet more and more. My teacher lets me use his old A clarinet, an old buffet rc, and I really enjoy using it. He is happy to let me keep using it as he no longer uses it.
However, I take music very seriously and I am hoping to make a career of it, whether in an orchestra or teaching, I don't know yet, but an A clarinet is an essential instrument to have.
At the moment I have a buffet e11 clarinet(One of the older ones made in the schreiber factory in Germany), and I don't know whether I want to upgrade this first or get a Buffet e11 A clarinet.
What would you guys do? I am probably going to get a new Bb for my 17th birthday instead of driving lessons, unlike the majority of people, but I am not sure whether to wait upgrade and get an A afterwards, or to get an A first and wait another year after that to get a Bb. What should I do?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks,
Jack
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2012-03-18 17:57
Don't take my advice as gold, but I would suggest getting an A clarinet first. My thinking is that you may want to wait until you get into a university and then have your instructor help you select a Bb. I've heard some instructors can be a little picky with what their students use. Yes a great Bb is probably more imperative than a great A clarinet, but I think since you're finding the need for an A, get a decent A clarinet, and CONTINUE to save up money for the Bb. I would make sure that whatever Bb you get in the future, try to take enough time selecting it and trying them out that it could very easily be the LAST Bb clarinet you get.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: MrJozzerBeast
Date: 2012-03-18 18:03
Thanks, thats helpful.
Also, I am getting an Eb clarinet soon, It is just a cheap one from gear 4 music. Do you have any experience with this standard of Eb clarinet and do you have any advice? Should I get a good mouthpiece and ligature?
Thanks,
Jack
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Author: ttay1122
Date: 2012-03-18 20:46
I agree with Alexi about the Bb A situation. However, if you can avoid it do not get the inexpensive Eb. I have one that has the same keywork, case and everything. It probably came out of the same factory and it is horrid. The keywork bends easily and the intonation is off the charts. It's not even worth owning. If you have your heart set on an Eb I would go check *cough* ebay *cough* and try and get a nice old bundy or something similar. On the note of your Bb, you may consider trying some different barrels to upgrade your Bb temporarily while you wait. Maybe try some Backun, or Chadash, Moening. These could really improve the sound, intonation, and resistance of your Bb, AND when you get your A you could use the same barrel on it! Just a thought. Have fun looking for a new instrument!
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2012-03-18 20:57
Why choose an E11 A clarinet? they are not in my opinion a particularly great choice and there is no real need to match your current Bb especially as you may soon upgrade anyway.
Look out for a decent used model and not necessarily a Buffet. There are other good makes that are often quite a bit less costly such as Leblanc, Selmer and Noblet.
I second the comments on those really cheap Ebs, the few I have seen have been abominable!
You often see Bundys and Vitos etc advertised and they are a far better bet.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-03-18 21:34
...I recently bought an "A" Marigaux for less than $70...just keep your eyes open.
--
Ben
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-03-20 07:35
You don't have to spent a lot of money on an A clarinet. Look for some from the 70's and maybe befor. The Selmer 9* or 10 series are pretty good. Perhaps not the best playing, but check some out on ebay.
$300 to perhaps $600 would be a fair deal and then you can still update your Bb.
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