 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: KJ
Date: 2001-03-15 04:32
I am in Grade 9 and have been playing clarinet for 6 months compared to the 3 years most of my peers have been playing for (in this area, wind and percussion starts in Grade 7). Even though I go to a school with one of the best music programs in Canada (our senior band has won many international competitions), I have surpassed some of my peers in skill level (I've played piano for 8 years, so perhaps that helped a bit), I play 2nd/3rd clarinet/bass clarinet in Grade 9 concert band. Even though I have been playing for such a short time, I can play most 400-500 level parts with ease.
I own a plastic Selmer CL300B, as many of my fellow band members do (for some reason, most music teachers around here don't recommend wooden instruments until you're in Grade 12 or you're playing in an orchestral situation. In fact, most of the Grade 11-OAC band students have plastic instruments.) The tone color is just dark enough for the lower parts I usually play, and I'm quite happy with the brushed finish of the bore, which doesn't look as cheap as the shiny plastic Yamahas my school rents. Question is, is this clarinet going to be useful to me throughout my high school career? I'm quite aware that this is a very decent student instrument, but how does it hold up in the ranks of intermediate clarinets? I'm worried that I will need to change my instrument before Grade 10 is over, and I don't have another $1 300 to spend.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-03-15 14:42
KJ,
When the clarinet seems to "restrict" your musical growth, it's time to step up to a better instrument. Right now you seem to be happy with the clarinet you're using. But, you might start this year to set aside a little bit of money each month toward a better instrument for your high school/college years. The difference between a student model (such as yours) and an intermediate-professional model are noticible as you begin to play more advanced music. Right now you probably wouldn't be able to tell much difference. But, someday when you begin to spend more and more time in the altisimo register and worry more about things like intonation and better key action for those fast passages, etc., you'll want a professional instrument. And, when you get ready for one, don't go to the local music store and pay high dollar for one--$1,300.00 is too much to spend for a Selmer CL300B--you can get a good used Buffet R-13 for that--or less. If you like Selmers, there are some excellent Paris models that you could get for your $1,300.00 if you shop carefully. Keep practicing and sock away some money for the future.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-03-15 18:42
To paraphrase Pierre Trudeau, (or was it Yogi Berra?) "Put your money where your mouth is."
My guess is that your horn is perfectly serviceable, and not a serious threat to your continued success (the piano playing and theory undoubtedly helped) in the wind section.
You will get far more bang for your buck by taking 1/10 of what you had considered and getting the best mouthpiece to match this horn. It really makes all the difference, approach your director with a tone color in mind and ask for some (hem) direction. DO NOT buy from any teacher, but get their recommendation. You can mail order nearly anything, on the cheap.
The reed is a tyrant, and there's a nice product coming from Legere in Barrie, ONT to help overcome some of the pitfalls.
The CL clarinets are REALLY GOOD, and built to last.
If you intend to pursue a music major in College, then bite the bullet in your 11th or 12th year. Otherwise, this horn is JUST FINE.
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Author: Ginny
Date: 2001-03-15 20:14
The piano lessons no doubt helped you excell at clarinet. My son has a similar background and after playing a bit over a year made second chair in the best band at his 1,000 kid 'middle school' also award winning (he's in 8th grade.)
He became very unhappy with his well adjusted Vito, and I just got him an R13 - used. He sounds sooooooooooooo much better and is satisfied with the instrument. He sounds beautiful, he gets as good a tone as I can, sometimes better now! The Vito held him back, absolutely.
We tried a bunch of clarinets first, and we were very lucky to get this one. He already had a good mouthpiece and HATES Legere reeds. He's very picky about Van Dorens. My view is that if you can tell, and can afford it, get a good instrument. Save your money.
The theory that the player and reed and mouthpiece make the difference explains why all those pros are playing on old plastic Bundys. Personally, I think its a crime to force some one to learn to play on bad equipment, an experienced player can deal with it better really. Of course, they won't put up with it.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-03-16 04:24
Ginny wrote:
> The theory that the player and reed and mouthpiece make the
> difference explains why all those pros are playing on old
> plastic Bundys. Personally, I think its a crime to force some
> one to learn to play on bad equipment, an experienced player
> can deal with it better really. Of course, they won't put up
> with it.
Oh, come on now. A well adjusted student model clarinet, coupled with a good mouthpiece, is not going to hold back a young student. Intonation woes and limitations on the keywork normally start showing up in High School somewhere, but more than a few students have made it into music school playing those plastic clarinets.
If the "old plastic Bundys" had pro level keywork and good intonation the pros would play on them, just like they're playing on "old plastic Buffet" Greenlines.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-03-16 04:51
I would suggest:
1)Not to put your target low. Your peers are not suitable for comparison.
(Regrettably many talented youths do this and ruin their artistic lives.)
2)You should have best or reasonably costed good instruments. The worst case
is to have a medicocre one.
3)Search for better mouthpiece and barrel. The nearer to your mouth, the more
important that part is.
IMHO.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-03-16 14:36
I agree that a good mouthpiece and tuning barrel will turn a "mediocre" instrument into a better one and will sound great to boot!! I grew up with a wood/plastic combination Bundy (1961 model) that my parents purchased on a rent/purchase deal from my local dealer. It served me well all though high school. The only hinderances I found to my musicianship were those I imposed upon myself. With practice and determination a good player with a mediocre instrument will rise above those with great instruments and no practice.
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Author: Lex
Date: 2001-03-17 23:31
I agree with Brenda. I began in 9th grade..with a plastic Bundy. Now, MANY years later, I own and play a gorgeous Buffet. Through the years, having studied music in New York most of my life, I realize one thing; the best players will play anything. It's the desire to perfect the music that makes the good players what they are. Nothing is more humerous to those of us that have been around than players who blame their instrument,and not themselves, for intonation problems, etc. Save your money. Buy a great mouthpiece. And practice, practice, practice. With hard work, you'll beat out the mediocre players with the best instruments any day. Don't focus on the limits of your instrument; focus on the limits of you and your ability. A Buffet is wonderful, but does not make me a wonderful a player. Only I have control over how good I am.
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-03-17 23:46
When my younger brother first started learning the clarinet, my dad bought him a Buffet E-11. He sounded good, but it wasn't until I gave him a Vandoren mouthpiece, ligature and a size 4 vandoren reed that he was playing in perfect pitch. (I know, I had the tuner right there!)
First, evaluate your reeds,
Second, look into your mouthpiece. Try out some others.
Third, look at your ligature, and try out some others.
If you're not happy after doing all that, look into getting a good used clarinet. Check pawn shops too. They never know what they really have. I bought a Buffet R-13 for $400!
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Author: Laura
Date: 2001-03-18 04:22
Be careful with pawn shops. Ebay is good but sometimes, you still get taken.
The classified adds on this sneezy.com have good deals. Woodwind and Brasswind.
I'm a band teacher in Detroit area;
There is nothing wrong with a student line instrument, if you sound good and pitch is good that will be fine.
Is your band teacher a clarinetist? If not, my suggestion to you is to find a qualified (college level-symphony level) private teacher in your area.
If anyone could help you with finding the right combination of reed, mouthpiece, barrel, and instrument, it would be a qualified private teacher. Don't settle for just anyone, find out who they studied with and their experience performing and teaching privately. Hope this helps.
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Author: Natalie
Date: 2002-07-04 04:53
Maybe I have grown up in a really strange, band obsessed state, but the schools that I teach lessons at have all the 6th graders start on E-11 and most get an R-13 in 7th grade or 8th grade at the very latest. As a clarinet teacher I find that it does make a big difference. Of course, if you suck and you never practice you can play on anything and it won't matter. I hate the way plastic horns sound and there isn't anyone who plays on them here. It's so strange to come here and read other people's views and see how different they are compared to the music educators here. You would have a hard time finding someone here that plays on anything but a Buffet.
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