 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clarritola
Date: 2013-01-02 02:48
I'm a noob when it comes to this, but can I get maybe a list of brands/models of some staple barrels and bells for my Yamaha YCL-250? I'm looking to advance my sound without buying a new horn. Thanks!
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Author: TJTG
Date: 2013-01-02 03:17
While it's probably not what you want to hear, I'd recommend spending the money on just a barrel and forgo the bell. I think, so long as the new barrel plays in tune, and it improves your sound, buy it. Try out many models, and then try out many versions of that model, and buy the one you like best. I am really attached my Chadash.
Put your bell money into lessons with a high-end musician rather than spending it on a bell. My 1 hour lessons with John Yeh, Julie Deroche, and others went further than any bell could take me.
I think there is a diminishing return on bells and other wingding items. Yes they may 'open up' your sound, but working on articulation and tone within your mouth will take you further than purchasing a new horn and acessories any day.
What grade are you in? What level are you looking to achieve?
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Author: Clarritola
Date: 2013-01-02 03:25
I'm in 9th grade currently, on a music scholarship to my private high school. I plan to continue music for the rest of my life, most likely as a hobby after college.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2013-01-02 05:15
Try rotating your barrel for best response to assure proper alignment with the body.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-01-02 06:54
My two cents' worth would be that you're barking up the wrong tree. The fact that barrels and bells *can* be replaced doesn't mean they *should* be.
The most important reason for buying a barrel is to fix a general intonation problem. Some players are trying to make subtle changes in sound and think a barrel from a specific maker will accomplish what they want. And the bell may noticeably improve one or two notes - any other improvement from a bell is going to be even more subtle than from a barrel and it's truly debatable whether or not anyone but you will notice it.
Besides practicing and listening critically to your own playing, the best two things you can do to "advance your sound" are to take lessons with a good teacher (a clarinet specialist) and, hopefully with the teacher's guidance, get a good quality mouthpiece (assuming your current one is the stock mouthpiece that came with the YCL-250). As a ninth grader just coming into your own as a clarinetist, barrels and bells will give you far less bang for your buck.
Karl
Post Edited (2013-01-02 06:55)
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2013-01-02 14:47
What they said. I've invested in aftermarket barrels and bells only to find that, ultimately, my clarinets worked best with the original bell and barrel--provided that the original barrel hasn't cracked or changed shape. On a composite-bodied YCL-250, your barrel is not likely to suffer such damage--unless it's gotten gouged inside from a wire-handled clarinet mop or a stuck pull-through swab.
The mouthpiece that comes with the YCL-250 is not bad, either. Unless it's damaged, you might find just what you are looking for in your tone by switching to an upgraded ligature and auditioning different reeds than what you are using now.
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2013-01-02 15:49
I'd suggest working with your teacher to find a mouthpiece/reed/ligature combination that you can carry throughout your career as a clarinetist, rather than change the barrel on an instrument that you aren't going to keep for too long, and save the money that you're planning to put into this clarinet for a professional model set of clarinets. Talk with your teacher, who probably has a few different mouthpieces for you to try and ask about ordering a few from different stores to trial and you can pick one out from there.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2013-01-02 16:55
In addition to the thorough advice above, my question for Clarritola is: are you searching for a better sound in theory? Or do you have a concrete idea of how you sound now and what you want to sound like in the end run?
Without being able to know what your final goal is, you'll be at the mercy of the gear you purchase and never truly satisfied with the outcome.
Of course your final goal may evolve over time -- but if you don't know exactly what you're trying to improve at this very moment, you're not actually in charge of producing your sound as you should be.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: donald
Date: 2013-01-02 18:27
Some years ago (in the early 1990's) I went past some teenagers busking in Auckland NZ, and heard the most gorgeous clarinet tone. I stopped and listened and was amazed to see this young boy playing a plastic Yamaha clarinet, making this awesome tone (and with good articulation, control of a wide dynamic range, good fingers- very even technique).
At the time I commented to a cellist friend with me that this kid was scarilly good- if he stuck with it he was going to have my gigs in a few years... The truth was that i felt he had BETTER tone than I did already. He went on to become a very successful player who did some pro playing before falling very ill, then changing his focus to another career path.
Yes- he did eventually get a pair of wooden (Leblanc i recall) clarinets, but I will never forget how good he sounded on that plastic Yamaha (probably a YCL 26 or 26-2).
It sounds like you want to "pimp your horn" without forking out the cash for a new set up. You have been given some good advice up above- I'd add that for a Yamaha horn the bell is quite well designed and my experience has been that aftermarket bells make even less improvement on Yamaha than they do on Buffet...
Here's another idea- spend the money on a GOOD overhaul, and take the time to sit and play the clarinet with the tech as a finishing touch (i'd suggest a 3 octave chromatic scale- slowly. A great way of identifying those "fuzzy notes" where the tech leaves the tone hole without enough venting. Do this right there in front of them so there is no need to argue about it....)
dn
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2013-01-02 19:05
The Yamaha 250 is a very good student level clarinet however I would not expect any after market barrel to make much difference to this horn.
Far better to save up and upgrade to a wood instrument.
Even the Yamaha 34 (model prior to current 450) is a decent instrument and often found used at a very good price.
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Author: Vova Doob(UA)
Date: 2013-01-02 19:59
Hi! I think, that for such instrument as Yamaha YCL-250 there are no sense to buy barrel and/or bell. Better mouthpiece will give better result.
Maby if it`s hard to blow into clarinet there is a sense to buy better barrel.
For better sound, play long notes, it`s only one way to make sound really better.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2013-01-03 23:24
Get a good mouthpiece. Otherwise start saving for your next clarinet.
Steve Ocone
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