 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bassCgeek
Date: 2013-05-23 14:23
So I'm a 4 year clarinetist/bass clarinetist, and I feel it's time I should buy my own clarinet, I've rented from the school and I don't want to anymore, what's a good clarinet that I could use for marching band, and Wind Symphony. And while you're at it what's the price range of a decent bass clarinet?
bassCgeek :D
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Author: Taras12
Date: 2013-05-23 18:02
First decide on what you can afford; that will help narrow the choices. Do you want a new or used instrument? If you buy used, make sure the instrument has been serviced and regulated, or have it done after purchasing it (this can be expensive).
Your marching band goals would require an instrument that can take a great deal of stress. Depending on where you live, climate factors in tremendously. Changes in temperature and humidity will take its toll on wooden instruments. Therefore, a hard rubber (Ridenour Lyrique models come to mind) or a composite material (Bliss 300 series, Greenline by Buffet and so on) should take the stress. You will however pay a small price regarding the tone and timbre of the instrument. Some of that can be minimized by the use of a wooden barrel and bell.
Wind Symphonies, which mainly play indoors, allow you to explore the reasonably priced wooden instruments.
There are musicians who have a wooden instrument as their primary instrument and a synthetic one as their backup/outside one.
The other thing to remember is that your mouthpiece, emboucher and technique are key in producing good tone.
Tristan
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2013-05-23 19:01
bassCgeek wrote:
> And while you're at it what's the price range of a decent bass clarinet?
>
That depends on what you need. Will you be wanting and instrument keyed down to low C or can you live with one that only goes down to low Eb? Do you want a professional level bass clarinet or will a student or intermediate model suffice?
A new professional bass clarinet will run ~$7k-$9k for a low Eb model depending on brand. New professional low C models run from ~$8k-$10k.
Intermediate models like the Ridenour Lyrique run at ~$2k for a low Eb model and ~$3k for a low C model.
New plastic student models are typical only available keyed down to low Eb and range in price from ~$1.5k - $2k.
There will be more options if you also consider used instruments. A decent wooden intermediate level bass clarinet keyed down to low Eb (such a a Noblet for example) can usually be had for ~$1k in good playing condition but it may take a while to find one. Used plastic student models in good playing condition usually come in at prices only slightly below this but are much more plentiful.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2013-05-24 00:15
I have played several basses so far, and if you don't really really need a low-C model, you might be happy with one of the cheap student instruments (namely Yamaha 221, Jupiter 675, Selmer 1430LP, Leblanc 7168 (the latter three appear to be more or less identical clones at roughly the same price)), when you invest some of the thusly saved money into a decent mouthpiece.
Of course, there's the eternal wood vs (some-other-material) debate, but in my book a mouthpiece has a greater effect, and in the end you'll sound like you whether you play on a $10K pro or a $2k student instrument. Ergonomics will weigh more than features when you're under pressure. Plus, "synthetic material" is just more robust for potential careless use.
How did you like your school instruments? Is it just the "it's not mine" thing, or are you looking for other improvements? Understanding this will help us make better suggestions.
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Ben
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Author: bassCgeek
Date: 2013-05-24 00:36
@Ben- My Bass Clarinet is pretty decent It's just since I'm a sophomore student in high school they gave me a bass clarinet that has not been used in years and was not properly taken cared of, so the pads are worn, the screws go loose, and yeah it's not mine, I don't want to make it worse.
bassCgeek :D
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2013-05-24 00:41
so...what model is it then?
If you like it, is there any chance you can approach your music director (or whoever is in charge with the inventory) and ask what if you wanted to buy it?
(Be prepared to have your own instrument serviced from time to time as well)
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Ben
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Author: bassCgeek
Date: 2013-05-24 00:41
@Tristan- I live in Utah, where the weather doesn't make up it's mind, it's either really hot, or really cold, rainy, or super dry (worst place to be musician)
I'm not really quite sure if I'm going to play clarinet or bass clarinet for marching band, would you recommend that same if I played Bass Clarinet?
bassCgeek :D
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Author: bassCgeek
Date: 2013-05-24 00:49
@Ben
It has no model, I've asked and since there is 4 bass clarinetist this year and only 3 bass clarinets none of us can buy it.
bassCgeek :D
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Author: Taras12
Date: 2013-05-24 02:35
I wish I could help you on that decision. I am only beginning and play the Bb clarinet. I play for my own enjoyment. When I was in 4th grade, I played for 6 months and gave it up. Now 45 years later, I am fulfilling my dream. My advice, do what feels right.
Tristan
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2013-05-24 03:08
bassCgeek,
I love the bass clarinet. It's a wonderful instrument.
That said: please don't bother marching that thing outside. Huge strain on your back and arms for something that doesn't really fill a needed aural space on the field.
I agree with a lot of the advice above. If you'd like some really detailed advice from those who offer it, I would suggest telling us what you'd like to pay (in a perfect world) for an instrument.
It also isn't clear to me whether you're priority is a bass or a soprano. Sopranos are much cheaper than bass in general.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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