 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Michele
Date: 2001-03-29 20:53
I played clarinet for 6 years in Jr. High and High School. I played off and on after that in the church orchestra and at home but nothing consistent. I sold my clarinet 10 years ago thinking I would never play anymore. Well, now I have a 7 year old daughter that has been playing piano for two years and she is quite talented. So, now I want to take up the clarinet again so that we can play together. And, I would like to join the orchestra at the church we attend now.
I have been looking at Ebay looking at clarinet prices and I have been reading a lot on this web site. Now here comes the dumb question... I had a Bundy clarinet which I have already figured out is a low end clarinet (in other words....cheap!) What exactly is the difference between the cheaper clarinets and the medium range? They are both made of plastic (resonite) with nickel keys. Why is there such a difference in price? I know that the high end wood clarinets are in their own class and I can understand why they are more expensive (wood vs. resonite).
I want to get a decent clarinet for a decent price. I have no problem buying used if that will get me a better quality instrument at a price a can afford. Basically, I need some advice
Michele
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-03-29 21:58
Hi, Michele -
Don't rule out other comparable brands of horns but...
a used Bundy in *good* playing condition is a good instrument for just about any playing situation. Since you've been away from playing for quite a while though, I'd recommend you ask a clarinet player - someone from your church group(?) - to go with you to try them out. With your previous experience, you'll have no serious difficulty - you may pleasantly surprise yourself :] - picking it up again. For now, my opinion is that a Bundy is quite adequate. I know many experienced players who like them a lot.
I, too, play occassionally in a small church 'orchestra' (whoever shows up). It's lots of fun :]) and you meet the nicest people
- ron b -
(by the way, Michele, there ain't no such things as 'dumb questions' - no, no, no)
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-03-29 23:22
May I suggest that the Bundys are actually good players, and being plastic (ahem, RESOnite) virtually immune to rapid temperature changes.
If you put $150 into buying a quality mouthpiece (tested on the same horn), pads and regulation, you will be miles ahead. Check out the Legere reed if you don't want to go through the rigmarole of finding a favorite piece of cane.
A Legere synthetic reed will last about as long as a box of 10 reeds, and will have a constant playing character (no bad reed days, maybe a few great ones).
Lastly, check out the CLICK! tuning barrel.... church pianos can be off considerably, given the drafty environment.
Congratulations on your return!
anji
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Author: Bart Hendrix
Date: 2001-03-30 00:00
As one who is getting back into the fold after some thirty years away, I think I can understand what you are talking about. A better quality horn has a more precise action, better tone and is generally easier and more fun to play. I expect many beginners get discouraged just because they start with beginner quality horns. Since you already know you want to play, I would suggest you get the best quality horn and mouthpiece you can reasonably afford. I recently purchased a great used horn from Anji and find I no longer have to plan/schedule time to practice -- it just happens no matter what else is going on.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-03-30 00:09
Anji -
Are you suggesting the 'drafty environment' is caused by long winded preachers? :( )
(well, *somebody* had to ask.... 
- ron b -
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Author: Laura
Date: 2001-03-30 00:34
There's nothing wrong Bundy especially for your Daughter. Most intermediate clarinets are wood, sometimes you find a plastic model. Like someone said earlier, improve the mouthpiece and barrel first. You might want to move up to an intermediate eventually if you really get back into playing often.
Check out Taylor Music in S. Dakota- www.taylormusic.com
They have a nice selection of used reconditioned clarinets Normandy, Noblets, etc... I've gotten a couple of them for students and they are very nice fine playing clarinets. You can save a lot of money when you want to move up to the intermediate/pro line clar.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-03-30 01:46
I think the draft is generally from snoring in the pews (not that I ever nod off, mind you).
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Author: Jim
Date: 2001-03-30 04:31
Remember that to play with your daughter on piano, you need piano/ clarinet arrangements, or you will need to transpose for the clarinet. An exception to this is if your daughter has a digital (electronic) piano, most such pianos can be set to automatically transpose to the clarinet.
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-03-30 09:03
Or,
You can get a Buffet E-11 in the key of C. You'll never have to transpose any music from hymn books or other piano music. Sure it's more expensive, but it might be worth it just to check it out.
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Author: Michele
Date: 2001-03-30 09:08
I would love a clarinet in the key of C! How much would this E-11? cost (I am scared to ask)
michele
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-03-30 10:06
The current wwandbw price is for an E-11 in C is $799.
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Author: JimC
Date: 2001-03-30 12:50
I can offer you advice on a personal level. I, too, am re-entering the atmosphere, and... due to budget constraints.... purchased a used resonite Buffet model for $120. It is serving me well. I had to replace a couple of pads, but the point is it got me playing again at a price I can afford. I am now in a concert band, and although my fellow musicians there ALL have wooden clarinets, my little plastic Buffet keeps up.
Sure, every time I'm in a music store I drool at the higher models, no question. Some day I will own one. But I wanted to play again, and I couldn't wait for the bank account to catch up with my passion. When the day comes that I can afford a new, higher model, that Buffet will retire to my own kids.
So... go ahead. Try the cheaper models. You'll have to make sure that it works for (with) you, but don't let the fact that it's "cheap" hold you back. If it plays music well, it's priceless.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2001-03-30 13:52
To me the most important first step is to have your repair tech. go over any new horn. If it is not adjusted properly then you can be blaming yourself for everything that goes wrong or doesn't sound right.
Be sure the horn is right then you can deal with you.
Nothing is worst then trying to play a note and the keys lock up etc etc.
Second thing is the mouthpiece, lig and reed.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-03-31 14:22
Michele, these guys are going to think this is a paid advert again,but for what it's worth here is what I did. "Won" an older Bb "Robert Malerne" on eBay. Sent it off to Dave S (See classified's on Sneezy) for restoration. Got it back--wonderful. Sent off two mouthpieces (also bought on eBay) to DS for refacing. Now I am as happy as a clam. (If clams ever get happy). A short cut to this would be contact DS through his ad and see what other used clarinets he has in stock that have been restored. You might come up with a jewel--I did. You don't have to play cheap, although you can buy cheap. I also have a Vito for playing in the shower (just joking) its plastic and plays well without danget of splitting in outdoor less than favorable weather conditions.
Bob A
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