Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2017-04-29 18:35
Fuzzy mentioned group think, and the "R-13 or nothing" mindset was around when I was in high school in the early 70s. I knew a few people then who played pro Selmers (back when it was common for local music stores to stock them), but there was a definite pro-R-13 bias. When I was in college in the mid 70s, I don't recall anyone playing a Selmer or Leblanc. Yamahas were around, but few people took them seriously.
The price of the R-13 has risen over the years faster than the rate of inflation.
I recall that the MSRP for an R-13 in 1971 was about $450. In today's dollars, that would be about $2,709. It was common to be able to buy them at a small discount, and I recall that my parents paid about $370. In today's dollars, that would be about $2,227. It's also important to remember that the cost of college tuition has risen faster than the rate of inflation.
If you want to put your teacher on the spot--if you do, please be very
respectful!--you could ask her to explain the Chicago Symphony clarinet section. Principal player Steven Williamson uses a Selmer Signature with Vandoren reeds. Assistant principal John Bruce Yeh plays a Yamaha SEV, also with Vandoren reeds. Gregory Smith plays a Buffet (not sure about his reeds). Bass clarinet J. Lawrie Bloom also uses a Buffet, but with D'Addario reeds. Somehow (gasp!) these four excellent musicians sound great together, even though they aren't all playing Buffets!
Please don't let your teacher pressure you into spending more than you can afford. It isn't worth it! What kind of clarinet are you currently using?
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