Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-04-30 00:46
jeffyx wrote:
> My private teacher encourages me to get an R13 because most of
> the people in my area ALL use buffet instruments in all state
> bands and orchestras.
I'm going to leave the R-13 bashing to others. There are good ones, merely acceptable ones and even bad ones.
This first sentence is internally silly. I am certain that there are some students who have reached the all-sate level who play on other instruments than Buffet R-13. And if ALL of these make the state level on other instruments, then it isn't the instrument that is leading to their success.
I don't know what state you're in, but in Pennsylvania no one asks what clarinet you play when you apply to audition, and the judges (where there are auditions) listen with their backs to the players so they can't see what instruments are coming in the door. You are better off with any top-level instrument than with an entry-level clarinet of any brand.
> I wanted to
> ask "why do people like the r13?"
> I'm dumbfounded. I've heard bad things about the r13. People
> are saying they are inconstant, have bad pads, terrible quality
> control but people still think it's the professional standard?
>
People who like R-13s won't often be the ones who are posting about it on a forum like this. They have no axe to grind. It's far more likely that postings will come from players who have a complaint and who prefer something else (and want to convince others). This is a matter of preference and people are entitled to their preferences. Preferences can't be right or wrong. They're personal. That so many R-13s are still sold and used shows that there are many players who like them - they just aren't as vocal about it.
> Do you think it's really worth to get my teacher to hand pick
> an r13 for $4000ish? She's really pushing me telling me that
> judges keep in mind what instrument you play and brands like
> yamaha don't have the "buffet sound"?
>
I think this is nonsensical hyperbole, but this is an age of hyperbole, so it isn't surprising. As to worth, that's really unanswerable.
> I do want to note that I might minor in music once I go to
> college or something similar to that so it might be worth to
> get an r13 for the long run?
You're too young, frankly, to be so much concerned about "the long run" in considering clarinet equipment. In the medium range much can happen that would change your decision about what clarinet to play. Your concept could change, New clarinets could come along that you like better. Your needs as a clarinetist might change (what kind of music style you want to play and what type of ensemble you want to play it in). If you study clarinet in college, whether as a minor or as a performance major, your clarinet teacher at the college may have a preference or he may find a range of good alternatives acceptable. IMO you should take care of your current needs. Clarinet purchases are not life-long commitments.
So, you shouldn't buy R-13 because you won't get into state band without one (you might not get that far with one, either) or becauise you want to please a college teacher you haven't even met yet. And, if you find an R-13 you like, you shouldn't *not* buy it because some other players prefer Yamahas or Leblancs or Ridenours or something else.
And BTW I second Ruben's suggestion that a used R-13 is a more-than-acceptable solution. A good used high quality clarinet is more likely to have been maintained and its idiosyncrasies corrected by its past owners. You have to be selective, as you do when choosing a new one, but the price will be considerably lower with less chance of a surprise defect in tuning or response that turns out to be irreparable.
Karl
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