 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Wayne
Date: 2001-07-04 07:08
My most recent post was about practicing while on the road. I'm just back from 5 days of not playing and ugh !! It's going to take a few days to work my way back into shape, if you know what I mean. I'm going to buy a clarinet to take on my next trip. Would you buy plastic or wood (I can bring it on the plane and store in the overhead). My current wood clarinet (old Evette) has a crack in the top piece - through the A hole which I recently had pinned - it plays great and I don't want it subjected to the banging and the pressure change. The Yamaha CL20 appears to get rave reviews.... do these clarinets sound more alike,,,that is, should many be tried to find the best or are plastic clarinets more consistent than the wooden ?
Thanks
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-07-04 10:10
I own a Yamaha YCL-20, and it does live up to its reputation of an excellent plastic student clarinet. I tried several new ones, and they appeared to be consistent, unlike some wooden clarinets. There was a recent thread on the YCL-20 (Japanese assembled), and the YCL-20A (assembled in America). If I processed the thread info correctly, there should be no difference, and I don't think you could go to a particular store and ask to try one of each. You can't go wrong with a Yamaha YCL-20, but shop around for the best price.
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-07-04 13:09
I own several Buffet B-12's & a couple of YCL-20's. They are both very good plastic instruments. I prefer the B-12 & an awful lot of kids I know do, too. I bought several B-12's recently for $300 w/shipping included from an authorized Boosey-Buffet dealer. Best, mw
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-07-04 15:06
One thing that's nice about the Buffet B-12 is the standard adjustable thumb rest that's included with them now. I'd pay a little more for a buffet just for that feature alone.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-07-04 17:44
The Yamaha 4C stock mouthpiece is playable, and decent for a beginner, whereas the stock Buffet mouthpiece needs to be replaced.
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Author: Wayne
Date: 2001-07-04 18:33
Thanks everyone.... My local store can get the Buffet, I like the idea that the rest is adjustable and perhaps the keywork will be more like that of my old Evette. Just looking to have one to practice with and not worry about the bangs and bumps ! I'll try to get ahold of a Yamaha to compare - nice to know that plastic is consistent !!
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-07-04 19:17
IMO the Yamaha 4C isn't playable either. Both mouthpieces mentioned are junk. Of course, there are many people who will claim that the Buffet (Rico) or the Yamaha are playable. The local Brook Mayes in Oklahoma City & in Norman have boxes filled to the brims with discards. I have noticed catalogue sellers selling discards for $5.00. I have also seen the Buffet mouthpieces sell for $25 & $30 on eBay. DSFDF. Best, mw
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-07-05 18:12
Here's an embouchure exercise I invented when I was commuting by car. I took a junker mouthpiece (a stock Buffet) and a lousy ligature (a stock Buffet). I then clipped almost an inch off a worn out reed (as much as I could without breaking the reed trimmer). I drove while holding the mouthpiece in my mouth (double lip). After a week or so, things got strong enough that I could add a plastic barrel.
After a month or two, I could hold the thing for close to a minute. It made a tremendous improvement in my endurance.
I got some funny looks from other drivers, but I pretended it was a cigar. It's probably even more distracting than using a cell phone, but who cares when music is at stake.
A somewhat safer time to do this is while surfing the Internet.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2001-07-05 19:10
Ken--
Sounds like a great idea, but why did you clip the reed?
Todd W.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-07-05 20:22
Todd -
I clipped the reed so the tip wouldn't splinter and it would last forever. It ended up over 1/16" thick. Talk about popsicle sticks! I wasn't making any noise on it - just working on my embouchure.
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