 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: R Littlejohn
Date: 1999-05-04 04:32
Iam 77 and have always wanted to be able to play a clarinet. During WWII I bought one in Italy which had to be tightened at the joints with toilet paper but I learned to play a tune or two by ear. Dispensed with it when I was returning to US.
Now I am retired and would love to try it again. What kind should I try? Wood or Plastic? What tone is best just for a person playing to himself? Any other advice such as how much should I pay for a used one?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Meri
Date: 1999-05-04 13:04
<<What kind should I try?>> In general, stay away from clarinet brands that are obscure. Your best bet is to stick to the "big three": Selmer, Leblanc, and Buffet
<<Wood or Plastic?>> Depends on what you can afford. But it may also matter that wood requires slightly more maitenance. On the other hand, wood seems to have carrying power that plastic lacks.
<<What tone is best just for a person playing to himself? >>This depends much more on the piece rather than the fact that you are playing to yourself. Usually, a moderately dark sound is preferred.
<<Any other advice such as how much should I pay for a used one? >>
If you are purchasing a used plastic instrument, don't pay more than $200 for it, and preferably, $150. If you want to purchase a used wood instrument, then the maximum you should pay will vary depending on whether the instrument is an intermediate or a professional model. For an intermediate wood, the maximum you should pay should be $600; but if you desire to purchase a used professional-level instrument, a fair price is up to $1200.
Other advice: Good sources of used instruments include music conservatories and university music faculties. This is a particularly good time to check their bulletin boards, since the conservatory season is almost over, and so is the university year. Usually instruments are sold either because students are quitting, or upgrading to a better instrument.
Also, when purchasing the instrument, place a deposit on it first, and then have it checked out by a good instrument repair person: sometimes the repairs may not be worth the cost.
Meri
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron
Date: 1999-05-04 15:22
Hi, RL !
If you have no idea what you want, a good place to start might be to look over Cynthia Fields web page at:
http://members.aol.com/cwindz/windfix.html
Good used horns (reconditioned), large selection at very fair prices.
I took up the clarinet again after a long absence. Best thing I've done in a l-o-n-g time. I'm 64.
I don't know Cynthia personally but I've heard only good reports about her work.
Happy blowing!
Ron
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 1999-05-04 18:51
Another approach is to have as much fun as possible with your clarinet shopping experience. Here's another approach...
Get a good mouthpiece, reed, and ligature set. Decent beginner mps can be had for $50 or less. You can buy reeds one at a time for about $1.25 or so each. A standard metal lig should cost about $10 or less. All of these prices are retail, of course.
Now, take your mp set and go to all of the music stores in town. Ask to play any and all of the clarinets you can get your hands on. If you have a friend that knows the clarinet, ask for advice. It's even better if you can fetch the services and advice of a professional tutor in town. Learn a few of the typical fingerings and be prepared to actually play the horn yourself. If you know a few tunes that you can play, that's even better. Jot down some notes as you test out horns, both new and used. Compare your findings on the clarinets to finally zero in on the horn that makes you the happiest. Don't be shocked if the horn costs a little more than you originally wanted to pay. If it's right for you, then you will be very happy with it for a long time. If it isn't right, you won't be happy with it, no matter how much you justify it.
Congratulations on choosing the clarinet. There are a bunch of adult novices who regularly peruse this BBS for helpful advice and a sense of perspective.
Most of all, I applaud your choice because you made it for the right reason - to enjoy music. That's what it's all about.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 1999-05-04 19:34
Yes, that's most important, you don't have to start with the great Mozart Concerto, just a few of the easier, tuneful songs from your favorite musicals. I'm nearly 80 and enjoy playing most of the clarinets and some of the saxes on 3-4 occasions per week, just ask my wife![also I try my hand at a bit of simple repair to keep my engr'g alive] . Quite often you will find a used wood cl, well-treated, of intermediate-to-pro quality for a bargain price. Buy it, as it will probably never depreciate in price!! Happy tunes, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 1999-05-04 22:14
To add to Don Berger's posting, it's been pretty easy to buy decent "fake books" that have both the instrument's part and the words for lots of the popular music. Typically, the books cost about $12 to $50 or so (retail) and they contain from half a dozen to hundreds of song melodies in them. I enjoy playing some of these pop favorites at the end of my practice sessions, just for the fun of it. My wife starts to sing along with me when I get it right and we end the night with a fun song on our minds and in our hearts. Now, that's what I call a successful practice session. I learned something and I left with a song in my heart. Who can ask for anything more.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
