 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-10-24 21:52
... are virtually non-existant.
The ONLY advert I've ever seen on telly for any musical instrument was for Yamaha Portasound keyboards back in the early '80s when I was living in Canada (Edmonton, Alberta to be specific). There were also adverts for the bigger music shops shown on telly there too, but nothing of the sort back here in the UK.
I can't even remember seeing any musical instruments advertised on telly in the UK except a Casio Christmas advert in late '81 that featured a Casio VL Tone in their lineup along with their popular digital watches and calculators.
The only places you'll ever see musical instrument adverts are in music specific publications, but hardly ever in the mainstream media.
The only place you'll see musical instrument logos as product placement are in music videos and live or staged performances filmed for for film or telly and even then, you'd often have to squint to see some logos on some instruments.
Tell me why some ridiculously overpriced luxury cars that appeal just to the wealthy are always advertised on telly (and usually accompanied with an orchestral soundtrack) and why people seem to think music is a purely elitist hobby when far fewer people are ever going to own a high end luxury car than play clarinet?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2026-10-24 23:37
Because when you go to buy that clarinet you saw on TV it won't cost you (make the dealership) $150,000.00
..........Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: James Langdell
Date: 2026-10-25 05:34
I remember seeing a segment on a TV shopping network in the 1990s for a Casio keyboard. I had a similar Casio instrument from several years earlier, so I watched this demonstration with interest. I wound up going elsewhere to buy a more expensive keyboard from Casio's current offerings.
At the time, it struck me as unusually on message for me as advertising a musical product. I couldn't think of any time before I'd seen such advertising.
--James
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SecondTry
Date: 2026-10-25 06:20
Chris P wrote:
> Tell me why some ridiculously overpriced luxury cars that
> appeal just to the wealthy are always advertised on telly (and
> usually accompanied with an orchestral soundtrack) and why
> people seem to think music is a purely elitist hobby when far
> fewer people are ever going to own a high end luxury car than
> play clarinet?
>
...because the markup on those luxury cars multiplied by the number sold make for profits exponential in size compared to musical instrument sales, financially justifying the former's advertising budget.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2026-10-25 11:39
Chris P wrote:
> Tell me why some ridiculously overpriced luxury cars that
> appeal just to the wealthy are always advertised on telly (and
> usually accompanied with an orchestral soundtrack) and why
> people seem to think music is a purely elitist hobby when far
> fewer people are ever going to own a high end luxury car than
> play clarinet?
>
"Appeal to just the wealthy?" No, that's incorrect. Luxury and hypercars are aspirational. They end up SELLING to the wealthy (and wannabe wealthy), but automotive enthusiasts still dream about, set goals, visit dealerships, watch YouTube videos, and read up on everything that they aspire to one day have.
Boutique auto manufacturers don't necessarily advertise through conventional means. They are often featured in car magazines, have press cars for automotive journalists to review, and are seen in movies, etc. Brands like: Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin, Maserati, Ferrari, McLaren, and many more.
Now, let's talk about clarinet marketing...
...
...
The Buffet Crampon YouTube channel has... 16,900 subscribers as I write this.
The Rolls-Royce YouTube channel has... 509,000.
The most popular automotive journalist I follow on YouTube is Doug DeMuro and he has over 5 million subscribers.
Now, should we talk about the cost of advertising and air time? Assuming that regardless of the company, the cost of a 30-second commercial would be the same for a given time slot regardless of what is being promoted... does it make sense for a musical instrument manufacturer to spend their dollars in this way?
Probably not.
What is a far better and more targeted way to reach their primary market - usually students?
- Have an exclusivity 'artist' program and have them conduct masterclasses... and they'll probably talk about their equipment.
- Offer social media personalities to do a review of your products (Michael Lowenstern certainly does this probably better than just about anyone and gives a player perspective on whatever he is reviewing.)
- Have booths at clarinet events to allow others to try and experience your equipment.
- Participate in social media groups and forums.
- Be available for podcast interviews, etc.
Far better ways to direct advertising dollars that are far less expensive and reach your intended audience than doing television advertising.
Frankly... television is a dying medium. I don't watch a television screen and haven't for many years. I'm on my computer and my phone.
In fact, on YouTube, I'll get plenty of ads for various music stores, but not direct from the manufacturers themselves.
Probably a better 'pitch' (pun intended) to show expertise and help to select the best setup for a musician than a one-sided pitch from the manufacturer.
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Artist MT36 mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum black ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #3.5 reeds
Brad Behn HR adjustable barrel
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
