 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jan Reed
Date: 2001-08-18 21:28
I have a degree in Music and sing in the chorus of the Austin Lyric Opera, but I don't know anything about clarinets, and my 6th grade daughter is planning to start playing one in her school band. The band director has recommended the following wood clarinets -- could someone give me some guidance or suggestions?
Buffet E-11
Yamaha YCL 34
Selmer CL200
LeBlanc Normandy 4 CA
Artley 70 SWC
I'm planning on using a local music store and getting a rental/purchase plan. I've been reading this BB trying to educate myself (I didn't know C clarinets were commonly used in opera orchestras!) and many of you speak highly of the Buffet. Any input would be much appreciated! Thanks.
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2001-08-18 22:10
The "big four" brands are Buffet, Selmer, Yamaha and LeBlanc. The first four clarinets you list are all fine for a beginner; the E-11 is my personal favorite but for a beginner any of the four would be suitable. The Artley is not in the same class as the rest and I'd stay away from it. Make sure you get a decent mouthpiece, a Vandoren B45, Hite Premiere or Clark Forbes would work. But if these clarinets are expensive for you, a plastic instrument is just fine for the first few years of playing. If you can get a nicer clarinet, do, but it isn't vital. A plastic clarinet in good working order from any of these names (Bundy is from Selmer, Vtio is from LeBlanc) and a good mouthpiece and she'll be in great shape. And look at the terms of a rent-to-own agreement carefully. Sometimes they're real rip-offs. Good luck!
http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/Equipment/Beginner_Equipment.html Some reliable advice from the webmaster of Sneezy
http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/Equipment/Care/index.html Once you get it, take care of it (it's not hard)
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Author: William
Date: 2001-08-18 22:34
My preference is for the Buffet E-11. I play professionally on LeBlanc Concertos (A & Bb), but I do own a Buffet E-11 C clarinet which is fabulous. You do want a Bb clarinet for your daughter, who you noted is a beginner, and I do not think you could go too far wrong with any of the student clarinets listed in your post. I would add the LeBlanc Sonata or Infinitie to that list of economic, yet sound, clarinets. My opinion is that the Buffet E-11 or the LeBlanc Sonata could serve your child well into high school and beyond, depending on her developement as a serious clarinetist. If she were to decide to become a clarinet major in college or audition for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (or any other good orchestra, for that matter) then she would want to upgrade to a pro level Buffet R-13 or LeBlanc Concerto or Opus set of clarinets. Another thing is that a lightly better instrument at the "start" of her career as a musician, may enable her to grow faster and go farther, simply because a great playing instrument will make music (band, lessons and home practice) more fun for her. And, all of the positive "Mom and Dad" comments ("That sounded very nice," etc) you can give will her about her beginning efforts (which may sound a bit scary, sometimes) will work wonders in motivating her to practice and excel. Good luck in your instrument choice and, to your daughter, Good Clarineting!!!!!!!!
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Author: Jan Reed
Date: 2001-08-18 22:53
Thanks Micaela and William for your helpful suggestions. Are there any mail order companies online that I could check for prices?
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-08-18 23:00
Rentals are the surest way to lose money.
May I recommend the alternative not voiced... the Plastic Vito or Bundy?
These horns are much-maligned, commonly available, durable decent sounding instruments. If you buy one for $175 (or so), you could turn around and sell it off next year (same Bat time-same Bat channel) without taking a huge loss.
The wooden horns described will all cost in excess of $300, in decent condition.
As for the models, other than the Yamaha (a killer horn for under $400), if it's not a Buffet- good luck reselling it!
Money is best spent on a comfortable mouthpiece/instruction outside of the school and reeds.
Even monthly lessons will help the child come up to a higher skill level, and quickly. I recommend the Hite Premier and Fobes Debut mouthpieces for beginners. The Legere synthetic reed reduces many of the starter's maintenance problems, and allows them to concentrate on making good tone.
Bottom line; You could be p***ing away some serious money here on anything more than $200 for the first year. Don't for heaven's sake rent!
anji
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Author: Jan Reed
Date: 2001-08-18 23:05
Thanks, Anji -- my husband and I have re-thought this and have decided on buying, not renting. We think you're right.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-08-19 00:45
Jan, you are right to listen to Anji. Don't rent and don't buy a higher priced wooden horn until you are sure the "urge" is going to stick. If you get a Vito, or Bundy (my own choice would be the Vito) they will be practically indestructable and with a good mouthpiece will do the job nicely for quite a while. If the urge sticks and she gets sweaty palms for a better one go for a good wooden instrument and consider keeping the Bundy/Vito for marching band, etc; when the outside conditions are such that you don't want to use your "baby."
Bob A.
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Author: Josh
Date: 2001-08-19 05:25
There are quite a few mail order places you can check for pricing and such...a few are the Woodwind and the Brasswind http://www.wwandbw.com , International Musical Suppliers http://www.intlmusicalsuppliers.com (The owner, Lisa Argiris, is a professional clarinetist and an amazing resource for information. Ask to speak to her), and Weiner Music http://www.weinermusic.com .
Everyone has given you great advice, and I hope your daughter loves the clarinet as much as we all do Bonne chance, mon amie!
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Author: Sue B
Date: 2001-08-19 08:53
You might want to look on ebay. Just be careful there are some new instruments on there that are total junk. Don't be tempted stay with LeBlanc, Buffet, Yamaha, or Selmer.
I got a used Bundy for about 95.00 it needed 30.00 worth of work and is fine.
You could be in business for under $200.00 even with a mouthpiece.
The instruments the band director is recommending are commonly referred to as step-up instruments. They are wood and are more expensive than a plastic clarinet. I think a new plastic clarinet goes for about 250-300 the ones you mention go for 500-600.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-08-19 19:19
Jan, I forgot to mention our own "Sneezy" classifieds. Some of our "Sneezy family" repair and refurbish "Student", "Intermediate" and "Professional" instruments at a very fair price. You have the advantage of knowing that when you get it it will be regulated, in tune, play well, and worth the investment.Unfortunately sometimes "new" horns need adjustment and work just out of the box.
Bob A
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Author: Stephen Froehlich
Date: 2001-08-20 14:31
There is a trend here in Texas (were band is a relatively big deal due to football) to improve the beginners' equpment level. I'm not quite sure what I think of it yet. However in your case, Jan, as musical talent runs in the family, you can probably bet on your daughter keeping the clarinet up through high school. The nice thing about one of these intermediate instrumetns is that she'll be able to do just fine on them all the way through. The exception to this, IMO is if and when she becomes an all-state contender. Then its time to consder a pro-level horn, which thankfully won't break the bank for clarinets.
Don't discount the mail order houses - they're a good alternative to the local stores here. Strait has a very skilled woodwind tech (forgotten his name), but I'm afraid they always feel slimy. Brook Mays has a much better customer service attitude (at least south) but I'm not sure how good their techs are. They seem competent, but may or may not be truly gifted.
A more important choice, IMO, is the lesson teacher. I wouldn't recommend settling for the school "provided" teacher without some kind of second opinion. Teachers mostly come out of UT here in Austin (SURPRISE!), so that's often a good place to start looking.
Don't be afraid to call or email <a href="mailto:r.macdowell@mail.utexas.edu>Dr. MacDowell</a> (471-8154) who is the clarinet professor at UT. You also should talk to Amy Blair (288-2787, I believe). For quite some time she was regarded as the preeminent teacher in town. Its very tough to get on her roster, but she would be a good person to talk to about alternatives, and she's a sweet, spunky old lady.
I'll end with a small rant, though. If there were a pamphlet available (for like $2) that covered only how to select a reed from the box and maybe how to rub them down that was a required text for all beginning single reed players, I believe that it would prevent any number of beginner reed problems and save the parents some substantial money in the long run. (I guess this goes under the "Is Larry Guy listening?" heading.)
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Author: Whitney C.
Date: 2001-08-21 01:39
Once you decide what you want... check out www.nemc.com . It's the company I bought my clarinet from. You could probably find even cheaper by shopping around, but they're pretty good prices.
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Author: Anna
Date: 2001-08-24 05:01
the Buffet B-12 is also one to look out for - as far as I'm concerned, it's a really good plastic clarinet!
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-08-24 11:55
My choice forn a beginner is a plastic Yamaha, WELL ADJUSTED.
And there is little wrong with the 4C mouthpiece it comes with. Hell, I could perfom on this and the audience would never know it was a cheapie.
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