 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: howard miner
Date: 2001-11-23 23:03
I haven't played a clarinet for 50 years, however I rented a student model for 3 months and did OK, so I plan to purchase one. The people at the store, suggested that a student model is easier to play. I tested a student ebonite Armstrong ($380) and a wooden Artley 725 ($505) that they had on hand. In this limited test, the student model seemed a little easier to play, (at this early stage in my relearning process).
-Are student models easier to play? If so, how significant is the difference in tone quality?
-Cost is not a concern compared to ease of use, considering my age (lungs are not what they use to be).
-How significant is mouthpiece selection? (I used the same one in the test).
Thanks, Howard
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fred
Date: 2001-11-24 00:28
Glad you asked . . . and WELCOME BACK!!! A bunch of us came back after 20-30yrs, but I think you've got the record hands down!
Honestly, I wouldn't recommend either an Artley or an Armstrong. You can do MUCH better for the same money. The top four brands for your purposes are Buffet, Leblanc, Selmer, and Yamaha. If you dealer doesn't sell one of these, we can direct you to lots of sources that you can trust.
Are student models easier to play? I don't think so. They may be more rugged, but won't have the sure feel of a good horn.
Mouthpiece? It's critical. There are some good beginner models at around $30. Most of the ones that come with horns are best used to prop open doors. If others don't mention the model names of some good ones, I'll look them up. We LOVE helping folks get back in the water.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Irwin
Date: 2001-11-24 01:09
Based on the experience one of my friends recently had, I strongly recommend that you buy a used clarinet from one of the Sneezy sponsors who refurbish and sell them. In particular, John Butler sold a great Noblet (student model) at a good price to my friend. Also, Dave Spiegelthal (Spiegelthal.Dave@Orbital.COM) and Mark Weinstein (cpaok@mail.icon.net), both regulars on this board and therefore likely to be reputable, sell used horns. Another option is to check out the used equipment on the classified ads section of Sneezy.
I started over after a 28 year absence. In the 3 years since I started I've improved tremendously. My suggestion is that if you're not strapped for cash and you're making a real commitment to playing and improving, spend the money on a used pro grade horn. Leblancs are a bit easier to play (especially in the altissimo) than are Buffets.
Congratulations and good luck on returning to playing.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-11-24 04:12
First of all, Howard, welcome HOME! I'm 76 and a "restart" after a group of years like yourself. Pay particular attention to what has been said before. Do not be in a rush to buy something. First you might want to take stock of your own physical limitations. It will take some time for you to get your chops back.(Especially if all your teeth are not "yours") During this time you will be tempted to throw money at it to try and improve your tone. Just remember that a good--really good player--can sound good on a bad mouthpiece, but you will need to know the difference between good and bad before you can decide on a choice. Are your ears good enough to make that determintion? Can you really tell what YOU sound like? If not get an educated friend with good ears to help. Secondly, how are your fingers? Bothered by arthritis(sp)? take that into consideration in trying any instrument.
If I may be so bold, let me tell you what I did. I bought an old "beater", a Vito off eBay and had it just repadded. Then after I decided that the desire was still there I contacted Dave Spiegelthal and had him suggest another purchase (from off e-Bay) that he felt could be reconditioned to be a good instrument. He, at that time did not have an older model in his own stock so we settled on a wooden Robert Malerne "Standard" model. "Won" the auction and sent it off to Dave. He reconditioned it and refaced the mouthpiece that came with it plus one I had purchased. I am most happy with my choice of repairman and mentor. How happy? So happy that I did it again, this time asking Dave to find me a Bass Clarinet. Guess what, it also is a R. Malerne (a Conn stencil) and I love it. I have much less tied up in these two instruments than any I could buy off the shelf and they have been adjusted by a professional who knows what he is doing. Because, believe it or not, all new instruments need adjustment. Anyway, that's what worked for me. Hope this helps.
Bob A
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2001-11-24 04:27
I can't add anything to the sound advice already given, Howard.
I can, however, offer a resounding...
Welcome Back !
(I, myself, am a thirty year re-tread
- ron b -
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2001-11-24 15:16
I would recommend this set-up for you (as you have stated that money is not a problem compared to ease in performance): Clarinet--Buffet E-11 or 13, or LeBlanc Sonata or Concerto, and a Greg Smith Mouthpiece--my personal favorite is his Kaspar model. Welcome back and Good Clarineting!!!!!!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wes
Date: 2001-11-24 17:54
Ditto on all of the above--good advice. While I am extremely happy with my Buffet R-13 clarinets, my granddaughter's plastic Yamaha is very easy to play and well in tune. I refaced her $30 student model Hite mouthpiece and fixed some Vandoren V12 reeds for her and it is very good. The sound is not as resonant to me as the R-13, but I'll bet the typical listener probably can't tell the difference.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Joe
Date: 2001-11-24 21:16
Howard, heed all the good advice given above. Both Dave and Mark are reputable "regulars" here on the board.
I can totally appreciate your situation right now, beacuse 3 months ago I was in the same boat. The bug bit violently after many years, (it was June 1945 since I had played last), and I didn't really know where to turn. So ..... I rented a Vito and started looking around. I was able to find an older Leblanc Symphonie and am slowly getting everything back into shape, all for my own amusement.
Welcome back, and good clarineting!!!!
Joe.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2001-11-25 10:37
Irwin wrote:
>
> John Butler sold a great Noblet (student model) at a good price
Noblets are intermediate level instrument not student level.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob
Date: 2001-11-25 23:24
You beat me by two years,Joe, I came back from June of 1947. I'm playing with a Community Band now and it really helps keep me motivated....and learning. Of course, there's nothing that says you only have to own one clarinet! Unless you are a regular player(for a few years or so) it's hard to evaluate any prospective purchase. I purchased a used plastic one and then a while later purchased a new wood one.....one of the less popular brands and I'm very happy with it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-11-26 10:31
I consider a student Yamaha, WELL ADJUSTED, a superbly easy instrument to play. It is also in tune, well engineered, robustly made, reliable.......
Just make sure you get it THOROUGHLY checked when you buy it - preferably by somebody who is not trying to convince you that a new instrument does not need adjustment. Almost every one does, irrespective of price, student model or pro. I would be very skeptical indeed as to whether a retailer does this - at all!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
