 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: despondant
Date: 2002-02-27 04:52
Hello
Hi - I'm a teenager and been playing clarinet for 4 years now - my parents got me a nice Selmer for "sticking with it" on my teachers recommendation. I turn up to band and get told I won't get anywhere with that "heap of crap" and I should have an R-13. Have I been given a bad instrument - I just love it, but I now just want to give music a big miss.
sorry - I'm upset!!
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Author: allencole
Date: 2002-02-27 05:19
The R13 is a sweet instrument--and I'm glad I made the switch--but my old Selmer Centered-Tone was a perfectly fine horn.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-02-27 05:41
Benny Goodman and Anthony Gigliotti did just fine playing Selmer clarinets...GBK
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-02-27 05:44
Not to put too fine a point on it but, IMHO, anyone who would make that kind of comment is a "heap of [ignorant] crap." You don't mention what model Selmer you have but, rest assured, Selmer is a first rate manufacturer. Otherwise, Benny Goodman wouldn't have played their clarinets for most of his career. Your teacher did not steer you wrong. Your new clarinet will be more than adequate to carry you as far as you want to go. Enjoy your new instrument and don't worry about what others have to say when they clearly don't know what they're talking about. Trust your own judgment in this case. (The ones who are giving you a hard time have probably never even played a Selmer.) My advice is, just let it go, keep a low profile, work hard and play the best you can. The novelty of ragging you will soon wear off. After that, you probably won't hear much about your instrument from the other clarinetists (especially if you can beat some of them in auditions). The most important ingredient in your playing is you. If you stick with the clarinet and master it, you'll have something you can enjoy the rest of your life. Don't let someone who obviously knows very little about equipment (and is apparently nasty into the bargain) take that away from you or spoil the joy you have in your new clarinet.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Elenna
Date: 2002-02-27 09:39
I was told the same thing, but what I discovered was that most people couldn't tell the difference just by the listening to me. Most presumed I played R13s unless they looked closely at the instruments. My Selmer pair served me very well for years, although I have now made the switch to Buffet. Don't let people's attitudes affect your enjoyment of music. The important thing is whether you are happy with the instrument and with the sound you are making.
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Author: Roger
Date: 2002-02-27 12:09
Selmer makes excellent clarinets. So does Buffet. Clarinets are not consistent. You can get a dog made by any manufacturer. If you teacher says the instrument is ok, it may be your playing---which undoubtedly will improve with time. More likely, it is just a bunch of ignoramouses harrassing you. Do not worry about it. Enjoy yourself and your instrument.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2002-02-27 12:24
There are some top clarinetists today using Selmers. (Check their website) It is not what you play, but what you do with it! Don't give it a second thought, just keep practicing.
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2002-02-27 13:13
The tone you produce and how well you play depends on the following factors, listed in order from most important to least important:
(1) The player - you.
(2) The reed.
(3) The mouthpiece.
(4) The instrument.
Owning the most expensive, most refined clarinet in the world won't make up for deficiencies in the other three factors, especially the first.
You've got a good instrument and presumably a good mouthpiece as well. Extrapolating from you parents' and teacher's willingness to get you that instrument, you must be a competent player. You probably know how to select a decent reed. So, the only problem you seem to have is that you listen to immature, insecure teens who can only feel good about themselves by putting others down. (There are some adults that are this way too.) Stop listening to them and continue working on Factor Number 1 and you should be on your way to getting whereever you want in the clarinet world.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-02-27 14:34
The bottom line is YOU. If you are happy with the horn don't worry about what other say or think.
The only way that you can be put down is to agree with what is being said.
I have a selmer and a buffet and they are both fine thank you very much.
I'll give you $20 for the selmer sight unseen.
bob
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-02-27 14:43
Amen to all of the above. Several generations ago I started on an old metal "Regent". My daughter (age 48) still has it. In our age money was at a premium, the world was in a turmoil, and people were pretty much the same as they are now--envious of other and self important. Then we had a "magic thing" called the draft board, and all of a sudden many became suddenly equal. From what I read in the papers they are thinking of bringing back the draft. Hope the R13's go first.
Bob A
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Author: William
Date: 2002-02-27 14:50
Don't worry, just keep practicing. When "they" all hear you playing better than "they" can, "they" will all want to switch to Selmer. Only ignorant elitists think that the brand of instrument makes all the difference and is more important than individual character and talent. Most players on this website play the brand and model of clarinet which allows them the greatest ease of musical expression--not necessarily "who" plays "what." And that is also true in the professional ranks. I just met someone on eBay that was in the process of selling all of his Buffet equipement because he was "signing on" to be a Yamaha representative. He said he "loved" the new pro line A and Bb Ys, but would "miss" his Buffet Prestigue 1193 bass clarinet. But more importantly, he is switching brands because he believes he can play better with the new brand, rather than the old.
Bottom line: Believe in your Selmer, play it proudly and as best you can--but if someday you find a clarinet that plays better, go for it because "you" want to and not because "they" want you to. Good Clarineting!!!!!
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-02-27 16:57
Commenting on what happened to you is tough, because it's almost like reassuring someone who has been criticized because of different physical appearance.
Whoever told you that your Selmer is a "heap of crap" and that you "should" have an R-13 is probably someone who cannot feel better within himself or herself, and thus tries to feel relatively better than you by making you feel worse. It's a very old technique used by people who can't think beyond themselves, and sometimes it seems to work for a while. In the long run, of course, such people wither, because they wind up stuck with only their own kind as friends. How awful! I believe it takes a really stupid person to even think "I'm better than you are, because I have _____________!" (fill in the blank with their choice of bigotry -- lighter skin, longer fingernails, a bigger house, an R-13, whatever). Remember: if you let them "get to you," they have won. So don't allow anyone, especially someone so small minded, to spoil your love of either your Clarinet or music. Play, play, play, and enjoy it all.
Other than that, there are many good comments above. I think William said things especially well.
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Author: Keil
Date: 2002-02-27 17:01
I believe the principal clarinetist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Michael Rusinek, plays on Selmer Clarinets and he's phenomenal!
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Author: sylvain
Date: 2002-02-27 17:20
So I Ricardo Morales last I've heard. And he defintely sounds good!
For get about the brand of your instrument. I know vey good college students aho still play their E11 and sound great with it.
You shoudl tell all these R13 kids to spend their time practicing instead of looking at your instrument.
-S
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Author: William Hughes
Date: 2002-02-27 17:32
What brand of bat does Barry Bonds use? What make of club does Tiger Woods play? What is the name of the tennis racket that Pete Sampras favors? I am sure somebody knows these things, but I don't, and I really don't think it matters all that much in appreciating the successes they have had in their respective sports.
Your parents and teacher have honored your accomplishments as a clarinetist, for which you should be proud and grateful. There's no one at your school who can or should take that away from you. (Let me guess: they also all wear Abercrombie or Hilfiger or whatever the newest trendy clothes might be.) The folks on this BB, who know better, certainly support you and your future musical endeavors.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2002-02-27 17:34
I encountered the same attitude when I was in high school: Buffet snobbery you could call it. I have made it a point since to avoid Buffet instruments. All of my soprano clarinets are Leblancs and my basses are Selmers. I've never been much inclined to "go along with the crowd". Must be a contrarian I guess.
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Author: Gary Shiozaki
Date: 2002-02-27 18:10
My son has a wonderful set of Buffet Festivals. He has a beautiful tone! But, when I play them....sounds like crap!!! Just remember, your clarinet sounds only as good as the musician playing it! Selmers are good horns. Don't worry about it. Just go out there and play to the best of your abilities.
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Author: Mike
Date: 2002-02-27 19:25
[Mike, who doesn't show his email address, decided to use a very vulgar term here - I checked if it had any meaning other than the vulgar one I knew, and it doesn't.
Mike - fair warning. Next time You'll be banned from the board for a while.]
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-02-27 21:09
Goodness me. There are times when I don't like being in the "wrong time zone". So there's nothing more I can add - excepting to say, if these clarinetists were to think more about human kindness than their own selfish world, turning up to band would be a joy.
I never had those negative experiences when I was in band at school, we all bought clarinets upon our teachers' recommendations and we all believed that these were good horns.
Despondant, like you - I too play Selmer, I also play LeBlanc - and I'm yet to play a Buffet I own, but I've played loaner Buffets (which I liked). I just prefer Selmers and Le Blancs purely for their lovely keywork. However, if you were to blindfold me, and then get Lawrence Dobell (Sydney Symphony's princiapl clarinet) to play a Selmer, Le Blanc or Buffet on the same piece - I'm sure I'd never be able to tell which is which.
My final comment is to Mike - offensive language is not allowed on this bulleting board - please DO NOT USE it in future.
Mark - please strike out his last word - to me at least it is highly offensive.
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Author: LynnB
Date: 2002-02-27 21:18
or leave it on and let the world see what Mike is made of. Be proud of your ignorance Mike, wear it like a banner!
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-02-27 21:19
I'm sorry, I'm not exactly familiar with that term. Is it perhaps an Austrailian vulgarity? You'd think that with my being in high school I'd hear just about everything.
As to my advice to the despondent:
I wouldn't wory about what any idiot who thinks they can tell you what to play or not says. I nfact, in most cases if an idiot tells me to do something I tend to do the opposite and I'm still here.
Do I hear an echo?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-02-27 21:21
David, I an very familiar with the term.
Then again, I was a sailor for 7 years ...
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Author: Jean Adler
Date: 2002-02-27 21:57
Oh, I could just smack some clarinetists. I own a Rossi which very few people are familiar with, so they assume the instrument isn't any good because they haven't seen one before. All I have to do is let them hold it and check the "action". All of a sudden my clarinet is looking pretty darn good and they are itching to play it. Only YOU can decide what is best for you. That goes for mouthpieces, reeds, and ligatures, not just instruments. Don't let them get you down...just keep practicing and pass them by. Playing better than them is the best revenge.
Hang in there and good luck,
Jean
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-02-27 22:45
Jean - I'll have to plead ignorance to the Rossi brand, but I'm always interested to see "unfamiliar" ones - where is it manufactured?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-02-27 23:47
Louis Rossi is a pretty well-known Chilean clarinetist who started making clarinets a number of years back. They've improved every year (the original keywork was a bit rough) and are now generally considered to be "up there" in quality and sound. See http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/Resources/Retail.html#R, scroll down a bit, and you'll find the link to his site ;^)
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Author: Sally Gardens
Date: 2002-02-28 01:20
And of course I get here too late to see just how vulgar the vulgar word was. ;-) The whole post must've been pretty bad, if you deleted all of it and not just the offending word.
As for the thread subject...nothing more I can add, other than another vote for ignoring the ignorant. Anytime anyone tries to make music (art, poetry, whatever) a form of in-clubbishness rather than doing it for the sheer love of it, it's time to say, "Thanks for the input," and walk away and go find some people who just want to make music. ;-)
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Author: DennisP
Date: 2002-02-28 02:08
I'll give you $25 for the Selmer sight unseen including S&H! A licorice stick is a licorice stick, you are it's master!
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Author: Jill
Date: 2002-02-28 02:11
Hey, it's not the instrument brand that counts--it's the player. Sounds like an ignorant person who made that rude comment to you. Or maybe he/she is just mean and wants to try to intimidate you. Don't let it happen. When I was a student, I made All-State orchestra and band, Governor's Honors, and other honor groups with a BUNDY!!!! Because that's what I had at the time! Now I have a professional Selmer model, and I have no Buffet envy. I am old enough to have confidence that I could play just about any instrument (in good condition) very well. It's mostly what's in your head, not in your hands. But yes, I agree--we clarinetists are a competitive bunch. Get used to it, and good luck!
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-02-28 02:41
Jill - I really do agree with your remarks, except:
we clarinetists are a competitive bunch. Get used to it
might more prudently have been phrased:
clarinetists can be competitive, but most of us are not
As to getting used to it - no way, I don't take bad attitude from anyone, except my siamese cat.
*hops of his soapbox*
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Author: Sneakers
Date: 2002-02-28 02:52
I remember going to a music store to try out some clarinets one day several years ago. One was a Selmer and the other was a R13. An employee of the store left the room while I played one and then the other. He couldn't tell which was which.
I play on a Selmer now and when I was in graduate school, I remember other clarinet players thinking my tone was inferior, only because I was playing on a Selmer. I guess it was my inferior tone that put me on first clarinet in both the orchestra and the wind symphony. Even though my tone still has some room for improvement, I constantly get compliments on how nice it is.
Selmer makes very good instruments!
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Author: Mark M
Date: 2002-02-28 03:48
I have four horns. All Selmers of late sixty vintage. Haven't found a Buffet yet that can beat em.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-02-28 15:14
I believe that the big name players; play what they play is due to the fact they are paid by a manufactor to promote there product. Why do you think they switch from one to another?
Play what feels good to you and what you can afford.
It's like the story of a young outstanding clarinetest who played on an old cheap horn. He went into a store and asked if a more expensive clarinet would make him any better. The store owner said "no, but it will make it easier for you to play"
Moral of the story-
only you can make you better.
peace
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-02-28 21:31
I chose Buffet because my hands are small and correct hand and finger positions were easier on the Buffet than on the Selmer. I sat right next to a Selmer player. We admired each other's instruments. Personal preference, I'd say. Instrument manufacturers produce different instruments in different years, so that one is better than the other in different years!
One can make you feel inadequate only if you have allowed it.
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Author: Alex
Date: 2002-02-28 23:30
In my opinion, it's not the clarinet thats diferent, it's the reed and mouthpiece. But i'm just a kid.
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Author: DaKid556
Date: 2002-03-01 00:15
If you really want to prove to them that's it not a heap of you-know-what, then beat them over the head with it and show them there's not one dent in it!:)
Seriously, stick with the Selmer, it'll serve you good.
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Author: beth
Date: 2002-03-01 01:23
Don't let the trolls interfer with your enjoyment of your new clarinet. It's a shame how how many are into "label" buying. My daughter consistently gets this attitude when she auditions in competition with her basic no-frills plastic selmer student grade oboe. "What it's not a Buffet! - you play on a piece of c**p". She consistantly blows the others away on that "dinky" instrument. It's what her teacher tells her - the instrument doesn't make the musican, the musican makes the instrument work for them. Enjoy, play your heart out, and just smile sweetly at the trolls as you blow em away.
Happy note - after a 2 year hiatus from the clarinet, my daughter's back playing one again and she still sounds sweet and it's on one of Mom's old ES Master Models from the 50's.
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