 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Spottythecat
Date: 2002-05-24 02:30
My son has been playing the clarinet for 1 year in band. He now wants to buy his own. His friend has an Artley, so all he talks about is getting an Artley, but we are not sure what brand to buy. We have been told there are plastic, composite and wood types and he should stick to the plastic if there is any chance of being in marching band. However, we have also been told that plastic and composite are the same thing. Any help will be appreciated.
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Author: Mitch A
Date: 2002-05-24 03:13
My sons are brass players in Jr high and HS bands. Attend one HS football game or a marching band practice and you'll understand why the kids all have two instruments. A cheaper band banger for the pep tunes in the stands and marching, and the better one for the stage (where good tone makes a difference). Plastic isn't better for marching band, it's just in case it gets folded in half (I've seen it happen to a t-bone) it won't take two mortgage payments to replace it.
For now, don't spend too much, $300.00 to 500.00 will do. The plastic horns and less expensive wood models such as the Buffett E-11, while frowned upon by some ar-teests, play fine for the younger musician all the way up to college, and on to doubling in the sax section in a swing band. I even know a pro player (jazz soloist) in his sixties still playing a no-name plastic clarinet dating from '65.
Selmer, LeBlanc, Buffett Effete are all fine makers and dealers such as Woodwind and Brasswind will let you preview up to three models at home before purchasing.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-05-24 06:30
My honest advice to you: if your son's been playing only for one year - I'd be a little hesitant racing out and purchasing a pro-model clarinet. Unfortunately, if you buy him a brand new R-13, then he looses interest, and gives up the clarinet (happens) then you won't get all your money back.
The top four brands (Yamaha, Leblanc, Selmer and Buffet) all make excellent student models (plastic) or "low-end" wood models. I had a plastic Yamaha for my school life, until my older brother bought me a Selmer, the Yamaha worked perfectly well for me when I was a beginner.
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Author: Dan Borlawsky
Date: 2002-05-24 12:36
All the above have given good advice. RE the Artley: steer clear! One of our local suppliers keeps sneaking them into our beginning program (I suspect he can buy them more cheaply), and their tone and intonation are quite inferior to the "big 4." Our overall favorite for our beginners is the Buffet B-12; the kids playing these have good pitch and a more mature sound right from the beginning.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-05-24 13:14
Quite apart from intonation, in plastic instruments the standard of manufacture of Artley, Armstrong & Accord (the three awful A's in my experience) IMNSHO is well below that of a Yamaha.
For a start Yamaha has screwed-in posts, undercut tone holes, effective glue for holding on key and tenon corks, and only high quality 'cork'. But unfortunately there have been problems with hinge rods rusting if they are not regularly oiled.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-05-24 23:30
Artley's are a headache and sometimes a pain in the backside. Avoid them PLEASE. Now, back to your regular programming.
jbutler
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Author: Kirk
Date: 2002-05-25 12:06
All above is excellent advice. Now to add my own to the mix ! I also played in jr high and stopped for reasons unremembered. 30 yrs later, I wanted to return to playing with very limited resources and not wanting to spend a month's rent on what may become a closet ornament. The advice I got here and was the best heard. Worth repeating, Buy the best you can afford under the circumstances. I play on an ebonite student model (no name brand) and it serves me wonderfully. If I want to get a better one I can, but I like the fact that I can play outside without any special setups or care.
For now, get him a student model since they are more tolerant of handling "errors".
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Author: Monica
Date: 2002-05-26 22:47
I with Mitch A. that you'll want a less valueable clarinet on the marching field.I play for Columbus North Marching/symphonic Band and I've seen tons of instrument accidents on the field(one happened to me!). i've seen kids instruments fall threw the risers because others decided to get up and get a drink.You can use a wooden clarinet.I agree with the others that your son has only played for a year and this is the period of judgement. Your child may not want to play by the time he makes it to high school(it happens alot!).i got a signet 100(i know it's old)for only $375 and i love it!so don't worry about brand names in particular, but more on which one sounds better...though i have been hearing alot about this r-13 and have thought about checking it out
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Author: George Lin
Date: 2002-05-29 04:31
I suggest that a plastic student model from any of the big names (in no particular order: Selmer, Buffet, Leblanc, Yamaha) will be your best alternative. Save the wooden clarinet model purchase until later if your son wishes to advance to an advanced level. Find a music store that will allow your son to try out different clarinets. The Buffet B-12 is a good one IMHO.
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Author: Spottythecat
Date: 2002-05-30 00:32
Thanks for everyone's advice, it was really helpful. We decided on a Buffet B-12 and he couldn't be happier!
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