 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Snoink
Date: 2002-06-27 18:51
I have played the clarinet for a little more than a year now in private lessons. The clarinet I have now, a plastic Yamaha, is out of tune and doesn't have the best tone so my teacher wants me to upgrade to a new one. She has recommended the Buffet International and the E11. My dad on the other hand wants me to try out as many instruments as I can and to choose the best one. He also wants me to get a clarinet that will last me through college (I'm beginning high school in the fall) and hopefully longer. I am inclined to agree more with my dad.
Here's my question, what's instruments do you recommend, what are those instruments strengths and downsides, and what in the world is the Buffet International?
Thanks a lot.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-06-27 19:43
You're gonna get lots of replies to your last question, Snoink. I agree with your Dad about trying out as many horns as you can before making a decision... if, in fact, you need a new instrument. What really concerns me is your Yamaha being out of tune and not sounding so good - according to your teacher :|
Has your Yamaha been to the shop for a checkup recently? There could be many reasons for it being 'out of tune' other than being a bum horn. Yamahas generally are pretty good instruments.
What mouthpiece/reed setup are you using?
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Author: Paul
Date: 2002-06-27 20:32
You are not going to go wrong if you buy yourself a new wood Buffet, Selmer, Yamaha or Le Blanc. But before you do you may want to try these suggestions below;
1. Have your clarinet looked over by a very good repair person. Not one in a music store. Post where you live and someone will know of a great one in your area. I did this and it was like getting a brand new instrument. My tone and ease of play drastically improved and it only cost me $35.00
2. Buy a wood barrel and match it to a custom mouthpiece. Get a catalog from one of the big woodwind mail order houses and they sell wood Buffet & Selmer (and others) barrels by themselves. Then order several custom mouthpieces to try with your new barrel. Pick one you like the best and send the others back. People do this all the time. I played with a plastic clarinet with the above setup and my sound was 98% close to my new high-end wood Selmer. I went from a horrible Jr. High sound to a semi-pro sound within a hour.
My advice would be to try this for a year or two. If you're still into the clarinet then go big time. And if you do go big time make sure you try several instruments at the same time. Again, music stores will send you 3 clarinets to try at the same time. Find the one that sounds the best and send the other two back. Good luck and I'm glad you found the clarinet! Paul
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Author: Rene
Date: 2002-06-28 05:46
I second all of the above. Having tried the E11, I'd say that it is no upgrade from your clarinet. The Yamaha does play in tune in normal condition. Also you should first upgrade your mouthpiece.
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Author: Snoink
Date: 2002-06-28 05:48
My clarinet is the YCL20, my mouthpiece is a Vandoren B45, and I use Rico Royal size 3.5 for reeds. No, it hasn't been tuned recently. I don't see any reason to modify it in any way (except for the mouthpiece I got) because the clarinet is technically not mine; my parents rented it from a music store. Now they would like to buy me a nice clarinet that lasts for a long time. I would like some tips for what instruments to buy (and information about the International).
I hope this explains some stuff.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-06-28 07:43
Unless your teacher is inexperienced then I'd be taking him/her with you to the music shop when you "test drive" the clarinets. He/she would, surely, be able to give you good advice.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-06-28 13:44
The plastic Yamaha will last for a long time but one option(that you don't mention)which is for your parents to purchase it would lead to them paying too much for it compared to what they could buy one outright for elsewhere. Your Dad has the right idea but the procedure can take a lot of time, can be costly and could even lead to a choice you might later regret. (I know nothing about the Buffet Internationl and have not heard of it.) There is no easy solution or answer to your query....but a "good" barrel and mouthpiece on a good plastic clarinet is a reasonable compromise.
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Author: Paul
Date: 2002-06-28 15:36
Well if it's a rental that's a whole different story. Go out and buy a clarinet. It now comes down to price. What is your Dad willing to spend? Once you've determind your price range go to it. Again, try-out several of the same model. They'll all sound different. Also, there's been several chats about Vandouren m/p in the past and the general conclusion is. . . you can do better. Now you have to shop like you're buying a car. Don't rush. Keep a note book with you and write down your likes and dislikes about each horn you try. After you've filled up a few pages then buy one. Good luck! Paul
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Author: Josh
Date: 2002-06-28 15:37
The Buffet International is the exact same thing as the E-11, which was marketed a few years ago exclusively in the States. It has the word "international" engraved in script where the "E-11" usually is, and comes in a soft backpack case.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2002-06-28 15:43
Snoink,
Buffet International can be compared to the E11, with minor modifications. It is a student instrument. Buffet Crampon in France makes many parts; Schreiber in Germany assembles the instrument. The intrinsic quality progression of the wood is R-13, E-13, International, E-11.....V
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Author: Rob Bell
Date: 2002-06-28 17:26
Hi,
I owned a YCL-20 then moved onto the Buffet R-13, you should find it a good progression!
Rob
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Author: Jean
Date: 2002-06-28 17:32
How long do you plan to play? What is your price limit? One of my teachers says to avoid the intermediate instruments. If you can afford it and are responsible I would go with a professional line instrument. If you are able to take care of your horn it will last many, many years. I have the clarinet my dad played in the 1950's and it is still a beautiful instrument.
If you are going to play in marching band I would keep the plastic one for marching and "save" the good horn for indoors. I play on a Rossi (rarely suggested here because of price) and it is fabulous. We are having terribly hot and humid weather this summer. SO, for a concert outdoors last night I played on one of my less valuable instruments. Humidity makes everything swell.
Anyway, try as many instruments as you can. Once you narrow that down try a number of the same model horn. It is amazing how different they all sound. If you are buying used or off the net make sure there is a return policy. Buying sight unseen can wok out fine, but when it doesn't it is a disaster.
And don't let anyone tell you you MUST have one brand or another. You are the one who will be playing it, and I imagine your parents paying for it. I have someone help me when I try instruments. They hand them to me and I don't know which instrument it is. That way I have no bias. Can your teacher do this for you?
Good luck, this is a fun process.
Jean
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