 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Allen Godin
Date: 2002-11-23 02:58
This is a contimuation of my earlier post about a used Selmer/Bundy clarinet that I purchased from eBay.
It arrived today, and there was no doubt it was used, but still in good condition. It came with a standard Bundy mouthpiece that should probably be replaced, and thanks to you great people I will know what to look for.
It has one pad missing, and some rough cork on one of the tubes, but I made a call to my daughter's music teacher, after getting a new read and a care kit at our small town music store, and he says it sounds great. Certainly a steal as he put it.
I have ordered some books to gain more knowledge about clarinets, and I hope that I won't have to ask too many more questions on this board.
I do have another question now though. What do you recommend as high quality reeds for a student, and I know this will be hard, but please try to be objective. She doesn't need the very best there is.
The worst part was the case. It is basically in one piece, but has seen better years. The handle was a total loss, so it will be replaced. The best news. The clarinet is playable, and will soon be perfect again.
Thanks again for being so helpful, a happy, surprised little girl thanks you too. Any other helpful comments are much appreciated.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2002-11-23 05:10
That's great! I'm not a pro, but I'll give you what reeds I used and how I progressed. I started with Rico reeds (I believe they were 2.5), then progressed to Rico Royale, then Vandoren, and then Vandoren V12 (where I am presently). I went to Rico Royale after playing around a 3 Rico.
I'm not sure what mouthpiece to replace it with. I think I heard the name "Vandoren 5RV Lyre" being thrown around as for a better than stock mouthpiece. Or the Debut I heard was good (these I heard from earlier posts). Matter of fact I don't even know who makse the Debut. Greg Smith maybe?
BTW, don't just up and buy a mouthpiece and hope it works, go through the proccess of trying a few each of different models. I'm doing that now just to make sure I get a good mouthpiece.
GL and congradulations on the purchase.
Alexi
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2002-11-23 05:28
The Rico 2.5 is the standard rite of passage reed for all beginners. No, not really. But I'll betcha the majority of players here who first played the clarinet between 1970 and now started out on the Rico 2.5. I started on Ricos, moved to Mitchell Luries, then regular Vandorens, and now Vandoren V12s. I'll try Gonzalez FOF reeds next.
A mouthpiece is such an individual thing that you'll get 10 different suggestions from as many people. Me, I started on the Selmer HS*. A teacher can give better suggestions, but you probably can't go wrong with the Hite Premier, Fobes Debut, Vandoren B45 or the Selmer I mentioned.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-11-23 05:52
Don't get Ricos (body mutilation is a rite of passage in some countries, too ... but I think we can skip some of those rites ...) - the Rico (plain) reed is junk. Rico <b>Corporation</b> makes some fine reeds, though ...
Reeds are so important that skimping is futile; go with at least a Mitchel Lurie or some other decent brand.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-11-23 06:33
The standard Bundy mouthpiece (Goldentone?) is not a bad starter, in my opinion. Play that with a suitable reed for a while and, as the chops develop, your daughter will be better able to discern differences and choose a more suitable mouthpiece. Everything seems to be going well for you and your daughter so far, Allen. Congratulations!
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-11-23 10:56
In my opinion,ronb's suggestions are quite appropriate. Until the student has gotten the feel of the horn there is not much point in trying to "improve" anything unless her teacher suggests something. I also think Rico's are OK, but almost any reeds your small town store stocks will be OK. After 6mos or a year then start getting fussy......if your daughter is still interested. You can't buy chops...
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Author: Hank
Date: 2002-11-23 12:50
Hi,
All advice above is terrific!
As a former band director, I knew that the Bundy was a pretty much bullet-proof starter clarinet that would stay in adjustment, provide good service, and could always serve as the backup or marching band clarinet when a student gets the "better" instrument. In fact, I have a Bundy as my "very tough conditions" clarinet although I went a little further and got a terrific Mazzeo so I would have one in the stable for preservation sake.
About the case though. I never thought a green case was all that cool at the time but there are some very interesting models out now for not too much. The Protec comes to mind and there are even backpack models available that are way cool.
Concerning reeds and mouthpieces, Ricos (I know, a lot of folks consider them junk) are usually playable for a beginning student and readlily available. I'd not be in a big rush to get too sophistcated here right away. In the mouthpiece area, the HS* is a tad too closed for young students until the embouchure is better developed; if you stay with Selmer, an HS** is a better choice. There are many great starter mouthpieces now available from Yamaha, Hite, Forbes, etc. As mentioned before, try a few and the best will be pretty obvious.
It is really great to get someone started on clarinet, isn't it!
Hank
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-11-23 13:55
the most important part of the clarinet is the cheapest. The reed. This can make or break a player. the differance in cost between junk a great is maybe a buck. so go for it. just show her how to take care of the reed. i.e. do not leave it on the mouthpiece when it is not being used. buy a protective carrier for the reed. as a matter of fact besure she has at least three good reeds at all time so they can be rotated. one last point is to be sure to start her off with a low number reed i.e. 1 1/2 or a 2. Never ever start with a 4 or above.
have fun.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-11-23 14:15
Rico ROYAL reeds are a cut above the standard Rico and are, IMO, very good reeds for a beginner, particularly when coupled with a Hite Premier or Fobes Debut beginner mouthpiece. (With these mouthpieces, #2 is probably the best strength RR reed to start with). This is what our daughter's teacher (perhaps the best teacher for beginning students in the St. Louis area these days) recommended for her and the combination worked very well.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-11-23 14:26
I started both my daughters on Mitchell Lurie 2.5 reeds (made by Rico). They are reasonably priced, widely available, and work well. For some people they do wear out a bit faster, but they aren't expensive enough to worry about it.
My personal opinion of plain, bottom of the line Ricos is that they are junk. The surface is very rough and unpleasant feeling. They are not well processed and have a bad taste (though perhaps not all people can taste the processing chemicals).
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Author: Michael Blinn
Date: 2002-11-23 15:01
Hi Allen,
Congratulation on your new acquisition. I started with a Bundy forty years ago myself, and I think it's a good horn for a beginner.
Could I give you a case? I have a plastic Yamaha clarinet case that I do not use or need. It's in very good shape and would be ideal for your little girl.
Contact me if interested. I'm in Connecticut.
Mike Blinn
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Author: Matt Carlton
Date: 2002-11-23 15:16
I think that the Hite Premier is a wonderful starter mouthpiece. It's pratically a pro mouthpiece at a student price since it's made of plastic.
Rico Royal reeds should do fine. You really want a low cost reed but you don't want junk...so I'd stay away from Rico Orange Box or LaVoz. I sometimes see boxes of Vandorens on EBay, so there's an option. Just make sure the boxes are SEALED.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-11-23 19:12
i had a chance to play on a Selmer Goldtone ($12) it was great. I think i may buy one for myself.
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2002-11-25 12:50
Allen:
I'll second the ProTec case as a great, fairly inexpensive case. Not as cheap as the freebie offered up to you - which I'd recommend accepting! - but a good protective case for the money.
For reeds I'll go along with the Mitchell Lurie recommendation. A very good reed for not a lot of money, with good consistency between reeds.
It sounds like the Bundy mouthpiece that came with the clarinet will probably be acceptable for a while. I think I'd let your daughter start with that for 6 months or until her teacher thinks she needs a new one. At that point, a Hite Premier could be a good next mpc.
I would also recommend a clarinet stand for your daughter's instrument. You can buy a nice folding one for about $20 from just about any music mail order store (Woodwind & Brasswind, Music 123, ...) or you can make one yourself with a few pieces of wood.
Hope your daughter enjoys the instrument.
Matt
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