 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kieli-Anne
Date: 2002-11-29 19:39
Hi, Could anyone/everyone give be some suggestion/tips on certain
ways to play clarinet and basically on the different types of clarinets.
Also I'm hoping to get my own clarinet, and I was hoping that I could get some suggestions on which types/makes are best for someone's "first" clarinet.
From,
Kieli-Anne
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-11-29 21:57
You have just opened "Pandora's Box." Be prepared for seventeen different answers and 5-6 makers names for types. Then consider your bankbook and what will fit. Then ask yourself a couple of questions: 1.) What do I hope to do with this clarinet?
2.) How long will I be happy with it before I decide to change to (fit in your own instrument of choice)?
3.) Can I be happy with a "student" instrument to start with or must I have an "advanced" or "professional" one?
This may all be decided by who is paying for it, you or your folks.
In short, buying a clarinet is a lifetime experience constantly subject to change and desires. Like brands of toothpaste, all will do the job (once you define what the job is) and what you expect from it.
Knowing what I know now (age enters into considerations here) if you plan on sticking with this through high-school into college then as a minimum I would look at a Buffet E-11 fitted with a "Hite" mouthpiece and an Alexander Classique 2 or 2.5 reed. A new ligature wouldn't hurt but that can come later when you know what sound you are lookiing for.
Above all else, remember it is a purely personal selection process. Trial and error. Sounds good to you? then don't accept any advice from anyone until you are more experienced. You can waste a heck of a lot of money chasing the "perfect instrument" and "perfect sound."
Bob A
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Author: Rob
Date: 2002-11-29 22:37
I think your best bet is to talk to your private teacher. If you don't have one, I suggest finding one. While you can ask questions of very knowledgeable people on this website, they cannot possibly know what exactly it is you need. Each one of us is unique, and so our clarinet playing needs can only be understood by people who know our playing style and what we need in order to become better clarinet players.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2002-11-29 23:15
No matter what kind of clarinet you choose, take it to a tech or your instructor and have them check it out to see if it not only plays but plays easily. A faulty horn can give even an experienced player fits, but can cause bigginers to completely give up. Then you may want to check out a good, decent mouthpiece as most clarinets come with soom pretty lousy mouthpeices, even expencive ones. This is where you may have to go to a store and try as many types and models as you can as no two clarinets play the same and your chops differ from everyone elses.
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Author: Neil
Date: 2002-11-29 23:18
Hi, I'm not a professional but since you asked for suggestions, here's mine. The big names in clarinets are Buffet, Selmer, LeBlanc, and Yamaha. Amati has also gotten favorable comments on this board. Avoid anything from red china. Your options are basically to buy a new student instrument, buy a new advanced or professional one, or buy a used instrument. Check out this board's sponsors for their prices before you buy anything. A used instrument can be fine to use but it will need to be looked at by a technician, which could end up running the price up higher than it is worth. I suggest buying a new student instrument from one of the aforementioned companies. They cost quite a bit less than the professional models and supposedly are easier to play. Spend the money you save on lessons. Good luck.
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Author: Kieli-Anne
Date: 2002-11-30 15:27
Oh, ok, thanks everyone for your ideas/suggestions!! They are greatly appreciated!!
BTW, I have played Clarinet for 2 years, though I am asking these questions as I do not know very much about brands/types of Clarinets or techniques that are recommended by people who have played for many years.
And that is why I have turned to you.
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