 The Fingering Forum
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Author: Len
Date: 2002-11-05 21:12
I would like to start playing clarinet (b flat soprano). I am a grade seven flute player. Any suggestions where i should start, I know nothing about clarinets...
What clarinet do you suggest, what reeds etc
Any info would be great. Thanks v. much
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Author: Gnomon
Date: 2002-11-05 22:39
You are best to start with a plastic/resonite student model. The manufacturers Selmer, Yamaha, Buffet and LeBlanc all make good student clarinets.
Start with a soft reed such as a 1.5 or a 2. Vandoren are good.
Practice for at least 15 minutes every day, as you need to build up the muscles in your cheeks, much more so than when you play the flute. If you miss a day, you will find your muscle control deteriorates, something that does not seem to happen with the flute.
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Author: Benny B
Date: 2002-11-05 23:24
Cool!
I recommend getting a 5RV"lyre" vondoren mouthpiece(if you have the $, its $50), a rovner ligature, and rico 2-21/2 reeds. Or you can just use a school mouthpiece:\. Any student clarinet is fine. Before you begin playing get the mouthpiece and reeds and try to to blow just through the mouthpiece to see how it feels. When you progress you should be able to get a F# out of the mouthpiece. HAVE FUN!!
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Author: Theboy_2
Date: 2002-11-06 17:11
i've played clarinet for a few years now and i've played a few different clarinets. in my experience, Artley isn't a very good manufacturer. i've never actually played a yamaha, but Selmurs are very good. i play on a Bundy clarinet. now reeds, best bet are Vandorens. Vandorens will last longer then ricos and you'll use Vandorens until your pro. now mouthpieces, i'd suggest just using the mouthpiece that comes with it. no sence buying one if you don't own a Clarinet. but if you really want to, i'd recommend a Vandoren B45. it's expensive, but gives a great round sound, it's good for jazz. i hope this helps you. remember, practice!
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Author: spf
Date: 2002-11-07 16:31
Good start here. Most reviews of Rico reeds I have seen DO NOT recommend the yellow box reeds. The blue box are OK.
My suggestion is get a good moughpiece, and unless you have $ to burn, rent for awhile. When it comes time to buy, try as many as you can and buy the one YOU like best. Models from the "big four" is your best bet (Yamaha, Buffet, Selmer, LeBlanc). Good site here, but another resource that has a clarinet emphasis is:
www.woodwind.org
Read and do some searches will get you LOADS of advice on this subject.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-11-09 02:23
Do not get plain Rico reeds. They are not very good. If you want to stay with that maker, try the Rico Royals or Mitchell Luries. The latter are excellent.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2002-11-09 02:25
The Hite Premier and Fobes Debut are excellent student mouthpieces and they don't cost a bundle. I would recommend immediately replacing the mouthpiece unless you happen to choose a Yamaha clarinet. Their beginner mouthpiece is rated as one of the good ones.
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Author: sÖmeone
Date: 2002-11-17 03:53
I myself play a yamaha clarinet so i know its definitely better than the other ones(not 100% though...). The whole system is much more flexible especially for the right fingers because they don't cling or clash on the alternate c# notes but the problem will come when you actually need to use the c# note. And thats why you should actually start
by practising long tones, all the scales and stuff....
i recommend 1.5-2.5 rico royal or concert reeds. No soft reeds because on my opinion they sound terrible and you'll face problems getting a good grip on the instrument's tone in the future. Reeds ranging from 3-3.5 or softer reeds in the thick blank category will give better sound but try those only if you think you can handle them. They sound a lot more better on higher notes. Play the concert f# note on the mouth piece and barrel on only and see if its in tune. If it is, then you're already starting to get a good hand on it. Practise everyday, YOU HAVE NO CHOICE.....haha.
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Author: NNN clarinetist
Date: 2002-12-06 15:43
i suggest beginner to use 1.5/2 reed
yamaha sound is accurate but of course buffet is the best i feel
concentrate when u practise the mouthpiece during u warm up
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