 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: miclew
Date: 2013-04-30 19:11
I have been asked to play in the university orchestra (they don't have enough students for a full orchestra so they are recruiting community players). I have to play an A clarinet which I have never done. I know that I can use my same mouthpiece which is a help but I need some advice of finding an "okay" A clarinet. I can't afford a top of the line. My bought my current Bb off of eBay several years ago and lucked up with a nice wood one that needed very little work. I looked on eBay and everything (right now at least) are cheap plastic chinese models or top of the line models that I can't afford.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-04-30 19:24
Are you playing 2nd clarinet or 1st? What pieces are they playing? Maybe you can transpose the A clarinet parts and play them on a Bb clarinet (or get someone to write them out for you - a lot of the standards are published with alternate Bb parts). If the A parts are easy enough, you could use them as practice in sight-transposition. Very likely only part of the program will call for an A clarinet.
I've read a few recommendations of decent A clarinets that are priced well below the cost of an R13 or equivalent "top of the line." If you use the search utility, you might run across some of them. When you refer to "top of the line models that [you] can't afford," are you talking about new instruments or used ones? What kind of price limit do you need to stay under?
Karl
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2013-04-30 20:56
You'd be hard pressed to find "student" model A clarinets, but there are some intermediate model A clarinets. One I have seen around is the buffet E11 A clarinet.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2013-04-30 21:14
Used models of Leblanc and Noblet clarinets seem to often sell for very modest prices these days and can be highly recommended.
Age is generally not an issue as most A clarinets get far less use than their Bb equivalents.
Just keep checking "that auction site" or possible some local dealers.
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2013-04-30 21:44
I believe Ridenour sells his Hard Rubber A clarinets for a fairly reasonable price. They aren't as good as Buffet\Selmer\Yamaha (although that can meet serious debate), but they are great for people in your situation.
I've never tried them extensively myself, but I know some people with bass clarinets from him that are happy customers (doublers, especially).
A good option for something New that you can easily send back to Ridenour for adjustments and that sort of thing.
When the other option is reading down a half step... =)
And yes- check that auction site, and that craig....(not sure if I can say that one on here either?). Many times kids parents will buy an A for their high school kid, then the kid goes on to college majoring in something else and the kid or the parent are left selling that clarinet for a pretty low price.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2013-05-01 00:00
What is your budget for an A clarinet? My experience with eBay (there is no prohibition against the name, BTW -- just against referencing active auctions) is that w/regard to (1) fast acquisition, (2) good quality, (3) low price, you can usually get two out of three. If you can be patient, diligent in checking out the auction daily, and willing to pay a small premium over the normal eBay price, you can find a decent A. But you'll have to invest some time. To find out if it's worth your time, try looking at completed auctions to see what A clarinets have actually sold for recently. If they are all outside your price range, you may have to reconsider your range or resign yourself to transposition.
A couple of thoughts. Particularly over the next couple of months, as colleges reach the end of their academic year, you may find some A clarinets turn up on eBay and elsewhere as graduates realize they have no future use for that A they thought they just had to have when they were freshmen or sophomores. Also, if there are any colleges with decent music programs nearby, check with their clarinet professor. Ditto for any top notch private teachers in your area. They may know of an instrument for sale.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2013-05-02 15:35
Check w. conductor; perhaps the university has an "A" they can lend you.
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Author: davyd
Date: 2013-05-02 22:17
First option: find out what pieces need the A, and get the parts far enough in advance to work out the transposition, whether visual or written. Second option: look into borrowing an A from the school. Whoever recruited you for this gig should be able to introduce you to the relevant faculty member.
Unless you plan on being a frequent orchestra player, at any level, there's no need to buy an instrument.
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Author: miclew
Date: 2013-05-08 18:38
Thanks for all of the good advice! I will keep watching eBay. The school WILL let me borrow an A but I would rather try and find my own. I won't be starting until the fall so I have plenty of time. I have a daughter that will be a 3rd year piano major and another daughter that will be a 1st year piano major in the fall so they are really excited about me playing in the orchestra and possibly in the wind ensemble. Right now I am just practicing to get myself back in good shape.
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Author: William
Date: 2013-05-08 20:51
A friend of mine recently bought a Tom Ridenour low C bass clarinet and it is a "top drawer" instrument. I have not tryed any of Tom's soprano clarinets but they are probably of equal quality, knowing how finicky TR is about his stuff. Worth a try,
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