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Re: Next Step?

Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2006-10-02 15:04

Sounds like your band director has given good advice; you ought to enlist the help of your (talented!) daughter's private teacher, too! In my experience the Buffet E11 is the best buy for the money as a step up clarinet -- and even as a lifetime insrument for someone who is not going to major in music! If you purchase one, see if you can get the dealer to substitute a longer (66mm) barrel for the one supplied with the instrument; it will not only improve the intonation, but often -- if you get the right one -- improves the tone quality, too.

Stepping up from the E11, I haven't seen enough difference between it and the E12 to justify the bump in price. The E13, I've been told, is an R13 factory "second". If you can afford it, a R13, RC or Festival are all fine instruments and should see your daughter all the way through college and beyond. Don't rule out a used "pro" level instrument either.

As you may have guessed, I'm a member of the Buffet "mafia". Although some very good players have been paid to play other marques, I still feel that Buffet is the best choice (among mass-produced instruments) for quality, value and resale. I also think they sound the best!

Larry Bocaner
National Symphony Orchestra (retired)

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