 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kessie
Date: 2006-12-31 16:15
Hello
I have not yet attempted to play a clarinet, but having just turned 40, I think it's time to try. I have about 200 dollars to spend (Paypal gift certificate) and am not likely to be able to upgrade for quite some time.
I'm wondering if the beginner or student clarinets I see on ebay are easier to play. I'm tempted to purchase a "better?" used clarinet but don't want to find myself unable to produce any noise, never mind a song.
I'm drawn to the older models because they're so beautiful, and I don't mind a bit of character (scratches etc), but again am unsure of difficulty of playing. Also if I would be better off with wood or plastic.
Should I ever progess beyond Mary Had a Little Lamb I hope to play Swing/Blues/Jazz.
I anyone has any information I'd be grateful. I've been ploughing through ebay lost for days now, and I don't want to give up and buy curtains or something...
Thanks
Kessie
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2006-12-31 16:28
I'd suggest something different. First, find a teacher and then have the teacher help you rent a clarinet. You'll get the guidance you need, discover whether you and the clarinet are likely to coexist and get an instrument that is playable. A $200 used clarinet in good condition is indeed playable but you're buying blind. If you want to buy, I'd go for something about $125 and use the other $75 for repairs, music books, reeds, etc.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-12-31 16:53
If you do plan to buy a used plastic student model, play safe and go for the big names (in my order of preferrence):
Yamaha,
Buffet,
Vito/Leblanc/Normandy,
Artley/Armstrong,
Selmer USA/Bundy/Buescher.
If you can find one of these in good condition well within your $200, still have it checked over by a repairer, or buy from a reliable source. Look on the classified ads here as well.
Having not lived in Edmonton since late 1983 (Clairview and Hermitage), I don't know of any woodwind specialists in or around the city.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-12-31 17:18
bear in mind most of the clarinets you buy off of the auction site will need repairs, regardless of the stated condition. many of the sellers are clueless. most of the clarinets i get that way need full overhauls , which would run $200 or so on up at most music stores.
so be real careful if you buy one from the auction site.
bennett's advice is sound - find a clarinet teacher to assist you.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
Post Edited (2006-12-31 17:21)
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Author: sylvangale
Date: 2006-12-31 19:20
Try Clarinuts (a board sponser): http://www.clarinuts.com/clarinuts/pages/ClarinetItems.asp
All their clarinets are restorations that are warrantied to be in good playing condition with a nice return policy. They have clarinets for under $200 and some nicer looking ones just a little above that. I bought a Vito there which was in wonderful condition with new padding and nice feeling balanced keywork.
I'm sure there should be other places that specialize in restoring used clarinets to almost new, or better condition that others can suggest.
Regards,
Stephen
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Author: tedm
Date: 2006-12-31 19:26
we're all beginners, and got one from a private party (after local store checked it out), and 2 off the auction site.
all 3 are fine, I recommend the Artley 17S, as you can find them for $50-$75 in perfect working condition, and ~$200 or so new.
Buy from someone who will let you take to a local shop for checkup, and return if not in perfect playable condition.
Paid quite a bit more for the buffet than the artley, but can't really tell a difference in tone or playability.
2 Artley 17S & 1 Buffet B12 Crampon
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Author: kal
Date: 2006-12-31 20:00
Wait, $244 for a used plastic Vito?! You gotta be effing kidding me! Clarinets like this are all over That Auction Site, practically new and abandoned by eighth graders, going for 20-50 bucks. Every day.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-12-31 20:06
at 40, you are just a kid
mid life crises come MUCH later.
If you rent an instrument, be sure (with your teacher) that it is perfect playing condition. Otherwise, you won't know that its not you making errors.
Good luck to you.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-12-31 20:06
There you go!
And that'll leave you with plenty left over for a decent mouthpiece, some reeds, tutors, lessons AND a good checkover for the clarinet in question.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: jmcgann
Date: 2006-12-31 20:31
Consider a new Selmer Prelude (hard rubber) for about $200 (so you have no worries about pads/repairs etc.) and scrimp up another $60 for a good mouthpiece (maybe Vandoren 5RV Lyre) and $15 or so for a box of 2.5 (or 2) Vandoren V12 reeds.
One of the best words of wisdom I've stumbled upon was that given the choice between a so-so clarinet and great mouthpiece/reed combo or vice versa, most would opt for the great mouthpiece/reed combo. A 'real' mouthpiece will make a world of difference IMHO.
www.johnmcgann.com
Post Edited (2006-12-31 20:36)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-01-01 00:08
Come on now - a Selmer Prelude?
Hardly a clarinet that's going to last beyond a few months, is it? And then it's only use will be converted into a table lamp at best.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Kessie
Date: 2007-01-01 02:56
Thanks everyone for all the advice...
I'd be proud to be a clarinet player after meeting this helpful community.
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2007-01-01 04:25
When I first started I bought a plastic Vito on Ebay for $42 and had a few pads replaced and the horn adjusted for another $50. Maybe I was lucky, but I see these Vitos on Ebay all the time, and it is a really good and good-playing student horn.
You can also fine a Leblanc Noblet (wood) on ebay for the $200 you want to spend and this is an excellent horn also.
If you want something new and could spend a little more, look at a Forte. It's an excellent horn and buying new would give you more peace of mind.
www.forteclarinet.com. It's $400.
Welcome to the board.
Leonard
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2007-01-01 10:29
Kessie,
Why is this thread titled ...Mid-life Crisis...? I'm not sure I understand. Help me please as what I think of as a mid-life crisis is something completely different.
HRL
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2007-01-01 12:06
The biggest thing that hit me about this thread ... gee .. I"m 40 too !! I must be in a mid-life crisis too (probably since the mid 30s though).
But clarinuts is really good. and if you can get a clarinet off of ebay and have it checked out / repaired than that a good way to go.
Just be careful and make a good decision. You normally have to eat all the shipping fees to and fro, so if you don't like something your unrecoverable costs can go up quite quickly. I think it's better money and time spent to buy from a reputable place that has an instrument in playable guaranteed condition than taking a chance.
Plus, if you haven't played clarinet and purchase from a reputable place, then you know the clarinet works and it might be you having a problem with something - rather than the other way around. Unless you work with a teacher too (as suggested)
Have fun .. i think i'm having mid-life crisis starting ...
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Author: jmcgann
Date: 2007-01-01 15:50
Quote:
Come on now - a Selmer Prelude?
Hardly a clarinet that's going to last beyond a few months, is it? And then it's only use will be converted into a table lamp at best.
Well, Chris, mine's held up fine, A/B'ed against a great vintage R13 by a great well known jazz player who said "maybe a little dull, but fine for the first four years or so"- good bang for the buck, I'd say, compared to laying out the same dough for an older horn with possibly worse intonation and response and repadding to do etc.
...the opinions I express are my own and not necessarily yours Happy New Year!
www.johnmcgann.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-01-01 17:17
You could have paid a lot less than $200 for exactly the same clarinet without the word 'Selmer' stamped on it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2007-01-01 18:13
Looks like the same horn under another name for about $109.87 at Wal Mart/Sam's Club. Eu
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Author: Kessie
Date: 2007-01-01 18:58
"Why is this thread titled ...Mid-life Crisis...? I'm not sure I understand. Help me please as what I think of as a mid-life crisis is something completely different."
Mid-life crisis because I think there are times when we look around and wonder why we haven't tried some of the things we wanted. I'm happy to be 40, but I do think turning past my thirties triggered something, and when looking for something to purchase with this little lump of money, it made sense to put it towards doing something I've always wanted to do.
I remember the first time I heard Benny Goodman (not knowing even what instrument he was playing) and thinking "This is my pitch, my timbre"-- if that makes any sense. If I can produce something resembling that tone even once, my 200 dollars will be well spent I think.
Happy New Year Everyone!
And again thanks for all the help.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-01-01 23:34
Well, a clarinet is always a safer choice than a motorbike or a red sportscar!
I've got 5 years and 7 months to go before I hit 40. Maybe I'll get myself a classic big Citroen (DS 23 Pallas or another CX 2500 GTi Turbo 2) if they haven't all rusted away by then.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2007-01-01 23:53
With 2007 I too have reached a mid-life crisis. I'm tempted to change my 'sign-on' from Bob A to 'RA' as it seems to have grabbed me this last year. Bits and pieces are seeming to fail quicker than anticipated, although I AM passed my 'biblical' use-by date. 82 and holding.
Dave S said I can always sell my bass and 2-20 B&H and get a trumpet. That would take me down to three fingers of one hand.Suggestions (1-quit) (2-try a trombone[did and had shoulder problems])
(3-try the oboe--then all I'd have to do is sit around for a year and learn to make reeds that work.
Bob A
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2007-01-02 01:18
Well, Chris . . . if your primary choices have rusted away, you can always go classic with a big black (were they any other color?) Traction Avant . . . or save on the high cost of gas with a 2CV, leaving you enough leftover cash to put together a matched pair of Prelude lamps! Eu
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-01-02 01:46
I've already got a black Traction Avant, an HY pickup and an Ami 6, and we've owned too many 2CVs (and Dyanes) in the past - I need something to lug my bari sax around in! But it's the big Citroens that I like best, but I'm definitely not going for another XM (as my last two let me down regularly), I don't like the C5 but wouldn't mind trying a C6. I'll stick with my old Volvo for now.
Nah, a Buffet Prestige basset horn ought to be my next big buy.
One day.
I've just bought a Moog Theremin off the famous auction site which should be interesting when I get it - a non-contact instrument!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: msboyd13
Date: 2007-01-02 08:09
Hi all
I too just turned 40 and have taken up clarinet again after 25 years. Actually I don't know how I managed to live without it for all these years. My sister sent me a clarinet for my 40th birthday (a couple of months ago) and I have been playing daily ever since. The clarinet is not an amazing model (Armstrong 4001) but I bought a new mouthpiece and ligature (Vandoren B40 and Vandorden Optimum) and my playing has got much better. I think you should have your own clarinet even if it's not the best model out there. The most important thing is that you start playing and devote as much time as you can to it.... You'll be amazed how much progress you can make in even a very short time.
Good luck and long live 40-year-old 'new' clarinetists!
Michael
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Author: buedsma
Date: 2007-01-02 08:55
a lot of reaction on the midlife crisis :
Is there a relation between clarinet players mental disposition and a more serious attack of the midlife questions ??
If so , maybe another thread is necessary
The physical part : collecting GAS
The mental part : ??
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2007-01-02 13:17
Wow, Chris! What a guy! All those Citroens! And a theremin as well. The only Citroen I ever had was an Ami 6, which I briefly had in a 3-way swap to get a Daf Daffodil back in the 60's.
My 12th grade science fair project was a tube-type theremin built from a Popular Electronics magazine schematic. I even learned to play a few tunes on it and could make lots of those outer space sci-fi movie sound effects with it. Unfortunately, I was beat out for the blue ribbon by the ubiquitous Van de Graf generator a couple of tables down.
Eu
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Author: Cindyr
Date: 2007-01-03 01:02
Hi: Upon the advice of this thread, I have purchased a few Vandoren 2.5 Reeds, after having played with Rico 2's for the past year. With this change, I see an improvement. It sounds like the next logical step would be to upgrade my mouthpiece. I currently play a Selmer Bundy, which I had overhauled, with it's original mouthpiece.
Question: what is a good resource to go to to order this? Price ranges seem to be $80 and up. I would like to order a good one, but not excessive, for this clarinet, because I may upgrade within the year.
I also picked up a copy of the Yamaha Advantage Clarinet Book #2, and like it so far, it is for individual instruction as well as band, some of the others are focsed solely on the band method.
CR
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Author: shmuelyosef
Date: 2007-01-03 01:31
#44 or #264 at http://www.clarinuts.com/clarinuts/pages/ClarinetItems.asp would be within your budget and probably perform just fine...you know, however, that you will have to buy reeds on an ongoing basis. I figure that it is about a nickel per hour...maybe even a dime.
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2007-01-03 02:08
further degression - on my 40th my wife gave me a surprise b-day party - 1 month late (and on my mom's bday). It took me about 5 minutes to figure it out.
I didn't get a clarinet or anything like that .. but a nice shed for the backyard to put the lawn tractor in. It was a nice shed .. could even do some wood-shedding in it (regression back to playing)
as for rubber clarinets (further degression) I saw an ad last night for beer .. but they installed a rubber floor and the bounce the beer off the floor. Do those rubber clarinets bounce off floors back up into ones hands if dropped ??
further midlife (or late ) crisis. A friend of mine - about 62 just picked up the clarinet last year. One of those rubber ones. It plays really nice, great keywork. I don't recall the brand though but he loves it.
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Author: Cindyr
Date: 2007-01-03 13:12
Hi: Thanks for the website information. I also could use a source to purchase books such as "Play Clarinet Today." It looks to me like refurbished clarinets are competively priced, I tried a Noblet yesterday that was offered to me for $450.00, and I see a similar one on the site for about $100.00 less.
CR
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Author: tedm
Date: 2007-01-03 15:19
I'm also looking for instruction book sources. Specifically the green 2nd book of Standards of Excellence. Thanks.
2 Artley 17S & 1 Buffet B12 Crampon
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-01-03 16:41
A fair numkber of music stores dealing with rentals and beginning band instruments wil carry tie Standards of Excellence books. I think you would probably be better off with the Rubank methood books for clarinet, though.
Jeff
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Author: Cindyr
Date: 2007-01-03 21:03
I agree with Jeff on the Rubank's. I still have my original Rubank's from High School, price $1.00 (I'll take the "40!") and use it for scale practice. But I find it tedious, so I purchased the Yamaha book to add some variety. I have the Standard of Excellence books for Alto Sax, they're ok, but I liked the Yamaha approach of how they combine music theory in each lesson better. Website: www.yamahaadvantage.com.
I found my local music store to have the basics, but they are oriented towards school aged students, and guitars and drums, so once beyond that, I'll need to go to the web.
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Author: tedm
Date: 2007-01-03 21:13
Thanks all, If anyone has good online links for Rubanks or Yamaha beginner clarinet books, I'd be very interested. Amazon and Amazon used seem to have few or none.
2 Artley 17S & 1 Buffet B12 Crampon
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-01-03 22:31
"If anyone has good online links for Rubanks or Yamaha beginner clarinet books, I'd be very interested. Amazon and Amazon used seem to have few or none."
http://www.vcisinc.com/clarinetmusicmethods.htm
Items 236, 237 and 238 on that page. They are fairly inexpensive, so I don't imagine that there is much of a used market
Jeff
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