 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Figgles
Date: 2010-01-26 22:28
Hello, everyone. I'm a 19 year old college student who'd like to really learn a woodwind instrument, so I'm trying to look into a clarinet. I played it briefly in the school orchestra, but my orchestra leader knew practically nothing about clarinets, and I didn't learn much, and switched to drumming. So now I drum, but want to play the clarinet! I liked how it felt and the sound.
Anyhow, I've been looking around into what clarinets to buy, gone to a couple music stores, but I know that all they want to do is sell you an instrument, and real advice is hard to come by.
I'd like to know what the safest bet for me would be, as far as the brand/type. I'm a beginner and don't have all that much money, but don't want to buy a $100 clarinet either. Nor a $1000 one..What would be a good student clarinet that I can practice with for a year or two and then move on, if I'm any good?
Thanks in advance!
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-01-26 22:57
Either of the Ridenour Lyrique models of Bb clarinets is excellent, and the 576BC is something you won't have to "upgrade" after a year.
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/clarinets.htm
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-01-26 23:12
Hi there Figgles,
The consensus seems to be to shop established brands like Buffet, Yamaha, Leblanc (including Noblet, Vito), Selmer (France and USA) or Boosey&Hawkes and, yes, Ridenour. Avoid unknown and very low priced Mailorder brands - they might be good (or not) but usually represent bad resale value if you plan to step up sooner or later and wish to sell your old instrument.
I found http://www.musicremasters.com/clarinuts/pages/selecting.asp a helpful guide, and they have some warranty and return periods for their (used and refurbished) instruments. (I am in no way affiliated with that business)
Better than mail-ordering, of course, would be "shopping in the flesh", preferrably accompanied by a teacher or an experienced clarinet player who have an idea what to look for.
That being said, I'd probably spring for a Vito or a wooden Noblet. I'm sure there a lot of other good instruments, but these are what I'm still using today, as trustworthy backup instruments.
Just as important as a decent clarinet is a good mouthpiece. Fobes Debut, Hite Premiere, Behn Ouverture are good and cheap.
Good luck hunting then!
--
Ben
Post Edited (2010-01-26 23:12)
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Author: Woop Woop
Date: 2010-01-26 23:21
Get a decent mouthpiece to start, and a decent ligature, as a beginner clarinettist those are probbaly the most important.
Have a look at leblanc Bliss clarinets. They may be a bit pricier than you might be looking for but are head and shoulders above clarinets of a similar price. They have been much more carefully designed and made than comparable clarinets like Buffet B12 or E11.
Woop Woop
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Author: Franklin Liao
Date: 2010-01-27 00:57
(I am not affiliated with any clarinet maker or seller)
Someone already mentioned the Lyrique, and the importance of a good mouthpiece ![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif)
EDIT: I think the most important thing for you is to find someone that can give you a good assessment of instruments. You should ask for an instructor to accompany you as you choose your first instrument if you have absolutely no experience with Clarinet whatsoever.
I had a discussion with Dave Kessler about intermediate range instruments, and Dave's assessment coming out of the NAMM show is that the worst bang for the buck of the famed makers right now actually falls to Yamaha. The reason being is that the YCL-250 are now made in China essentially and YCL-450 are made in Indonesia mostly, with the savings in manufacturing not passed onto the general audience.
The Buffet E-11 is very similar to the Buffet B12 (ABS plastic) in terms of the design, and it is going through a slight redesign. Kessler mentioned how that the German Schrieber plant is now replaced with the former Leblanc French plant for the production of E-11.
As for the Bliss, you might have a hard time to move yourself away from the horn even after 1-2 years. The entire Bliss line is good enough that the higher-end Cadenza had to be re-designed and placed at R13/Patricola price range.
The Bliss line is one of the best clarinets in the <$1000 range. I personally think that the grenadilla barrel with composite body variation is the best configuration of the series, and that having a 10 year warranty pragmatically sold it for me. The finishing on the steel forged keywork is quite nice and rather durable. I am not a fan of the PRAG joint lock system on it however, but the "Made in USA" (Elkhart plant) evened that out for me. It comes with the Cadenza (I think a Vandoren really) mouthpiece, so it's not a piece of junk like the Buffet B12 mouthpiece...
You have many choices however. Aside from the aforementioned, one of the best bang for the buck would be Dr. Omar Henderson's Forte clarinet. It has a great price point and the horn is made in Czech Republic (Amati). It also has a Genussa mouthpiece that somehow made it into the package. Mechanically speaking, the keys are power forged instead of being die casted, and the ABS is pretty rugged, so it can take a bit of abuse like the Bliss.
EDIT: One of the concerns that came from having a Forte or a Lyrique lies in the reluctance of some techs to fix the horns. Some would only touch the big 4 (Buffet, Selmer, Leblanc and Yamaha). I'd rather interpret that as a litmus test over which tech to employ and which to not however.
Post Edited (2010-01-27 02:56)
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Author: Woop Woop
Date: 2010-01-27 02:41
Agree entirely about the Bliss range. Have had a bit of a play on one and it was fantastic. It's also a very stable horn that can cope with quite a bit. Many marching bands are importing Bliss clarinets due to the composite body being so hardy.
I listened to Julian Bliss play a recital on a grenadilla bodied Bliss, can't remember which model that is, basically right out of the box, in what was a pretty stuffy room and he still sounded amazing. Bliss is a good way to go.
Woop Woop
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-01-27 15:33
I have a different suggestion. Go to a music store that rents clarinets and rent one for a few months and take private lessons. After about six months, on the advise of your teacher, assuming you trust him and have faith, you can ask him/her for their advise. If you live anywhere near NY city you can always go to a place like Weiners and pick one out. Your teacher may be able to help you choose one as well if their willing to give you their time. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: trice035
Date: 2010-01-29 06:42
I second that. Why spend a $1000 for an activity that might only last a few months? I would rent a horn, buy a decent mouthpiece, and find a good teacher. Then see where you are in 6 months.
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Author: kathryn777
Date: 2010-02-02 16:02
The Schrieber WSLES is the same thing as the buffet E11... you're paying a much lower price for the same instrument since it has a different name now... new ones at cost for around 700... or can rent them for around $30 a month
Post Edited (2010-02-02 16:03)
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