 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Echronome
Date: 2013-11-25 06:10
Next year i plan on playing Clarinet for concert band and an orchestra and i'm wondering what kind of clarinet i should get that suits both. I was thinking a buffet but what do you guys think?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-11-25 07:02
While Buffets are the most popular, there are other makes which you ought to try out as well to see what you like best. Also consider used clarinets provided they've been well serviced or fully overhauled prior to sale so they ought to be better than new in terms of playability, although cosmetically they can vary.
Buffet aren't the be all and end all.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2013-11-25 07:20
When playing an "upper league" clarinet, it's more often a question of personal preference than "absolute quality", ergonomics (how your fingers like the instrument) and ease of playing help more than shiny or some logo on the instrument.
But I'm an off-brand type of person, so I might be biased.
I second the advice to also look for fine second hand instruments, and I
suggest you get a good mouthpiece for it - this is at least as important.
--
Ben
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Author: Echronome
Date: 2013-11-25 08:02
tictactux wrote:
> When playing an "upper league" clarinet, it's more often a
> question of personal preference than "absolute quality",
> ergonomics (how your fingers like the instrument) and ease of
> playing help more than shiny or some logo on the instrument.
>
> But I'm an off-brand type of person, so I might be biased.
>
> I second the advice to also look for fine second hand
> instruments, and I
> suggest you get a good mouthpiece for it - this is at least as
> important.
>
Chris P wrote:
>While Buffets are the most popular, there are other makes which you >ought to try out as well to see what you like best. Also consider used >clarinets provided they've been well serviced or fully overhauled prior to >sale so they ought to be better than new in terms of playability, although >cosmetically they can vary.
>
>Buffet aren't the be all and end all.
Thanks this helped a lot.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2013-11-25 15:37
Do you already know how to play, or are you new to the instrument?
Buffet E12-F for beginners. Best to ask the beginning band's director first however.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: discerningclarinetist
Date: 2013-11-25 15:44
I'd really suggest buying a used clarinet and then using the savings to invest in a quality mouthpiece. Usually, you can find a pretty good used Buffet R13 or Selmer Signature/Privilege/Recital that already has been professionally setup for well under the new price. These instruments are often a lot better than new instruments from a high volume distributor. The websites and often local music stores that sell new instruments often dont set them up properly (I.E. check the pads for leaks, make sure keys are properly adjusted, ect).
The mouthpiece is really essential. Some handcrafted professional mouthpiece (Hawkins, Fobes, Grabner, Pyne, Bay, Greg Smith, Lomax, ect) can often make a student model clarinet sound better than a professional model clarinet with a poor mouthpiece. A carefully chosen Vandoren mouthpiece is also a very, very good option.
Good luck!
Tyler Zey
www.discerningclarinetist.com
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Author: BobD
Date: 2013-11-25 16:21
The E12-F looks interesting .......but so does the idea of a good used horn.
Bob Draznik
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2013-11-25 19:56
I have played Buffet R13s, Ridenour 576 and Leblanc/Backun Symphonie for the past years. None has been absolutely, perfect, but I have found each to be an improvement over the previous instrument I played.
Modern clarinets are quite excellent, if properly set up and maintained. The days of R13 or nothing are long over. Look at good used instruments. You can save big bucks to apply to a good mouthpiece and maybe some good lessons with an experienced teacher.
There are usually a few good instruments available right here on the classifieds. DISCLAIMER: I have one for sale there right now.
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: Echronome
Date: 2013-11-25 20:50
I've actually played clarinet for about 4 years now and i've had the same clarinet for those 4 years and i thought it was time to invest in a new one. Thanks everyone.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2013-11-25 23:04
Ask your private teacher? (do you have one?)
What type do you have now?
Is this for a high school orchestra? That usually requires an auction, at least where I teach anyway.
The 'usual' path around here for students is an E11 (currently E12-F) for a beginner, then an upgrade to an R-13.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Echronome
Date: 2013-11-26 02:06
I kinda have a teacher and he says to get an R-13. I believe i have a selmer but i'm not sure what kind. It's just a local orchestra. You may have heard of it since you live in Texas. It's called smart orchestra.
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