 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mac1012
Date: 2014-08-16 16:14
hi I am thinking of starting to play , I have some musical background having played congas in a band and play the ukulele , I cant read music I have dabbled with recorders in the past and fancy a woodwind instrument , I figured if my daughter could learn to play a few years ago and palyed my heart will go on in a concert lol I reckon I might be able to manage it
been looking at buffet make ? other than that I wouldn't know where to start I am trying to track down lessons in my home town of chesterfield uk
any advice on another mouth piece would be great as I hear the ones on the buffet are not great what reeds are best for beginners ??
I looking to get a good specimen on ebay and a new mouth piece also any advice on beginners books etc would be good
thanks mark
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2014-08-16 17:33
Hi Mark,
...never too late do start something new. Keeps us young, you know...
Now, per your equipment, let me start backwards, with what has worked for me and many others. Of course, that's just my experience, others may chime in with different opinions.
- Reeds: Mitchell Lurie, ~#2.5. They play right out of the box and need no pre-play pampering like some other brands. Not as long-living as others, maybe, but really hassle free.
- Mouthpiece: Fobes Debut.
- Clarinet: While Buffet is certainly a fine choice, there may be some second hand instruments around that will give you more oomph for your money. (Boosey&Hawkes, Yamaha are most likely be seen for sale).
Also be sure to check out Hanson Clarinets, they're in Marsden (and in the internet, of course). I've got their RG model and like it very much.
Getting lessons is an excellent idea. :-)
Good luck, and have fun!
--
Ben
Post Edited (2014-08-16 17:38)
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Author: pewd
Date: 2014-08-16 18:29
Find a private teacher to advise you on equipment and get you started right.
FWIW, here's what we start beginners on where I teach:
Buffet E12-F clarinet,
Fobes Debut mouthpiece, Rovner Dark ligature, Vandoren Traditional #3.0 reeds.
Metronome and tuner.
Can't stress enough the need to get a good private teacher.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: as9934
Date: 2014-08-16 20:00
I definitely second the suggestions for a good private teacher, it will make so much of a difference in your playing. As for equipment this is what I would recommend:
Buffet E11/Leblanc Bliss: Both are great mid level grenadilla instruments that sound good and are used by many players. Paul also recommended the E12f which is an absolutely fabulous horn but is more on the pricy side.
Vandoren 5RV Lyre (13 Series if in america): Excellent beginner to mid level mouthpiece. The 13 series is used by american players who tune to A=440.
Legere Signature 3.25: Synthetic reed that sounds good and works every time.
Vandoren M/O ligature: Heard good things about this lig and its pretty cheap.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Wind Ensemble
Buffet E11 clarinet , Vandoren Masters CL6 13 series mouthpiece w/ Pewter M/O Ligature, Vandoren V12 3.5
Yamaha 200ad clarinet, Vandoren B45 mouthpiece, Rovner ligature
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Author: mac1012
Date: 2014-08-16 20:34
thank you for taking the time to reply everyone
yes I want to start from the beginning with a teacher , other stuff I learnt I have mainly been self taught but want to have lessons right from the get go more or less
now forgive my ignorance why is a f clarinet recommended instead of a Bb ?
for a beginner ?
I will have a look at the makes you have all mentioned I think the buffet Bb 12 is a popular choice I a little confused about the e11 as opposed to the e12 f as they seem around the same price in the uk at over 9oo pounds a little pricey for me at the moment I have seen the Bb 12 buffet going for around 180 on ebay
I saw somewhere else the e11 meant to be good value am I missing something or is it the one around 900 pounds ?
I have seen the Yamaha ones and boosey and hawkes on ebay any particular models ?
thanks mark
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Author: mac1012
Date: 2014-08-16 20:42
I been looking at the models that you have mentioned and whilst I fully accept they are worth the money if I have to pay 700- 900 for an instrument I may have to reconsider if I can pursue my desire to play a clarinet a bit out of my price range at the moment I am afraid
may have to stick with the alto recorder lol
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Author: gkern
Date: 2014-08-16 21:06
A good clarinet to begin on need not be a Buffet. Almost any Vito will be a good starter horn. The Fobes Debut mouthpiece will work fine, and I recommend Mitchell Lurie 1-1/2 reeds to start. As your embouchure develops you can move up to stiffer reeds for better tone and control.
Gary K
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2014-08-16 21:09
Be careful of low priced Buffet B12s as there are a number of Chinese fakes floating around. They are pretty easy to spot because of their inaccurate markings and poor quality so as long as you are careful you should be fine.
The E12F is just another model name and is not actually an F clarinet. I understand the confusion as many clarinet model names can be very misleading.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-08-16 21:40
There are plenty of used clarinets around the UK at reasonable prices.
That auction site is full of them but of course you don't know what you are getting.
Best to get local advice from a repairer or player but in general virtually all of the used Yamaha clarinets I have bought over the years to do up have turned out to be decent clarinets in relatively good condition.
The most common Yamaha model seen used is the "26 II" and these can often be bought btween £100 - £150.
Slightly newer model is the "250" maybe costs a little more but either is fine.
The Yamaha mouthpiece that comes with these models is typically a "4C" or a "6C" and both a perfectly fine to learn on.
Once you have got started and played a year or two then if you want to stick with the clarinet there's plenty of time to upgrade.
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Author: mac1012
Date: 2014-08-16 22:23
ok thanks again guys you have been most helpful and thank you for your patience !
I had a look at the hanson models too there is one on ebay now for 75 pounds the ebonite model that sells for 299 at moment
it is 8 years old the guy not sure what the mouth piece is as he selling it for sister could be a bargain but I don't think I going to risk it as being a beginner if there is something wrong I wont be able to identify it and may be a load of hassle
tempting though , I also looking at the academy range for 99 pounds seems to have good reviews and is accepted and used by schools as a student model their info seems convincing with a guy from the bbc orchestra playing it and singing its praises.
thanks for advice on the reeds and mouth pieces most helpful
I was looking at the ABRSM music theory book in waterstones today think I am going to get it as music theory is...... well music theory ! so whatever I decide or play will be helpful
without wanting to self teach but is there any books that might be helpful ?
I having trouble finding a teacher in my local area but I will keep looking
Post Edited (2014-08-16 22:27)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2014-08-16 23:35
you have a concert band in your area? Or a conservatory? (my teacher was a final-year student in the local conservatory, and maybe the band can recommend you some sources)
--
Ben
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Author: mac1012
Date: 2014-08-17 00:06
yeah I found an educational clarinet group ensemble type thing I think you have to be able to play a few notes up to grade one before joining but I left message asking if they can point me in the direction of a teacher if I keep searching hopefully one will turn up or a group or something
thanks mark
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Author: pewd
Date: 2014-08-17 00:39
E12-F: '-f' denotes 'France', it is not pitched in F, its in Bb.
"more on the pricy side.". A few hundred $ more,yes. But, the E12F's seem to be more solidly built, with less maintenance issues, which is really important for a beginner. You don't want to be fighting the instrument. E12F's are still fairly new, but I haven't had any odd maintenance issues on them yet. No broken left side low joint E, F# pins, no broken thumb rests. The pads are FAR better than on E11s (gore tex? instead of bladder pads. Thats a HUGE improvement right there.) The jury is still out, I'll have more data in 2-3 years. But they seem far less prone to maintenance issues.
Locally, the music stores are now carrying E12F's, and no longer carrying new E11's. So its a moot point for our beginners this fall. Unless they find a used E11 in good condition, which are far less expensive.
Beginners should not get instruments off of auction sites, flea markets, etc. Go to a music store. Many auction site instruments have maintenance issues, as a beginner, you wouldn't recognize them. Despite the descriptions in the eBay listings, you never know what you'll get until the instrument arrives. E.G., don't shoot yourself in the foot before you get started. I've found some real gems on eBay. I've also received some, described as 'overhauled' or 'recently serviced' with cracks in the wood, torn pads, rusting springs, bent keys, etc. You never really know until it arrives, and you tear it down and examine it. Be careful out there...
Good luck, and welcome to the wonderful world of the licorice stick.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-08-17 02:32
A good condition used model of Yamaha, Buffet or even a B&H Regent II costing around £100 will invariably be a much better instrument than a new one at the same price.
Don't take too much notice of people saying they are "school approved" the people extoling this are unlikely to be unbiased!!
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-08-17 02:47
Beware of cheap imports selling at ₤100 or so. The fact is that you don't get a lot of clarinet for that sort of money. You'd do far better to look for a used Vito, Yamaha, Boosey and Hawkes or Hanson for around the same price. The ₤75 Hanson could be worthwhile, because even if it needs some work you'd come out of it with a reasonable student-level clarinet without paying a lot for it.
Tony F.
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Author: Johnny Galaga
Date: 2014-08-17 05:29
I wonder if renting an instrument from a music store might be an option. That way you could try it out and see whether or not you enjoy clarinet first before spending the big bucks. Perhaps you might try a few different instruments too and see which one you like the best.
In 6th grade, we had a thing in school called the "wheel", where students moved around to different electives for 3 weeks at a time for the first half of the school year. Then in the second half, you got to choose an elective. When I got to band in the wheel and tried a few different instruments, I was pretty well hooked on clarinet right away and knew that's what I wanted to play forever.
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Author: mac1012
Date: 2014-08-17 10:06
lots of food for thought ! yeah the hanson seems a good buy , if the guy selling it wasn't sellng it for his sister and had been playing it and looking after it and was maybe upgrading I might take a chance but he is a bit vague about it and for all I know it could have a crack in it or be really good buy who knows.
A lot of the music shops around here have closed , the ones that are here cater mainly for guitar.
if I could hire one I would do there used to be a lovely shop where you could do that kind of thing sadly its closed now
the nearest shops are 20 miles away not that I found any but its a big city near me so maybe ?
the biggest challenge is finding lessons.
I will keep looking for a good example on ebay I have the money for a new one but I bit apprehensive of spending 400 and finding its not for me
just a note on the e11 and e12 paul here in the uk I don't find the E11s being any cheaper than the E12s when new
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Author: ErezK
Date: 2014-08-17 22:26
Congratulations on deciding to pick up the clarinet.
I think the most important advice is to find a good teacher. A teacher can also help you evaluate 2nd hand gear, and in fact, i advise against buying an instrument that you don't have the skill to judge from a good and a bad buy, even if it costs more (a student level instrument is not that expensive).
As for mouthpiece, there are a few ''standard'' models people start with, a teacher might/should have a few for you to try.
If i had to add one more thing it would be a synthetic reed: they are consistent and well balanced and for a beginner trying to figure out the basics, they remove a very volatile variable from the picture.
Good luck!
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Author: ErezK
Date: 2014-08-17 22:26
Duplicate post (i wonder if its a bug in the dolphin browser).
Post Edited (2014-08-17 22:28)
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Author: mac1012
Date: 2014-08-18 09:14
thanks I have been looking at a few academy models the Bb clarinet by phoenix at 139 seems to be a good buy and I have seen a few good reviews for it
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Author: mac1012
Date: 2014-08-18 09:16
thanks I have been looking at a few academy models the Bb clarinet by phoenix at 139 seems to be a good buy and I have seen a few good reviews for it
http://www.studentmusicsupplies.com/bb-clarinet-by-phoenix-pcl12-248-p.asp
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Author: Hamish
Date: 2014-08-21 21:37
Hi Mark. Check out cafesaxophone.com A member is selling a Yamaha 250 and he has just reduced the price to £200.
You will find the instrument in the "Yard Sale" section. The instrument has been serviced by a reputable tech. Worth a look.
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