Author: TomS
Date: 2014-11-09 00:50
With the miracle of modern manufacturing and design, I suspect there are several great clarinets, all for under 800 dollars, that share most of the really important criteria of professional instruments. They may not be the last word in response, resonance and beauty, but should fill most of the bill and not handicap beginners too much.
In a perfect world, these would be leased or provided to students, at least for the first couple of years.
The Ridenour RCP146 and the Backun Alpha come to mind. The plastic Leblanc Bliss model has been discontinued due to apparent lack of interest. I am sure more good instruments are out there ... but more really, really bad ones as well.
Using excellent, similar and well maintained clarinets with Legere reeds in the beginning. will eliminate two important variables while training young musicians. The MP is the last piece of the equipment puzzle and that is best carefully chosen with the expert help of a good clarinet teacher. The MP model and facing and the the reed strength will need to be reevaluated and revised from time to time, I think.
I'll bet all woodwind instruments have this concern, but since big school bands often have a zillion clarinets, the problem might be more serious. For example, in HS, we had almost 35 B-flat clarinets in the music program. We divided up these into 2 bands, with the Symphonic Band using 8 (plus an E-flat) and the Concert band had the remaining thundering herd. The Leblanc LL and Selmer 9, 9* and 10 were the choice of the best players (Symphonic Band) but with the remaining players, you could open a clarinet museum with their instruments!
Bottom line is that nowadays, really good clarinets should be in the reach of most music programs ... and IMHO, using mostly the same make/model seems to make sense, in the beginning, at least.
I guess the flutes and saxophones have a similar challenge, but usually are in smaller numbers to do less damage. And, ideally with saxophones, only one on a part, if you are lucky.
Band director asked the question: "How do you get two flute players to play in tune?" Answer: "Shoot one of them"
Tom
Post Edited (2014-11-09 01:20)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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