 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Musikat
Date: 2023-01-30 01:08
I am about to receive a new clarinet for trial (new to me, but also almost brand new and one I am told I need to still break in). I was told I should play no more than about 15 minutes a day on it for the first week.
any tips on how to best evaluate an instrument with those parameters? I can take it to a couple rehearsals and play on it for a few minutes, but I won't be able to play it as much as I would like for comparison.
What should I be looking for? This is my first new instrument since I was in high school and I don't even remember doing a break in then (I might have, it has just been a long time and I was 14!).
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2023-01-30 03:10
Wait until late March/early April before buying a brand new wooden clarinet as this is the wrong time of year, what with the heating on, low humidity and the massive and sudden differences in temperature indoors between and out, especially if you plan on taking it to and from rehearsals.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Musikat
Date: 2023-01-30 03:32
I would wait but this is a private sale and a good deal that won't be there in March or April. It is an instrument that was broken in some a few years ago but not much, and is basically brand new for over half off.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-01-30 05:04
In general, when I pick up a "new" clarinet I do it WITH my current horn. First you play YOUR HORN (you need to establish the paradigm, and you never really know exactly what you sound like until.....you do). Then I just noodle around on the new horn to see if it's fun to play. The last bit is to check the internal pitch (note to note accuracy) if it is tending a little high or a little low overall, that can be fixed.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2023-01-30 11:41
When I bought my clarinet, I also had to check the ergonomics of the instrument as the key positions and lengths vary quite a lot between different manufacturers, and my hands didn't fit some brands nearly so well.
I get the impression that people do play for more than 15 minutes when evaluating an instrument to buy. I mean the ones in shops get tested by loads of people at different times of the year, and I really doubt that anyone is clock watching when they are thinking about handing over £2,500.
When I went to buy mine I also took my husband, because it is him that has to listen to me play and I wanted to be sure that he liked the sound. If you have it at home then hopefully your regular audience will be there to let you know their thoughts too.
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Author: kilo
Date: 2023-01-30 22:17
I always check the alternate fingerings – how does the 1-over-1 Eb/Bb compare with the same notes played with the sliver key or the side keys. Will the 2-over-2 clarion G# work in a pinch? How clear are the throat tones?
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Author: m1964
Date: 2023-01-31 04:06
I find it very helpful to can ask someone else to play the instrument, esp. if that person is a better player than I am.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-01-31 05:29
I have to respectfully disagree with that one. We don't all play clarinet the same way: embouchure; air; pressure; open mouthpieces; closed mouthpieces; soft reeds; hard reeds etc. This affects how the clarinet responds. I know for a fact that there are Backuns and Selmers that I find unplayable in the chalumeau at low volumes. There's a friend of mine that won't play anything but a Selmer.
You have to find your own horn
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Musikat
Date: 2023-01-31 07:43
I did actually have two clarinet friends I trust, and who play professionally, try it out tonight. They both thought it was a good horn and in good mechanical shape, and they really liked the tone.
I have to do a lot more playing on it, but one concern I had was it came with 4 barrels (64-68). I was on the 64 and still running flat until it was warmed up. Is there a chance it will change tuning tendencies as it gets played in more? It has been sitting for a few years, I believe.
I may take it to my tech as well.
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