All Clarinet Players and Music Teachers! Please Help?

Question

I Entered high school and I am told to get a better clarinet and mouthpiece.
What do you recommend?
I currently have a Bundy Bb Clarinet, Use RICO 3 strenght Reeds. and have a mouth piece purchased off the shelf only cost 10 bucks.. :(

I am looking at the Buffet B12 What do you think? Im also looking at a Vancover B45 Mouthpiece what do you think?

A little on the budget sized but not TOO restricted.

Oh yeah i plan to stop taking music after high school!
THANKS!

Answer 1

The Vandoren B-45 is a great mouthpiece, give one a try.

Vandoren reeds are generally better than Rico but Rico Royal reeds are fine for HS. There should be no issue there.

As for an instrument, if you know for sure you're not going to play after HS then there's no need for a huge investment here. Remember though, playing in college doesn't require that you be a music major.

Any wooden model Buffet, Selmer Paris (or Omega), or Leblanc Paris will meet your needs more than adequately. The Leblanc Noblet will also meet your needs at less cost.

It's possible that you can find a Buffet R13 or Selmer Paris series 10 on eBay used for far less than a new B12 and you'd have a much better instrument. You should expect any instrument you buy used on eBay to need a $200 repad and adjustment. Just make sure it's not cracked.

If you have a private teacher, take his/her advice into consideration, private teachers are pretty good at knowing what you need for your playing style.

Answer 2

Yeah, bundy does make very good instruments. If you don't care about the money, buy a Buffet now, you won't have to upgrade again later. I have a Buffet (the evette master model from paris). Buffets are the best clarinets. Rico reeds are not very good reeds at all. I suggest that you switch to Vandorren strength 3 reeds. They will be a bit harder than ricos, so maybe you should start on 2 1/2s and move onto 3s. I am not familiar with Vancover mouthpieces but I suggest you get a Vandorren B30 mouthpiece. They cost about $75. I play on a Vandorren B45 which cost about $90 but I was recently told the B30 is better. Hope this Helps.

Answer 3

I currently have a Buffet B12, and I love it! It's great for marching band, but I really wish I had a wooden one for concert band. If you're really not planning on doing music after high school, then I would recommend the B12. If you change your mind, though, look into a better wooden investment. As for the mouthpieces, I'm guessing by "Vancover", you meant "Vandoren". If so, the B45 is a good one. My band director completely despises it :(, and he recommends the Vandoren 5RV Lyre. I'm told they have better tone quality than the B45.

Like someone already mentioned, if you just get a better mouthpiece and use Vandoren reeds, your tone will improve and you probably don't need to buy the new clarinet. Ricos are good for beginners, but once you enter the high school level, you definitely need to get the better reeds.

Good luck, and happy playing!

Answer 4

Yup those are the next size up to what you have! B45 are very versatile in tone you can make any tone with them depending on your embouchure. Or if you were serious I would get a crystal mouthpiece they generally have a brighter tone then the vandoren. Several clarinetists that i know have tried them and loved it. Go for a Buffet B12 or Leblanc or Selmer. Best thing that you can do is go and try it in the shop. I don't know what kind of tone you are looking for. Take you clarinet teacher along if you can!

Answer 5

I wouldn't get a Vandoren B45...it's what they call a 'marching band' mouthpiece. Try a Vandoren M30 or get a Pyne.

And stop using Rico reeds right now. Use Vandoren-12.

The Buffet B12 is a decent clarinet, so that's good.

Answer 6

As everyone else says, don't spend too much money if you're going to stop after high school! Look around, ask your local music store or lesson center if anyone has any nice used clarinets for sale. You could get a good one for a discount. Also, visit your local music store and just try playing the clarinets. You might be surprised at the difference of how they feel. Hopefully the store will have technicians, go talk to them about the pros and cons of the instrument you selected.
I would suggest you move to better reeds and probably a higher strength, but move up gradually there.

Answer 7

I have a Buffet and I love it. Selner is really good too. If you're don't care to play after high school I wouldn't make too big of an investment in buying a Clarinet. As for reeds Rico's are okay but I chose Vandoren's (they're top of the line).

Answer 8

If they're not absolutely FORCING you to get a new clarinet, a new mouthpiece and reeds (Vandoren are fine) should improve the sound of your old Bundy- they're not bad instruments and really great for marching band use.

Answer 9

I am a woodwind competition judge in NY. This clarinet is GARBAGE. Will the reeds fit? Yes. Will it sound like crap no matter WHAT reed you use? Yes. Will it break, and be un-fixable within the first month you own it? YES. Either buy a decent clarinet - even a used one - or just do not bother.