Clarinets?

Question

I have been playing the clarinet for about 4 1/2 years now and i've been using the same clarinet >__> because I was not allowed to purchase a new one. Now my parents will let me buy a new clarinet but I don't know how to choose one. Which clarinet brands give smooth tones and are better and easier to play with? My friends have told me that Buffet Clarinets are pretty good but I don't know which model to get...XP.

Answer 1

OK the best one to go for a Buffet E11 or R13! these are both intermediate clarinets and are about 1000-2000 dollars depending where you get them. Leblanc Yamaha, Selmer, are also trusted brands. BUT What is good for one person may not be good for another! Best thing to do is go to a specialist woodwind shop with your clarinet teacher and spend an hour or two in "Clarinet heaven" trying a few instruments!

Keep in mind also that the mouth piece and the reeds also contribute to your sound! If your current clarinet is wood it may be worth shopping for a new mouthpiece instead. cheaper too!! As previously stated Old instruments are not necessarily bad. But if you have one of those plastic clarinets then you will need a new clarinet for the future. Esp if you want to pursue it for a lifetime! Good luck in your search

Answer 2

I'll second that an old instrument is not always a bad thing. My 70 year old rosewood is a fine playing instrument. Have a good clarinet tech look yours over - you may have a really good horn already that just needs the touch of a good tech; Or you may not.

The best Buffet is arguably the R13 - expect that to be around $3000 and to take you through college and beyond. The E11 is an outstanding intermediate choice as well and would get you to college but not through.

Selmer (Paris) and Leblanc (Paris) are also very solid choices. Friends can be good sources of information for some things, but if they aren't playing or teaching for a living then they probably aren't the best source of info on where you should spend a couple thousand dollars. ☺ get the advice of a professional player or teacher who knows what works for you in your budget range.

New isn't always better. I'll take a 30 year old Selmer Paris over a brand new plastic Yamaha any day of the week. ♥

After you know what you're shopping for, go try some. That's the only real way to know what you want.

Answer 3

Cools! Well, it depends. How big is your budget? How far will you be going into clarinet learning? Will this need to last a very long time?

I have a catalog that has many woodwind instruments in it where I got my own Buffet internediate clarinet last year. They'll prolly send you a free one. (You can e-mail me for the toll-free phone number on the cover. My email is basically this username plus @yahoo.com)

Your budget is a big part because you need to know how much you can afford. How far you'll want to go is important, too. If you want to be a professional, possibly look into the professional models. (They're expensive, though.) If you'll be playing for awhile but mebbe only till college (which defines me) try an intermediate clarinet. Bb clarinets are the default, fyi.

My private lesson teacher tells me that Buffet's pretty much the only way to go. BUT, you should look at your budget, too.

I personally love my Buffet E11 clarinet. (That's the model.) I'm a junior in high school right now and will prolly be playing through college (as a hobby, not a major). Perhaps a little extra. xD It cost me $999 (a little sale was going on) and the tone is great.

Answer 4

What is wrong with the one you have now? One of the clarinets I play is over 50 years old...and it is the best sounding of them all!!!

Maybe you already have a good clarinet that just needs fixing.

The big three are Buffet Leblance and Selmer...and now Yamaha and Orsi and wier are right up there with them.

Best bang for the buck intermediate...Buffet E11
Best bang for the buck pro instrument Orsi and Wier (a new company)
Best bang for the buck overall...a good overhaul, a good reed, a good mouthpiece and a good player.

Another option...overhauled used...

Here are some lesser known, but still pretty good to pretty damn good choices.

Fabier, Noblet, Boosey and Hawkes, Bundy, Evette, Schrieber, Penzell and Mueller, Bettoney,

My hunch is that as long as the instrument you own can be adjusted to an in tune state, a good mouthpice, a good barrell, good breath support and timeand you will be fine.

Answer 5

do no longer purchase any of the cheap chinese language imports from eBay and so on. they are going to wreck for specific after which you would be in the comparable boat you're in now!!! you will ought to have your clarinet repaired. As many right here have pronounced, if it somewhat is a school-owned device, you ought to seek advice from the band director and/or locate out the place they have their instruments repaired. you additionally can bypass to an area song save and get an estimate of ways plenty your clarinet will fee to repair and notice in case you or your mom and dad can arise with the money for it...

Answer 6

oooh, i had a buffet festival series, and it had an extra e flat key that really came in handy, i LOVED it. buffet clarinets are definetly the way to go. good luck!

Answer 7

Reputable dealers will allow you to try their instruments. If you're making a big investment, you should try it. Play on it for a few days, make sure that everything works as it should, and that you like the sound. If not, send it back and get another.