Need Clarinet Buying Help!

[momof1princess]

Nvm.

 

[paysensmom]

I didn't look at any of the links you posted. I was in band from 3rd grade through 12th grade. I played the clarinet and had a wooden Selmer and it always sounded great. A plastic one is not worth the money, especially if she is competitive and wants to be 1st chair!

 

[Soben]

I'm in a similar position, knowing nothing about clarinets and having a daughter that plays. Our band director was very helpful in shopping and letting us know what was cosmetic and what was really important. If your BD won't help you, I would recommend taking your daughter to an independent music shop and having her road test some. I know that it takes all the fun out of Christmas shopping and black friday. But you're looking at a lot of $$ and it's really easy to buy a crappy instrument online. A local shop may have a little more mark-up than online, but it's going to be worth it if you get a better clarinet. They will probably offer exchanges and maybe a trade-in if you're interested in that. You can also get a refurb. And they probably handle repairs too, for when you're going to need them. Good luck whatever you do!

 

[Sadie22]

My son's private teacher picked out a used professoinal clarinet for my son when he was in middle school. He went to Chuck Levin's music store outside of Washington, DC and tried out several instruments before we met him at the store to make the purchase. The old plastic clarinet was used outdoors for marching band, while the concert clarinet was used in juried competitions and all the way to first chair. A musical instrument is not something to purchase online. You need someone experienced to assist you.

 

[ceecee]

I wouldn't buy online. Since the band director is not responding, go to a good music store and ask. Does she have a clarinet teacher for private lessons? Maybe ask him/her.

 

[clh2]

My son's private teacher picked out a used professoinal clarinet for my son when he was in middle school. He went to Chuck Levin's music store outside of Washington, DC and tried out several instruments before we met him at the store to make the purchase. The old plastic clarinet was used outdoors for marching band, while the concert clarinet was used in juried competitions and all the way to first chair. A musical instrument is not something to purchase online. You need someone experienced to assist you.

We also had a similar experience when DD was upgrading her flute. (And - we also did that on a Black Friday.) A reputable music store had 3 or 4 used flutes, and DD spent about 1 hour in a practice room (maybe more) picking the one that sounded the best. She was able to take that one to school the following Monday to have her band director look at it.

The flute she picked had been a back-up flute for a professional musician, who bought a "better" flute, so her previous main flute became the back-up flute. We paid about $1200 for a flute that brand new would have been $3500. *Yes - it was more than we had planned on spending, but it was a lovely sounding instrument.)

DD kept her "starting" flute for outdoor marching activities.

 

[erincon23]

Woodwind Brasswind (wwbw.com) has reviews for most of the instruments. And you can try them out and return if you're not satisfied. Same thing with mouthpieces (do you know that different mouthpieces give you different sounds and tones? Don't necessarily go with the mouthpiece that comes with the instrument -- on wwbw, you can "take out" up to three mouthpieces for a small fee, try them, and return the ones you don't want. Reeds are also important -- different reeds change the tone of the instrument, and some are easier or harder to play on.). I run a website for parents of performers (I think I would get in trouble if I give you the website address, but if you're interested, PM me and I'll provide it) that may give you some answers to these questions.

 

[momof1princess]

Woodwind Brasswind (wwbw.com) has reviews for most of the instruments. And you can try them out and return if you're not satisfied. Same thing with mouthpieces (do you know that different mouthpieces give you different sounds and tones? Don't necessarily go with the mouthpiece that comes with the instrument -- on wwbw, you can "take out" up to three mouthpieces for a small fee, try them, and return the ones you don't want. Reeds are also important -- different reeds change the tone of the instrument, and some are easier or harder to play on.). I run a website for parents of performers (I think I would get in trouble if I give you the website address, but if you're interested, PM me and I'll provide it) that may give you some answers to these questions.

i'd like that, thanks.

 

[furb & dez]

I'm a professional... I'd recommend the Buffet over the other instruments you have there. I've been playing a Buffet for 22 years! Yamaha's can be decent as well. I would not recommend an Amati.

 

[richmond282]

I'm a professional... I'd recommend the Buffet over the other instruments you have there. I've been playing a Buffet for 22 years! Yamaha's can be decent as well. I would not recommend an Amati.

I haven't looked at your links yet, but I'd go with a Buffet too. (I'm a band director, BTW.) Try washingtonmusic.com. I have found some great deals there. You could also try taylormusic.com for use/refurb instruments.

OK. I looked at your links. I would go with the Buffet as a first choice and the Yamaha 2nd.

 

[momof1princess]

.

 

[Mabel67]

i'd like that, thanks.

unfortunately, guys, we live in a very small town, with only one music store, and their instruments are horribly overpriced. i can't get any input from the band director, as he doesn't answer e-mails, so i'm kind of on my own. i don't really know what to do, except look online.

Why should the band director be answering your emails today? Did you talk to him before? Did you try meeting with him? Is he supposed to be on-call 24-7? Pretty sure this is his long weekend too. You seem to be heaping a lot of your last-minute lack of knowledge onto the band teacher's shoulders.

 

[momof1princess]

.

 

[Mabel67]

EXCUSE YOU, but the band director NEVER answers e-mails. and i take serious offense to your attitude. he is WELL KNOWN among the students and band parents for never taking the time to answer anyone's e-mails, so e-mailing him for help would be a complete and total waste of my time.

Then go meet him in person. Maybe he prefers face to face. If you want his help seek him out. You've said more than once how he isn't any help because he doesn't answer emails. I was simply inquiring why you have the expectation that he should. While email is easy it isn't the only form of communication.

Have you tried phoning other music stores? Have you tried google to find out what you should be looking for? How about talking to a senior student who may be knowledgeable? Music department at nearest college?

 

[momof1princess]

.

 

[Mabel67]

sure, that would be great, if he were actually THERE. you're full of great suggestions. did you take the time to READ my post? unless i were to show up at the band director's home, which would be VERY inappropriate, i have no opportunity to meet with him face-to-face, since he is only at the school for last block, and, unfortunately, this is during my work day.

guys, i'm on my OWN here, that's why i posted asking for help. if you have no constructive suggestions, PLEASE, do me a favor and don't post.

*IF I COULD MEET WITH THE BAND DIRECTOR AND GET HIS SUGGESTIONS, I WOULD HAVE DONE IT ALREADY*

I offered several viable options. If he isn't a resource then you have to educate yourself. It might take time. It might be inconvenient. But it is possible. I DO know because I have done it. On my own. You said several times that you know he doesn't answer emails but you haven't said what YOU have done to get yourself informed.

BTW a musical instrument can be a very personal item. What works and sounds good for one person might not be the same for another. It might be a good idea to take your young musician to the music store and see if she can try several different models. You might have to go to a neighboring larger center but it could be well worth it especially if she is serious about perusing her music. If that isnt possiblec try some of the other resources I already mentioned. Plus music message boards could be helpful.

 

[momof1princess]

Mod, please delete this thread. I'm done. Not close, but delete. Completely. All I asked for was some opinions and suggestions on a clarinet for my daughter, not a public flogging and inquisition into my education on clarinets. This seems to happen every time I post on one of these boards. You'd think I'd learn. I really wish people wouldn't post if they can't offer helpful suggestions.

 

[Sadie22]

For the person who thinks Buffet (the French company) only makes plastic clarinets, you need to do a little more research. Our Buffet B flat clarinet is a special type of wood.

OP, is there only one musician in your town? Our town is not all that large but there are several adult orchestras in the area as well as a community college which offers instrumental classes. There are many private teachers. In the congregation of our church there are many professional musicians. There is more than one person to consult regarding musical instruments. Look farther, Mom, rather than thinking of the one person at school. Perhaps he is not even a clarinet specialist and would not be able to give the advice that someone else could. And don't go with the attitude you showed in your last posts.

 

[Mabel67]

Mod, please delete this thread. I'm done. Not close, but delete. Completely. All I asked for was some opinions and suggestions on a clarinet for my daughter, not a public flogging and inquisition into my education on clarinets. This seems to happen every time I post on one of these boards. I really wish people wouldn't post if they can't offer helpful suggestions.

How much more help do you want? I suggested calling other music stores, a senior experienced student, the closest college music department, music message boards. Other people have given their opinions as to construction material and brands.