Student clarinet NEEDED

[Kies99]

Since you stated it's for "kids learning", have they any experience at all with the clarinet as yet? If not, why not rent it first to make sure it's something they want to do or have talent for?

My daughter just started on clarinet about a month ago. We are renting a clarinet and it's somewhare around $25-$40 for the first 4 months (can't remember, but wasn't much). A kind of "trial period". After that, if she wants to continue we can pay month-to-month until we own or buy outright.

 

[rvchat]

Since you stated it's for "kids learning", have they any experience at all with the clarinet as yet? If not, why not rent it first to make sure it's something they want to do or have talent for?

My daughter just started on clarinet about a month ago. We are renting a clarinet and it's somewhare around $25-$40 for the first 4 months (can't remember, but wasn't much). A kind of "trial period". After that, if she wants to continue we can pay month-to-month until we own or buy outright.[/QUOTE

thanks much . this is great advice but i 'm not finding any rental sites. if you remember, can you post or pm me? ))

 

[rvchat]

I made the mistake of buying a $99 or whatever deal on internet. Not a good deal. There was nothing on craigslist at the time and we needed it fast.

So I'm checking ebay and see a vito for $100. Is this a good price for used? What do I look for. Thanks so much.

Trish

OP here. Have now heard from several people that ebay purchases were a nightmare. damaged instruments or $100+ to clean it and replace items that were needed (on top of the bid price).

 

[furb & dez]

please, please, please, do not buy one of those $100 POC "new" clarinets off of any website. They are made overseas and can not be repaired once they break (and, yes, they will eventually have a bent key or a spring will fall off, or a pad will fall out, etc.) They also sound exactly like a cheap clarinet.

Buy a good USED clarinet. Brand names to look for are: Vito, Bundy, Jupiter (but only the newer ones, like made in the last 4 years), Yamaha. Don't buy off ebay unless 1) you are absolutely sure what you are looking for or 2) they have good return policy if it doesn't work upon receipt.

PM me if you have any questions. I'm a band director.

My primary instrument is clarinet, and this is good advice for a beginner. I really do recommend buying from a music shop - a lot of them will let you rent to own, or use that cash to let you "step up" later when the child is ready. Some even will "buy back" an instrument if you eventually decide the let the child quit.

Don't buy from eBay, please. You're just asking for trouble.

 

[arihillfarm]

Since you stated it's for "kids learning", have they any experience at all with the clarinet as yet? If not, why not rent it first to make sure it's something they want to do or have talent for?

My daughter just started on clarinet about a month ago. We are renting a clarinet and it's somewhare around $25-$40 for the first 4 months (can't remember, but wasn't much). A kind of "trial period". After that, if she wants to continue we can pay month-to-month until we own or buy outright.[/QUOTE

thanks much . this is great advice but i 'm not finding any rental sites. if you remember, can you post or pm me? ))

Try searching on this site, http://www.musicarts.com/Rentals My 5th grade daughter rented a clarinet from this website and it was delivered and will be serviced by a local music shop. I think it was $15.00 for the first 3 months and is $15/month thereafter.

-Astrid

 

[clori]

My dd11 is playing the clarinet. I used to play though no longer have that clarinet. My dh found an old selmer plastic clarinet at a flea market that had a tag saying it was used by the navy band. He picked it up for $30 hoping it would be good enough for me to play for fun. I took it to a shop and ended up spending $10 for some new corks and $25 for a Hite Premiere mouthpiece (plus a bit for reeds, swab etc). It sounded really nice when it was played at the shop and now sounds much nicer since I've been practicing. For me it is just for fun.

When dd wanted to play clarinet I wanted her to have her own so we could play together. I did look on ebay and quickly noticed that there were many knockoffs. For instance one seller had tons of the same brand which each having the exact same serial number. Many others that were new and a decent brand (yamaha 250, buffet b12 etc) were regular price. I ended up renting thru the school for until June (Dec thru June since dd started out with flute). It was actually a clarinet that was used for a month by another student so cheaper but basically new. In June when I felt comfortable that d would continue to play I bought the clarinet (yamaha 250) outright for a 30% discount off of remaining price. I did have dd's clarinet teacher check out dd's clarinet before purchasing outright and he also checked mine out and said it was excellent.

 

[rvchat]

My primary instrument is clarinet, and this is good advice for a beginner. I really do recommend buying from a music shop - a lot of them will let you rent to own, or use that cash to let you "step up" later when the child is ready. Some even will "buy back" an instrument if you eventually decide the let the child quit.

Don't buy from eBay, please. You're just asking for trouble.

I agree. ebay is a big gamble.

 

[TnTWalter]

i can get a used on for $350...yikes. but it's been reconditioned...
can't remember where...

thanks...

or signet? i can get one for $500....
also reconditioned

edited to add..
i guess the signet is a line of selmer...have to find out what model...

both are wood...

ALSO...

I checked EBAY and only looked at reputible music stores that refurbish and resell with good feedback and return policies....

SIGNET 100 wood $325
Buffet E11 $539

 

[richmond282]

i can get a used on for $350...yikes. but it's been reconditioned...
can't remember where...

thanks...

or signet? i can get one for $500....
also reconditioned

edited to add..
i guess the signet is a line of selmer...have to find out what model...

both are wood...

ALSO...

I checked EBAY and only looked at reputible music stores that refurbish and resell with good feedback and return policies....

SIGNET 100 wood $325
Buffet E11 $539

Is this clarinet potentially going to be used for marching band? Do NOT march with a wood clarinet! It will warp in the humidity, rain, cold, etc.

I'm not overly familiar with the wood clarinets, but I know Buffets are usually top of the line clarinets. I think $500 is pretty good for a Buffet depending on the condition.

 

[Nayan]

You COULD have bought a plastic one cheaper but be advised, you get what you pay for. If you buy a cheap instrument just because it's cheap, nine times out of ten you get a cheap instrument that sounds like crap. Some children come in the first day of band with those cheap $200 clarinets and they sound terrible. They are also next to impossible to repair, in most cases it's cheaper to buy a new one. I can probably guarantee you that your $225 investment yielded you a much better quality instrument than one of those shiny cheap new ones!

A woodwind instrument should not be plastic!!

I bought my clarinet back in the '80's for about $400, which was not cheap and I worked my tush off to buy it. I still have it, still play it and it stills sounds wonderful. While it may sound like a budget-buster paying for quality is much better than having to keep replacing crap.

 

[TnTWalter]

maybe a cool compromise ?... Composite w wood barrel. I can get one for $550my dd is in 7th grade first chair with bad plastic amazon....

 

[mommyjam]

Is this clarinet potentially going to be used for marching band? Do NOT march with a wood clarinet! It will warp in the humidity, rain, cold, etc.

I'm not overly familiar with the wood clarinets, but I know Buffets are usually top of the line clarinets. I think $500 is pretty good for a Buffet depending on the condition.

I marched for 4 years with a wooden clairinet and it did just fine, I originally got it from a friend who had also marched with it. It's sitting in my basement now to see if my daughter has any interest in playing it. My oldest plays the trumpet.

 

[mrsklamc]

maybe a cool compromise ?... Composite w wood barrel. I can get one for $550my dd is in 7th grade first chair with bad plastic amazon....

I live in Indy and still have my Yamaha clarinet. Paige's music told us it is worth about $300...and needs about $275 worth of work. If you want to deal with it, it's yours.

 

[happygirl]

Our school district rents instruments

 

[iheartpeterpan]

I would not buy a Buffet or any other wood clarinet for a student just starting out. You really don't need an instrument of that quality until she has been playing for several years, generally when they hit high school band - unless they are making the honor bands or all state bands at the middle school level. I bought my daughter an Olds composite that she has been playing on at a garage sale, but I play too and knew what I was looking at. Although they do not have the tone you will get from a good wood clarinet, you won't hear your new band student playing well enough to be able to discern the difference for some time. Many band students quit or change instruments within the first two years, so I would go for a good used composite.

My DDs has been a great instrument and she will continue to use it for marching band in high school (I second the PP who suggested not using wood for marching band). Especially in the south, the constant humidity outdoors is not good for the horn.

Once you move on to a higher quality wood instrument I would only buy Buffet.

Ask your band director to take a look at anything you are considering. He/she should also have the names of local folks who can do repairs for you. Anything used will probably need corks/pads/adjustments, but that shouldn't be too much. I also wouldn't buy off ebay.

Good luck!

 

[mickeytattoo95]

Try Music and Arts for a rental. http://www.musicarts.com/Rentals/InstrumentIf you don't have a local store you can do it online and they'll send it to your house. I recommend renting because if your child only plays for a few months, no big loss. Also, they may want to switch instruments and this way you won't feel the need to force them into sticking with the one you bought.

I have a BA in music and my main instrument in clarinet. Please, for the love of clarinets, don't march with a wooden one! It will crack. These cracks are like tiny little slivers and you may never see them, but it damages the instrument. At some point you'll wonder why your child practices and practices how come they don't sound any better? It's likely a crack.

My favorite place to get instruments in Washington Music Center: http://www.chucklevins.com/index.asp

Still, I'd go with a rental until you are sure your child will stick with it.

 

[richmond282]

Try Music and Arts for a rental. http://www.musicarts.com/Rentals/InstrumentIf you don't have a local store you can do it online and they'll send it to your house. I recommend renting because if your child only plays for a few months, no big loss. Also, they may want to switch instruments and this way you won't feel the need to force them into sticking with the one you bought.

I have a BA in music and my main instrument in clarinet. Please, for the love of clarinets, don't march with a wooden one! It will crack. These cracks are like tiny little slivers and you may never see them, but it damages the instrument. At some point you'll wonder why your child practices and practices how come they don't sound any better? It's likely a crack.

My favorite place to get instruments in Washington Music Center: http://www.chucklevins.com/index.asp

Still, I'd go with a rental until you are sure your child will stick with it.

i <3 Washington Music too!!!

 

[the5marions]

You might also want to check out wwbw.com (woodwind/brasswind.com). i have used them several times. They have used and new instruments.

 

[amykathleen2005]

A woodwind instrument should not be plastic!!

Well a flute is not wood either.....


OP, she doesn't need a good one at this time. She just needs one to learn on. Get a plastic one. Wood ones really need to be cared for. Ask the band director or private music teacher. Maybe ask if you could borrow from someone. Often high school students will have a wood one for orchestra in school and a plastic one for marching band. As it is not band season the plastic ones are probably just laying around. Pay no more than $100-$200 until you are positive that she is interested in staying with it. Then make a purchase of a new wooden one.