Is a Glenn Edwards Clarinet okay for a student?
I'm considering purchasing a Glenn Edward Bb clarinet. The price is low, which makes me consider to not buy it, but all the reviews are five stars. The info is that it is made of composite material and pads are made in the USA by Precision Pads. It sounds real good, but I would like to have some expert advice from someone who owns one, or knows anything about them. Thank you.
What is a ranking of the best clarinet brands for students?
Buffet CramponYamahaSelmerBundyTo be honest with all of you, I’m kind of mixed between 1. and 2., but for now I’ll go with this ranking
Why do music teachers have to get the students to play the clarinet?
It’s so annoying.I used to teach in a music school, but I got into a lot of trouble because I would only get students to play the piano. They gave me several warnings, because I wouldn’t get anyone to play the clarinet. Even the guy in the next room got seriously told off (he made them play guitar) and we both ended up in front of the boss at one point, for a long lecture about reeds and pads.The third teaching room was used by an old guy who used to play the saxophone, but they let him off because he did at least get some of his students to play the clarinet. I think it was only because he’d been brainwashed into playing it himself, when he was a student - but he at least got wise when he got old and took up the sax instead.I got sacked in the end. Even though I did point out that my ex-wife used to get a LOT of students to play the clarinet, and I used to accompany them on the piano. Mind you, she was in the army and they made her play the clarinet in the band there, so she had a very disciplinarian attitude towards music. I mean, she actually bought a music store and SOLD clarinets and made me do that too… but I rebelled and got a load of synths in that could make clarinet sounds and sold those instead. She never knew I made students play the clarinet sounds on the synths. I was too clever for her.15 years I spent doing that. Now I am FREE! No more clarinets.I suggest, if your music teacher is making you play the clarinet, you should take up the sax. It’s waaaay more cool.
How much should you pay for a student's first clarinet?
That's entirely up to you, honestly. I would think the $500 - 800 range would be pretty common and acceptable. My advice (I'm also a clarinetist, in addition to what the bio says) is to favor a higher-quality used instrument over a lower-quality new one.Unless the student is going to be playing exclusively in outdoor marching bands, I would not waste money on a composite (plastic) instrument. Wooden clarinets are superior in every conceivable operational sense, though they do require some extra care to keep them protected from the elements. In college I typically used a student model wooden horn for outdoors, and a professional model for indoors. Maybe do a little research and scope out models by Yamaha, Buffet, and Leblanc, three of the major manufacturers. Also remember that a quality mouthpiece which pairs well with the particular clarinet in question is important, too, and will add some significant bucks onto the total cost — it would be good to consult with a teacher or an experienced player on that point.
Should I buy a used Yamaha YCL-34 B flat clarinet?
I believe the YCL-34 is equivalent to the Buffet E11 in terms of quality (intermediate wood model). It's really rare to find a beginner clarinet made of wood. (However, I would try it before you buy it! Many clarinetists recommend that you stay with your brand when you upgrade, so it may be hard to adjust!) Are you intending on being a music major? I would suggest getting a professional clarinet: ex: Selmer 10S, Buffet R13, Ridenour Lyrique Pro 576BC (which I have - it's an amazing instrument! - but you can only buy it online), Leblanc (any designed by Backun). If you're not intending on being a music major, the Buffet E11 or the Yamaha is fine.
What is the best clarinet to buy?
The one that comes alive in your hands when you play it. If you want the best clarinet, you have to play a lot of them. Buffet, for instance, will let you come to their facility in Florida (or Paris, if you have the bucks to visit the mother ship) and play as many clarinets as you like. I'm sure other clarinet makers do something similar. Used clarinets a fortiori: don't buy a pig in a poke, for all you're likely to get is a squeal.I love my Buffet R13, but I've tarted it up with Backun MOBA bell and barrel (which I test played at Backun in Vancouver). I also get to play a Buffet 1193C, a bass clarinet to low C. That is definitely the world's best bass clarinet, save perhaps the Schwenke & Seggelke models. Buffet for sound, S&S for precision and stability, says my clarinet tech.That leads to another necessity. Find a really, really good tech, preferably one who plays the instrument, and build a relationship with him or her. Clarinets are not stable, bass clarinets are close to chaotic, and need touch up from time to time. Learn from him so you can DIY the easy stuff.Don't become a mouthpiece-whore. No mouthpiece is going to transform you into Harold Wright or Sabine Meyer, despite the ad copy, which tends to be about as metaphorical as wine labels, and even less useful. I think the best thing to do, if you've not already got a favorite mouthpiece, is invest in the beginner models from people like Brad Behn, Clark Fobes, and Richard Hawkins, to name just the three whose products I have played or play--there are many others. It will be a good mouthpiece and, more important, it will acquaint you with the fundamental acoustic philosophy of the maker. You may find that you just don't like it; don't bother upgrading in that line. (Both Brad and Richard are very approachable and love talking about mouthpieces. I've never talked to Clark.)Finally, remember that the best clarinet in the world won't do a thing for you without practice.
What are the best plastic clarinets?
Clarinets are traditionally made from ebony (or african black wood) or rose and that is why they are a part of the woodwind instruments. Now depending on the model they can be made from wood, or in some student clarinets' case, a hardened acrylyc resin called ABS. Some lower quality student clarinets may be made from bakelite, which I've only suggested to my friends/students at the very beginning of their studies and only if they don't think of going professional really fast. Bakelite clarinets can be an ok substitute for the very young for a while and only for economical purposes, but if you wanna be a serious instrument player, you should start at least with an ABS. Now coming to the original question, during my active years as a clarinet student, player and teacher, I have seen only some plastic clarinets but I have NEVER seen a good one. And I personally think that a good plastic clarinet is an oxymoron. It's not possible to find a nice tonality through an instrument made out of plastic, especially a tone such as a clarinet's which is musical, full and rounded. Of course I haven't been teaching for almost 2 full years now, the technology may have been so developed that they may have invented an awesome plastic clarinet that exceeds all expectations. But I hardly think so.
Clarinet - to rent or buy?
don't buy a selmer. i don't know what these people are telling youuu! i have 4 clarinets. a buffet wooden clarinet, a plastic buffet student clarinet, a yamaha student, and a selmer student. when i first started playing clarinet, my parents made the mistake of renting my clarinet from the local music store. we rented it for so many years that they could have just bought me a decent student clarinet. out of all of the student clarinets i've used, the yamaha student clarinet is the most friendly to the beginner musician. the key holes are very close together for small fingers and it does not take a lot of air to play. i did not like the selmer clarinet at all. the keys were very weirdly shaped and it had MANY issues...leaking pads, bent keys, i did none of this because i hated it so much i never played it! also, yamaha instruments tend to sound better and have a better feel that selmer instruments. i bet you could find a yamaha student clarinet for around 350 at the local music store
Bass Clarinet under $1,000?
The lowest price new student level bass clarinets will run you just about $1300 - if you're wanting a new one, under $1000 will not get you anything worth having. By comparison, a new Selmer Paris or Leblanc Paris professional bass clarinet will cost you between $6,000 and $10,000 depending on which features you'd like. If you want a good used one, you could take a shot at eBay but expect anything you buy there will need a service call as soon as you get it. Bass clarinet service isn't as cheap as soprano. Any used and playable bass clarinet will sell for over $500 on eBay. You can get a really good deal though on the professional level instruments there - just not under $1000 If you go see the instrument repair tech at your favorite music store, he may know of or have one that has been reconditioned.
How do I know when to buy a new clarinet?
Deciding to upgrade your clarinet really depends on various factor actually. The quality of your clarinet, whether there are any problems with your current one that could not be fixed with some meticulous repair work and of course whether it is suitable to your level.First, level. Although you have been playing for 5 year now, that unfortunately doesn't say much because depending on your practice intensity and the schedule and program you follow, you may still be a leisure player at this point, with some technique in your pocket, or you could be closing up on mastery with hard work and dedication. I bought my first half student half professional E13 (BC) clarinet at the closing of my first year and changed into my marvellous festival (BC) only after my 4th year, where at that point I was practising at a professional level (although I was not a professional myself, the school I attended required a certain level of excellence even from part time students, which meant at least 4 hours of practice every day) and my E13 was not giving me what I was asking from it any more.Second, the clarinet. I have to be honest that my school was very fixated on all things French, so we not only strictly followed a very French style education, but we also almost exclusively bought French brand clarinets. But I did some research on LeBlanc and read quiet positive reviews about it. Also saw, from the reviews of course, that it was a good clarinet that gave way to growth and development as the clarinettist mastered both the music and the instrument. This seems to be beneficial, as you may not need to upgrade your instrument for a longer while.Finally, I suppose it will be you who'll understand whether your instrument is giving you what you need or not. I really suggest you to find another music store which carry a couple of different brands and give them a try. See if you can find something else that can satisfy you better. All the best.