I'm in a bit of a quandry over my instruments. As most people on here will know clarinet is my main instrument.

My other instruments (flute and saxophone) are progressing really well.

I know i need both a better flute and a better sax not nessecarily top of the range but better so i'm thinking of selling my top of the range very special pair of matched clarinets, my medicore flute and sax to fund good all round instruments in all three.

Is this a good idea especially as i will be taking a clarinet diploma in the winter and do i really need these special instruments? I don't really want to go back to a good all round Bb but i also want to get better instruments for flute and sax so i don't see an alternative! Unless anyone knows a music shop that will let you pay for a new instrument in installments.

I'm also taking grade 6 flute in the winter instead of grade 5, my teacher thinks that grade 6 now seems more appropiate as my technique is getting so much better all the time and i've played lots and lots of different repetoire, she now says i've "gone by" grade 5!

A lot of people do grade 8 on a "student" flute eg the Yamaha 211 - so it's not that essential to upgrade. Or get a decent handmade silver head joint for your existing flute - that would make an enormous improvement to a student flute

Perhaps you could try a vintage saxophone? I play one myself, and get on very well with it, but not everyone will. They may need some repair work to start with as well. The advantage is that you can get a professional standard instrument at a reasonable price, if you know what to look for. I wouldn't know about flutes though!

What flute do you have at the moment?

Can you come to the East Midlands Ensemble gathering next week?

My clarinets are vintage and i love all things that are just that little bit different, where can you find good vintage saxes?



Unfortunely not, i'm going to Samos, Greece on Thursday

I guess you might have to try & work out what your priorities are... obviously to do clarinet dip I assume you won't want to play on something inferior to what you currently have. How important is the diploma to you? Maybe upgrade your other instruments when you have the diploma. There is no reason why you can't get to grade 8 on something like a Yamaha - if your technique is good you'll be able to get a great sound out of it.
Having unlimited money for instruments is something very few (if any) of us has. Most of us juggle what we would like, with what we can afford. For some of us it means not being able to have lessons as frequently as we would want, or sacrificing other items so that we can learn.

Oh that's a shame. I'd like to hear you someday

I wouldn't advise selling ur clarinets to be honest. What flute and sax do you have at the minute and do you know rounds about how much they'd be worth on their own? A lot of music stores allow you to pay in installments, Dawsons, for example.

Have you considered getting a really good make/model of flute and sax but 2nd hand as this reduces to the cost by miles and often come good as new.

Also, I haven't heard of any at the moment, but I've not looked either! But there're a a few schemes about which give bursaries to musicians in need of better instruments, if you could get one of these you could sell ur sax and flute to buy a sax and use the bursary money for a great flute?

Alex xx

All good ideas there.

My flute body is second hand, well actually, third hand, but it plays really well.

Some really good ideas there - your certainly right about the clarinets i think if i "downgraded" i'd be really unhappy about it in the long run! I brought my flute off ebay it's a buffet 6020 and it's very good at all, my teacher thinks its not been well looked after in the past! My sax is one of these Berkley things which are just to get you going really!

Yes will certainly look at second hand, my clarinets are vintage and are amazing better than any modern instrument! I just love anything with a bit of character!!!

Are the bursaries for students?

I'm off to have look on the net!!!!



Hoping to come to a forums concert or something along the lines one day!!

I'm going to be organising a concert in Leicester again next April probably.

Count me in!

Yes, they're for people studyng instruments

Mine was a BBC one "young gifted and skint" I think it was called-though that may have been something completley different all together! Look under the "talent" section on the BBC wbsite anyway, I'm sure you'll find something

Alex xx

I think there is the "Musicians Benevolent Fund" too or something

I totally agree with Andrea here - your technique is way more important than your instrument, and if you're making strides like you say, then a decent student instrument or a new headjoint will be fine through grade 8. I think you could bitterly regret getting rid of your beloved vintage instruments for the sake of two that you haven't been playing long.

I think you'll miss those clarinets of yours Nicia if you sell them.

I'd be inclined to either stick to the flute/sax you have already got, or have a small upgrade (maybe a new headjoint for the flute, and/or a different mouthpiece for the sax.) One thing you definitely have is time - serious upgrading for your 2nd/3rd instruments may well be something you can consider in the future. But you are a 1st choice clarinettist, with instruments you clearly love - I think your best bet is to hold on to those clarinets of yours.

Ooh, someone else for The Clarinettists' DipABRSM Challenge - neil.clarinet and I are both planning on taking the diploma exam in December. What are you playing?

As for your original question, don't ditch your existing clarinets. Far better to upgrade just one of your other instruments (or, as barry-clari suggested), part of both of them.

I'm doing:
Mozart Clarinet Concerto mov. 2 and 3
Poulenc Sonata mov. 1 and 2
Lutolawski Dance Preludes
Jim Parker Clarinet Concert mov. 2 and 3 (own choice)

What are you doing?

I've deicded to upgrade my flute to a good student flute like a Yamaha and as for the sax i don't take exams in it so i'm just going to stick with the one i've got!

Wise decision over instruments, and good pieces in your recital.

My programme is Finzi Five Bagatelles (1st, 2nd and 5th movements), Saint-Saens sonata (1st and 4th movements) and Weber Grand Duo Concertant (2nd and 3rd movements). I'm feeling very virtuous at the moment, as the first draft of my programme note on the Weber is now complete. Must get round to doing the same on the Saint-Saens and Finzi soon...

Neil's also playing Weber, but the first and second movements, Stanford Three Intermezzi, and the last two movements of the Horovitz Sonatina.

Anyone else up for a clarinet diploma in December?

Ooh i was considering the Weber Grand Duo Concertant i would have done the 1st and 2nd movements though!

I've done my programme notes for Poulenc and Jim Parker. Not looking forward to Mozart though as there is so much what could be written!

I would consider it but two problems:

1. Haven't got Grade 8.
2. Don't have my clarinets!