I am currently looking into types of clarinet that would make a good buy.
I play three instruments (singing, flute and cello) however, I have always wanted to play the clarinet. I would just want to have fun playing it, and not take lessons or grades or anything, but just maybe pl;ay in the school windband when I reach a decent standard, so, as a complete beginner I have a few questions...

What would a good choice of model be?
What sort of a price should I expect?
What kind of reeds would I need to begin with?

Thanks in advance!

HI
I recently started again after an accident stopped me from playing so I bought a student instrument to see how it went. I found the Yamaha ycl 250 good value for money but I believe Buffet B12 are around th same quality. I paid £210 last year. I would think that to start with you would probably want a size 2 or 2 1/2 reed.

You must be a heavy breather! I started on 1.5 and didn't move up to 2 until after I'd done Grade 1 and started doing the upper register....

And the strength varies from one manufacturer to another - a 1.5 Vandoren is slightly harder than a 1.5 Rico Royal, for example.

There are a number of good clarinets you can start out on : Buffet, Yamaha and Hanson all make good clarinets that will set you on your way very nicely. Well worth looking at the second-hand market as well - the Buffet B12 and Yamaha YCL250 very frequently come up in various establishments second-hand : if you can, have your prospective second-hand clari checked out for playability/condition.

Reeds could take up an entire post all on their own!!! But I'll be brief. When I start off my new clarinettists, I'll start them, depending on the individual, on either 1.5 or 2 strength reeds. I tend to find that strength 1 reeds are too weak to use in the overwhelming majority of cases, and anything much higher than a 2 is too stiff for most beginners to cope with.

Welcome to the wonderful world of the clarinet Singer101!

Sorry I realised my mistake whilst in the shower juat now. I meant 1 oe 1 1/2 reeds to begin with!
Carl

I'd go for Buffet...not yamaha...Yamaha make good flutes, and not so good clarinets, and Buffet make good clarinets, but not very good flutes...its strange seen as Buffet bought over Boosey and Hawkes who bought over Rudall, Rose and Carte who bought over...who made very good flutes and not very good clarinets...

I'm sorry but I really disagree with this posting. I'm not in a position to comment on flutes but I can assure you Yamaha make some very good clarinets.

For a good quality plastic instrument I think there is little to choose between the Buffet B12 and the Yamaha 250. Their wooden clarinets are also comparable, personally I prefer Yamaha as they feel more comfortable for my hand size and I find them easier to get the eveneness of tone across the registers I desire.

Don't get sucked into the Buffet mafia......they are very good instruments but not the only ones worthy of consideration.

I play a buffet b12 and am very happy with it. It is of good quality and has a good sound... well it would if i could make it

I now have a Buffet E11, but i started on a Yamaha 26II (I think the forerunner to the 250). I personally prefer the Buffet, but I know someone who just couldn't get used to Buffets and stuck with the Yamaha they started on. It's all a matter of choice really. I would recommend going to try lots out; you may not be able to hear which ones are gd/bad, but you will be able to feel which ones you prefer; how your fingers are positioned etc.

You spotted my deliberate mistake then- I meant 1 or 1 1/2! I tried recently a 3 1/2 which the shop sold me by mistake and I didn't notice. It's like trying to blow a block or wood!

hmmmm I've just re-read my post......I think I was in a bit of a mood earlier, the content I agree with the tone wasn't quite what I meant.

Singer101 - I'd suggest going to a reputable shop and seeing what they have. The Yamaha and Buffet plastic instruments are about £250 new, about £200ish 2nd hand. As long as you look after them they retain their value quite well.

As for reeds as others have said start low! I'd recomend going for either a Vandoren 1.5 or Rico Royal 1.5 or 2. You can buy cheaper reeds but I think they are a false economy.

Enjoy the world of the clarinet....it is great fun.

My mom bought me a box of 10 strength 4! I tried one, and have left the rest in my case to torture my friends with if they need one... Not really! That would be exceptionally mean!

I think I used to play 4s when I played clarinet, either 3.5s or 4s - not to start off with though!

Having said that I had the Buffet B12 equivalent at the time and whatever mouthpiece came with it all the way through school, so it might be that I needed a hard reed to go with a close mouthpiece.

Er, don't you mean the opposite? Until recently, Buffet was 'owned' by Boosey and Hawkes.

I agree 100% with CJB. Yamaha are amazingly good quality and excellent value for money, and they have a geat reputation for second hand instruments. Nothing wrong with Buffet at all. However let's not forget the power of marketing and market presence. Buffet are the 'Ariel washing powder' and 'Colgate' of the clarinet world. Everyone knows them and they do what all similar companies do, ie milk their reputation for all its worth.

For many years I think Buffets have been grossly overpriced, but there's such a glut of clarinets on the market that the buyer is now king and is spoilt for choice.

Steve

Sorry i offended you and your clarinet, I have to admit that yamaha clarinets have improved alot recently and the previous models were not as good as the new 250. But I stick by what i said, true with any instrument, the less variety of instruments that company makes, the better, like Buffet who only really make wind instruments and yamaha who make everything.

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Sorry i offended you and your clarinet, I have to admit that yamaha clarinets have improved alot recently and the previous models were not as good as the new 250. But I stick by what i said, true with any instrument, the less variety of instruments that company makes, the better, like Buffet who only really make wind instruments and yamaha who make everything.
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I think in today's commercial climate every company is a subsidury of someone else that makes everything. Buffet are part of the same group as Besson. They just keep the branding different. Companies in the far east have a much longer history of having many different divisions all with the same branding. Think Virgin in this country (actually after my last train experience that possibly isn't the best approach).

Claiming that the older instruments were not as good as the new 250 is true.......the same is true of the other manufacturer's newer models. I agree that the 250 is the best plastic Yamaha have made, in the same way as the current Buffet plastic clarinets are much nicer than the ones made 20 years ago. My instruments are not the latest models. I've been playing on Yamaha clarinets since 1990, before each purchase I tried what was available and found Yamaha worked best for me.

I am not claiming Yamaha as better than Buffet, I just get a little tired of the 'it isn't Buffet therefore it isn't as good' attitude of the clarinet comunity.

I learnt on a Buffet B12, before I was old enough or good enough to decide whether it was better or worse than anything else. I got it about 9 years ago and played it for about 6 years, and have just sold it on to one of my pupils. It still sounds good - being carted (and knocked!) around for 6 years did only superficial damage as all the keys still work and the pads seal.

Since then I have played a Yamaha and a Selmer and each time I upgraded I tested Buffets and found one that I preferred to them. CJB, I know what you mean about the keys - I have an extra Eb/Ab on my Selmer and no one else can play it as its so close to the others. Its great for me though as I have small hands and only play it when I want to! I must admit though I have spent the last 4 years being looked at funny because I don't play a Buffet. The most recent comment I got was "Well, Selmers have got so much better!" I've heard it said about Yamaha but I've met people who have told me not to buy a Selmer as it plays the same as a Buffet for a higher price. I didn't find that.... so confusing! It's that big thing called personal preference I guess....

Singer101, good choice for the clarinet! Buffet or Yamaha seem to be the best bet, but I do know that sbhoa and some other forum members agree that the Hanson is good too. Please tell us what you decide on!

Hi
I've also gone for a Selmer. Which one have you got Kate? I've got the Arthea and am really happy with it.I don't know of anyone else who has the Arthea but would be interested to hear from anyone who has. I found the extra Eb/Ab key got in the way to start with but soon got used to it. It can be useful too.
Carl

Nothing to do with your clarinet. People with 2 brain cells like that just look funny anyway!

Steve

Well there is always that problem.... reminds me of the joke about the bass clarinettist......

Ferretman, I have the St Louis - It was neck and neck with the recital, but it was a bit too heavy for a small person (ie me.) I've not heard of the Arthea - is it new?

I'll put in a good word for Hanson - I have one of their T6 clarinets (Professional standard) and its very good. I've heard thier student modle played by a young beginner and that also sounds good. I quite like the placing of the keys, and mine seems a bit lighter than other wooden instruments I've tried. I couldn't say about the beginier, not having played one myself. I learnt on a Buffet B12 as well - They are good instruments to begin on, and can take a lot of bashing around!

I've heard nothing but good things about the Hanson clarinets. I've not had chance to try one myself so can't give an opinion.

I keep getting really tempted by the gorgeous pictures of their rosewood instruments......but keep telling myself 3 Bb clarinets is enough.......then again I don't have a spare A

Oh no! Not the Hanson rosewoods again!!

Those pictures have been commented upon by every clarinetist all over the world!

Aren't they just beautiful!

My very first clarinet was a Hanson student model. It's permanently left on its stand, taken on every holiday, dropped, never ever put away.

For our windband rehearsals I use my old Leblanc Noblet 45 or 1975 full Boehm Buffet, but they're always put away in their cases, so at home I always pick up my trusty old Hanson for practice. I would use it for rehearsals, but years of abuse have given the hard rubber a rather nasty greenish tint.

The Hansons are built to last. The keys are far more comfortable than my Buffet though similar to Leblanc - though I've always thought Leblanc and Yamaha had the best keywork anyway. If my cheapy student model is anything to go buy, the expensive models must be quite amazing.

Steve

you really know how to make me want to part with my hard earned cash more than ever don't you!

My main thing against Buffet is the keywork.....it just doesn't fit my little hands as well as some of the others. I keep trying different instruments on the grounds of 'if my pair were stolen tomorrow what would I replace them with'. My current favorites are Selmer for the sound, Yamaha for the keywork, and Leblanc for the compromise. I worry a little about the weight of the Selmers considering I have existing damage to my right hand/wrist.

Looks like I need to find a way of trying a Hanson sometime

if we are ever at a Forum event together you are welcome to try mine.

[quote name='sbhoa' date='Jan 26 2007, 12:45 PM' post='453821']

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if we are ever at a Forum event together you are welcome to try mine.
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Thank you - At some point I do hope to make it to one of the events

Hanson are based not far away from Leeds and I've asked them if they want to come along to the forum concert in Leeds on 2nd June to show some of their clarinets. I'll confirm when I load the new Leeds thread whether they can come or not.

Hi Kate,
Yes the Arthea is a new model. There isn't many of them over here as yet. I tried the Buffets but liked the tone and the feel of this one much better.
Carl

They are amazing - I have a Rosewood one too I've only just got it, so I'm glad to know that they last a long time - I know I can't get another in a hurry!



They do a weeks free trial, although I think you may have to pay the transport cost.

Well I have both the Buffet B12 and Student Hanson in my house hold and both are very good for learning on. To my untrained ear the sound difference isn't anything to write home about, one maybe warmer (is that a valid term).

The other consideration is that the Hanson will repair etc for five year FOC other than postage of course. They are also brilliant people to talk to if you have a query!

They are definitely coming to the Leeds forum concert with all sorts of different instruments, and will bring whatever anybody wants to look at. They've been really friendly and helpful and seem like a very nice company.

For buying a clarinet... Begginners can try either Yamaha YCL-250, which is nice, but I prefer Buffet B12 which you could use till grade 8!! ( One of my friends do, he got distinction!!!) About the reeds, try out these sizes>> 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2. Find out which is better for you. Don get too easy to use or too hard, just get perfect. Then go for variations of reeds. Hope you the best from playing clarinet!

If you're looking for a decent instrument, check out the vintage scene!!

I have a 1952 French clarinet which is a lovely instrument - and it has "character" too!

Thank you so much everyone, and sorry i didn't reply sooner!

I think that I'm still going to ponder a bit before buying one... but at the moment I do like the sound of teh Buffet B12.

Thanks again, guys! there's obviously alot more to the clarinet than I thought!

both of those are good (y)
but if u want to go for something cheaper.. there are usually good beginners clarinets in local music shops quite cheap...
they might not hav a famous name or anythingg, but they seemed to play pretty well.
i started on a 'Fighter' clarinet... i hadnt heard of it when my parents bought it and i havent seen another fighter since.. but didnt do me any harm (: nd was pretty good!





oh anddd...
as for the guy who said tht LeBlancs must have a amazing key work...
i must say
its not as good as it could be...
can be clonky, & mysteriously one of my keys was bent so much tht i had to send it back - bearing in mind that i didnt damage it in anyway... it was sent back 3 hours after i got it. - probably damged whilst they were packing it away in the shop,

& to finish . just try the clarinet to see how it suits u, different clarinets suit different people better.