Well, about 2 years ago when I started lessons with my current teacher, she told me it was time for me to get a new clarinet. I had been playing on a plastic student model and desperately needed an upgrade. She really wanted me to get a Buffet R-13, but because of the price, we compromised on an E-11. Now that I've decided to pursue music in college next year, she keeps telling me that my professors will probably nag me to get another upgrade. I'm happy with my E-11, but then again, I don't really know any better. What exactly is the difference between a student model and a professional model? Would my E-11 really be holding me back?

I do realize that eventually I will need a new clarinet, but my current one is still fairly new. I'll have to somehow explain to my parents why it's so important! In the meantime, I guess I'll start saving what little money I have...

But you're not there yet, so they haven't nagged you.

Why not wait to get their opinion as well?

You will need a better instrument in the future. The E11 is the wooden version of the B12 so it won't have the same amount of undercutting and time spent on it that the R13 has, but with a good mouthpiece, reed and barrel, it should be okay for a while.

Steve

You probably will need to upgrade from an E11 at some point if your degree will be involving a lot of performance. However as stevensfo has said, you aren't there yet and you professors will probably have some strong opinions about what you need.

Assuming you've already upgraded the mouthpiece on the E11 stick with what you've got for now unless you have money to burn on a new instrument.

The difference between an intermediate and pro instrument is hard to sumarise. My experience is that the range of dynamics (at both extremes) are easier to obtain and in general the instrument is capable of more variety of tone colour. It is probably worth you trying out pro instruments just to get a feel for whether they make a significant difference to your playing.

I think you'd be better off saving then using the contacts/advice of your college prof. to help you find the ideal instrument for you.

Oh, I definitely agree with both of you, and I'm not planning to make a major purchase until a professor tells me so! It's just something I'm starting to think about. I see no reason why my E-11 couldn't get me through at least a year or two of college. I currently use a Vandoren B45 with Vandoren reeds, so I know that also helps. When I got my E-11, we tried to also upgrade everything else.

It sounds like there isn't any drastic difference between the E-11 and R-13. I know my teacher has an R-13, so maybe that's why she feels so strongly about it.

Like your teacher, I went from E11 to R13, and you can notice the difference.

I'd be inclined, if at all possible, to try a lot of clarinets/mouthpieces etc., to see what suits you best. It may not necessarily be an R13, or indeed any Buffet.

When you do get around to upgrading I'd try as many instruments within your budget as you can too.
It's quite possible that something other than the first one you think of will suit you better.

(I see Barry beat me to it.)

Great minds think alike!

One other thing I've just remembered, if you get an R13, I'd advise against using a Buffet mouthpiece. They make great clarinets, but not so great mouthpieces, in my opinion.

That's exactly what my teacher told me when I bought my E-11. I've never even touched the mouthpiece that came with it.

I did - and you again can tell the difference between it and, say, a Vandoren B45. It doesn't show the Buffet mouthpiece up in a good light...

Buffet mouthpieces make great doorstops!

I think the only instrument manufacturer who also makes good mouthpieces is Selmer. The Yamaha and LeBlanc mouthpieces I've had were pretty dreadful though the former have improved a lot in the last 10 years and the latter was rather nice......after it was refaced.