Posted by js - more on August 26, 2003 at 13:33:20:
In Reply to: Re: Clarinet savvy? HELP!! posted by js on August 26, 2003 at 03:07:20:
Plastic clarinets are perfect for beginners for several reasons:
- Without exception, the internal dimensions (and keys) of the name-brand plastic clarinets are identical to the same-brand least expensive wood model.
- Plastic is much more reliable than the lowest-grade of wood. Many of the name-brand lowest grade wood clarinets (Buffet E11, Noblet 40) are made of such poor wood that these instruments are dyed black to hide imperfections and "filled" places.
- Wood instruments (whether "low grade" wood or "select" wood are very succeptable to cracking. Particularly when used in the fall in marching band applications, blowing 98.6 F. degree air down through the middle of a piece of wood that is only 43 degrees F. is ASKING that piece of wood to crack...REGARDLESS of how "stable" that piece of wood is in the first place.
- There does exist a widespread bias against plastic clarinets, but I would put forth that this is due to 1/ Their bargain price, due to mass production 2/ The poor condition of many old plastic clarinets, due to abuse. This reputation has little to do with reality, in fact...
- Loree (most popular professional brand in the U.S.) oboes made in France cost MORE with a PLASTIC top joint than with a WOOD top joint, and the most desirable (elusively so) English horns, Laubin, though wood - have a hard rubber (plastic-like) liner in the bore of their top joints. Further, the highly-regarding Fox "intermediate" model oboes (over $2000) are made of plastic. Again, this anti-plastic clarinet bias is primarily based on their extremely low price...a price point which is extremely fortunate for the consumer.
- Beginners in general are too irresponsible to care for a wood clarinet, for the tiny benefits that might be realized over the comparable model wood clarinet of the same make. After all, the students do not even yet know how to make a sound, much less care for an instrument. Further (as mentioned above), if a kid ends up in later years with a wood clarinet, they should still hold on to a PLASTIC clarinet for marching band.
- In the U.S. various models of Vandoren (brand) mouthpieces are currently the vogue for many serious students. A few popular Vandoren mouthpieces include B45, 5RV"lyre", and various "M" series mouthpieces. HOWEVER, since kids tend to drop mouthpieces on the floor and break them (not repairable), since Vandoren mouthpieces are quite expensive a far better choice of a fine mouthpiece for beginners is the Hite "Premiere" model mouthpiece (priced in the $$ "twenties").