How to Choose a Clarinet

Benny Goodman popularized the clarinet during the Age of Swing. It is an
excellent instrument on which to learn the basics of music. It is a very
reasonable financial investment and provides social contact in bands and
orchestras, and the skills learned can be used to play the saxophone and flute as well.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chamois Cloth
• Clarinet Cases
• Clarinet Cork Grease
• Clarinet Reed Cases
• Clarinet Reed Trimmers
• Clarinet Reeds
• Clarinet Stands
• Clarinets

1. Know that the finest clarinets are made of ebony, Mozambique grenadilla or rosewood.

2. Choose a specially formulated, plastic material called "resonite" for school-quality clarinets.

3. Examine the closure or "seal" of the keypads against the holes in the sides of the clarinet. The seal should be airtight. Any air leakage will adversely affect the clarity of the tone production.

4. Test the low and high registers of the instrument.

5. Listen for accuracy of pitch changes.

6. Press every chrome-plated key to be sure it moves with ease.

7. Feel the tension or lack of it when pressing these keys. Springs are adjustable to keep keys open or closed.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase a "drop cloth" with a string and metal weight attached to a small chamois. This is drawn through the instrument to keep it dry.
• Use the best reeds for performances.
• Buy a good reed container to fit into the clarinet case.
• Invest in a reed trimmer. This will extend the life of a reed significantly.
• Exercise care when assembling the instrument parts.
• Utilize a special "clarinet cork grease" to aid the assembly of the instrument.
• Visit the Web sites of the Selmer Company, which makes excellent clarinets, and Patricola Brothers, one of the best Italian clarinet makers.
• Avoid bending the "bridge" keys when assembling the two parts of the central barrel.
• The long, tubular structure and the keys are easily damaged if the clarinet is knocked over when set down vertically on the flared bell. To avoid this, purchase a clarinet stand with conical dowling rods.

[chrisbs]

on 10/11/2006 http://www.fretland.com/clarbuyguid.html


How to Buy a Clarinet

on 9/6/2006 If you are a beginner, ask your band teacher, or private lesson instructor what to look at. These people will probably have a preference, or can at least guide you in picking the right clarinet. There are a lot of brands, models, and styles out there, one for every level of a musician.

on 6/30/2006 When choosing a clarinet, it is best to try them out with a mouthpiece/reed combination that works for you (as in one that makes a good sound) if at all possible. It is important to try to test several different instruments, as it does make a difference.

I remember when I was in search of my first clarinet. I had to try nine different clarinets before I found a little, old, used one. I had been trying brand new plastic clarinets, and I couldn't even make a sound on half of them! Even though you make be renting a new clarinet, it may not be in the best playing condition, or even playable at all! I ended up buying a wooden Buffet Evette from someone in town that had moved on to a newer, more professional model. I used that baby for three years, but it cracked one day all along the upper joint and I was absolutely heartbroken! It was the only clarinet that had worked for me, and now I thought it was toast and that it was all my fault! Luckily, my clarinet teacher explained that when a person plays their clarinet a lot in the winter, there is the possibility of it cracking. I managed to get it filled/repaired, but in the meantime, my teacher introduced me to a pair of Buffet RC Prestige clarinets. Wow, are they ever amazing! I've been playing them ever since and I'm never going to sell them!

Best of luck to all of you trying to pick out a clarinet! And just remember, try more than one!

on 11/22/2005 To protectt the bridge keys, push down the key under your left middle finger while twisting the two long parts together.

on 11/22/2005 During the winter months when there is little humidity in the air, dampen an old chamois with bore oil and run it through the clarinet to prevent cracks in the wood.