Grade 8+ clarinet buying. Advice ?

[Helenluvsrob]

After the violin thread ...

Youngest has a music service clarinet that's apparent a good one etc ( though it's been to repair 2x since sept!) otherwise she has the £100 eBay Yamaha I bought for eldest when she started - which is ok in bomb proof plastic - nothing ever goes wrong with it!

Dd can have a loan instrument till she leaves the music service. But I hope she's keep playing at a respectable level so needs an instrument.

Suggestions please - what budget ? What models and really where to find second hand I guess.

Thanks

Helen,

I have had good recommendations for models from DS's very experienced music teacher when he moved on from music service instruments (like you, i expect him to carry on making music after he leaves school - and wanted him to have the fun of a good instrument for a little bit before that as well)

I have bought his instruments from specialist woodwind shops, who often have secondhand instruments for sale, and are great about allowing you to try out in the shop etc. I found the shop I got DS's saxophone from via Goiogle, using the model I wanted + rough area as search terms,. Or you can go to the brand website and look for stockists, who you can then call about second hand instruments, if that makes sense?

DC play brass, not woodwind, but their teacher not only recommended which exact ones to get (different brands for each DC, so thought about) but also got us a 50% discount on RRP (i.e. £1.5k not £3!)

Teacher may also have pupils or ex pupils wanting to sell an instrument.

Ask the music teacher's advice. I've found them to be delighted to be involved.

These links might offer some ideas:

www.normans.co.uk/blog/2014/05/clarinet-buyers-guide/

www.dawkes.co.uk/clarinets/clarinet-reeds.php

www.thetutorpages.com/tutor-article/clarinet/learning-to-play-the-clarinet/5868

Thanks. Lots to chew over !

You may not want to hear this but players actually need two clarinets at higher level repertoire both solo and orchestra and the second hand A clarinets are often sold as a pair with a Bflat. That means it is worth making sure of the resale value of the Bflat if that is all you want to buy at present. It is a big investment so definitely follow the advice of the music teacher and have the instruments on trial to try with the teacher. Mouthpieces are also often bought separately (and interchanged between clarinets) so that needs to be factored in. Student Buffet clarinets seem to hold their value well.

We are in a similar situation but are renting a Buffet E13 for now to see if it's the right choice. It does seem to make a big difference.

Sendsummer we had this discussion last night :) she spent orchestra transposing a piece down a semi tone , which was alright till it moved into a complicated key !