Clarinet help cont.?

Question

Hello

I have been playing clarinet for 6 years

I plan to become a music performer as my MINOR

Im going to be attending CSUF this fall

and i need help with the purchase of a new clarinet

I own 3 already

but iM ready for an upgrade

can anyone help me decide witch one to buy

I plan on buying a buffett

but not sure

and my budget is under 2,000

how much should u i spend?

Is an Intermediate level ok for my 6 years of expierence??

oh yeah i just purchased some reeds from this site

and im planning on buying this clarinet

http://www.wwbw.com/Buffet-Crampon-BC2501-2-0--E11-Bb-Intermediate-Clarinet-i25318.music

is it a good deal?]

please i need proffessional help

Answer 1

The R13 is a great horn and it's quite common in college. I am playing on a Buffet Festival but it's quite pricey. Get the best horn you can, think of this as an investment instead of an expense.

Please play the horn first. Go to a music store with more than one horn in stock. Bring your own mouthpiece and reed so you have a base to compare to.

Play your chromatic scale the whole range. Check for even tone throughout the registers and ease of reaction. Go fast and check for fluid movement and then go nice and slow with your tuner out and check on the pitch.

I spend a lot on my horn and it's extremely flat in the throat tones. I've had to get a shorter barrel and that made some notes go sharp so I have to do a lot of adjusting to my embouchure. Save your self this headache and play it with a tuner before you hand over your money.

If you really want to buy on the Internet check and see if it's returnable if you are unhappy with it. It's a pain paying for shipping and waiting for the mail but better than being stuck with something you are unhappy with.

And don't underestimate the value of a used horn. I'd suggest a music store or a personal recommendation though so you know your getting a horn that has been taken care of. You can get a great price on a good horn. Age isn't a big deal if it's been well cared for. If you go this route make sure you get it oiled too.

Answer 2

Well honestly, some of it depends on your major... if you plan on Majoring in Sports Medicine or Accounting, and you don't have plans to persue music after college (except playing for yourself on the weekend or something), then there is nothing wrong with the E11.  Buffet makes great instruments, and would most likely be an upgrade from your marching clarinets of high school.

However, if you are planning on Majoring in Education (music education?!), then yes... please try to find something a little more advanced... the Buffet R13 is the horn that most of your peers will be using (with a few Selmer Signatures and a couple other horns thrown in).  As the other posters have said, try to look around for a used R13... they CAN be found for much less than retail.  While I agree with the policy of "try before you buy", I don't think it's really neccesary with the R13- anything else you should try, but the R13 is KNOWN for its dependability and consistancy.

Colleges all have different requirements for their music minors: some only require HALF the private lessons, recitals, etc., maybe playing in ONE ensemble a year, and MAYBE require a jury... not all do for their music Minors.  If you are not going to be performing rigorously, if you don't have to do juries, or if you only have to participate in one ensemble, just go with the E11... why spend the extra money for a pro model if your tone quality isn't going to be under the microscope and determining if you graduate?!

However, if you can find an R13- even used- I HIGHLY advise you to go for it.  It is a great, quality instrument that will last you a lifetime and will not disappoint.

As far as WWBW... that's where I got my Bufft R13 a few years ago.  I ordered a used one (when they still sold used ones) that had a scratch in the finish... it cost me $1250.  I waited.  4 days after it was supposed to have arrived, I called them to find out where it was... they had messed up and double sold it, and it had already been shipped to a different customer.  To rectify the mess-up, they OVERNIGHTED a BRAND NEW factory sealed R13 to me at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE and waived all shipping fees.  I have never had such a great experience before or since with an online customer service department and I recommend them BECAUSE of that.

Also, WWBW has a financing plan ("play it now", I believe), so maybe you can afford that R13 anyways?!  Try giving them a call and see if they have anything in stock that's not listed on their website... and if you get something from them that turns out to be damaged, they have a GREAT return policy too.

Anyways, I hope this was helpful!  Have fun in college- it was certainly a blast for me! :)

Answer 3

HI CC.   If your budget is $2000.00 you are going to spend every penny of it on your professional model clarinet.  You are on track with the Buffet.  But I would strongly advise you to keep your eyes open for the Buffet R-13 as you will not be taken very seriously with an intermediate model... even if it is a Buffet.    I would venture to say that 98% of all serious clarinet students in college are playing the R-13.   Honesly,  a new one will cost more than $2000, though you can get a used one for somewhere under that price.    Where to look??   Try Craigslist . org.  Try the colleges' music boards where students are trying to sell their horns.  Check the local news papers...  you are going to find one.   The clarinet you are looking at is ok for a high schooler...  but when you get into your college music program and see what the majors/minors are playing,  you will regret not trying to find the R-13.     Hope that helps.

Music Teacher