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I need some recommendations for a Bb clarinet good enough for a kid playing with a very decent youth symphony. She will probably continue to play it in college and beyond but not become a music major. She's quite good.

Back in 1965, when I was a HS freshman, I spend one semester playing Bb clarinet - I think it was a Selmer Ebonite (plastic) job which was actually brand new at the time. It seemed to play OK when my teacher played it but sounded like S**t when I did. Every now and then, I think of trying one again as I love the sound of a good classical clarinet player and some of the rep written for the instrument. Besides, these tubas and euhoniums get heavier each day . . .

I spoke with Mrs. Bloke this afternoon. She is, indeed, a godess of knowledge about clarinets, bassoons and the like. She is also very sweet and pleasant to speak with. I am very thankful for her comments and advice.

. . . and she is married to Mr. Bloke . . . go figure . . .

Alex F wrote:I spoke with Mrs. Bloke this afternoon. She is, indeed, a godess of knowledge about clarinets, bassoons and the like. She is also very sweet and pleasant to speak with. I am very thankful for her comments and advice.

. . . and she is married to Mr. Bloke . . . go figure . . .

opposites attract

A word of advice: If you get her a good (wooden) clarinet, be sure she understands proper maintenance, and to be especially careful about temperature. Never leave the clarinet in a car, or anyplace that isn't climate controlled. Excessive temperature changes will cause the clarinet to crack, and if one a crack happens to reach a tone hole, it could mean big trouble. I've known a few people who've had really good clarinets essentially ruined by a crack.

And of course, if she participates in marching band at her school, then keep her old (likely plastic) clarinet around, and make sure she NEVER takes the good one to marching band.

TMurphy wrote:A word of advice: If you get her a good (wooden) clarinet, be sure she understands proper maintenance, and to be especially careful about temperature. Never leave the clarinet in a car, or anyplace that isn't climate controlled. Excessive temperature changes will cause the clarinet to crack, and if one a crack happens to reach a tone hole, it could mean big trouble. I've known a few people who've had really good clarinets essentially ruined by a crack.

It's true, though for me the crack happens not strictly speaking because the thing got cold in the car, but because it was played while cold, causing a rapid temperature change starting from the inside. Or played too much when very dried out. A cracked clarinet body can sometimes be salvaged, but it's sure trouble.

I believe that if you really take care to make the body the same - undercut tone holes, for example - no one will be able to tell by ear that it isn't a wood clarinet, so there's no obvious reason for wood for a young person. When old enough to be responsible for oneself, though ... as it is an artistic pursuit, there's no sense in trying too hard to make sense, so wood may make all the sense we can ask for.

Donn wrote: It's true, though for me the crack happens not strictly speaking because the thing got cold in the car, but because it was played while cold, causing a rapid temperature change starting from the inside. Or played too much when very dried out. A cracked clarinet body can sometimes be salvaged, but it's sure trouble.

Completely agreed, which is why I think leaving it in the car is a bad idea. If it goes from the house, to the car (which, while being driven, is likely heated), into another heated building, you shouldn't have to worry about letting the instrument sit and warm up for a while before playing it. It shouldn't take long to reach room temperature.

I also agree about material. I remember reading an article a year or two ago about hard rubber being the ideal material for a clarinet, indistinguishable in sound from grenadilla or rosewood. I'll see if I can find it.

TMurphy wrote:I remember reading an article a year or two ago about hard rubber being the ideal material for a clarinet, indistinguishable in sound from grenadilla or rosewood.

http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com ... lamyth.htm

I like polypropylene myself, but don't know if anyone makes clarinets out of it. (Bass clarinets, and bassoons, but don't know of any soprano clarinets.) I have a rubber clarinet that has been unusable for years due to the smell. Maybe maintenance with some kind of oil would have preserved it better.