Expert: Rebecca - 2/9/2012

Question
QUESTION: My high school daughter is playing a fully reconditioned Selmer USA Signet SPECIAL wood clarinet S/N 87984 with a SELMER Paris HS mouthpiece and we've been told that we should upgrade. Considering a Selmer older model wood SOLOIST or Buffet R-13. We'd appreciate your advice on whether we need to upgrade and what we should look for in a used clarinet. Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Mike,

Who told you to upgrade, and did they say why? Is your daughter planning to major in music in college? Is she taking private lessons?

Please let me know the answers to the above questions and I would be happy to offer advice to you. Also, check out past answers on the topic because this questions arises often.

More to follow, and have a great day!

Rebecca

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Rebecca,

My daughter is taking music lessons and attends a school with a very competitive band program. Her private instructor recommends the upgrade but she is not that interested in playing in college. The instructor already had us buy a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece but my research indicates that her Selmer Paris HS is a nice piece. Thanks for your advice.

Answer
Hi Mike,

Mouthpieces do get "blown out" over time so it's possible that your daughter needed a new one. I prefer the Vandoren M15 to the B45, though.  It's also possible that your daughter's clarinet is "blown out."  Have her check the intonation on her 12ths to find out.  Using a tuner, play low E, then add the register key. How much did the tuner move? Repeat with ascending half steps (F-C, F#-C#, G-D, etc.). 10 cent variation is fairly typical, but blown out clarinets can be very flat on the lower notes and sharp in the higher range.  It makes playing in tune very difficult (and only possible with a good ear), and sometimes practically impossible.

Even a new clarinet can have badly tuned 12ths, it's one of the things that you should check carefully when purchasing a new instrument. You also want to find an instrument with an even sound across all registers, a good feel, easy response, etc.

If you decide that your daughter could use a new clarinet after checking the 12ths, you could check out used clarinets like the Buffet R13 or Selmer pro model. The ideal instrument to find is one that has not been used much. If you end up buying a new R13 and want to sell it in a few years, let me know!

Good luck!

Rebecca