Student Musical Clarinet - Recommendations, please?!
Question: Student Musical Clarinet - Recommendations, please!?
Hello!. My middle school son has band this year, and will be playing the Clarinet for the first time!.I am interested in renting a clarinet!. Yet I have no idea where to go, what type of clarinet (plastic or wood) and etc!. also I am looking into getting him private lessons, so he can practice and excel with playing this instrument!.
I live in Atlanta, GA area!. Could you please provide me with some good information, please!. I certainly would appreciate it!.
Thanks!Www@Enter-QA@Com
I live in Atlanta, GA area!. Could you please provide me with some good information, please!. I certainly would appreciate it!.
Thanks!Www@Enter-QA@Com
Answers:
Well, congrats on getting your kid into music! Even if he doesn't stick with it, it will give him some great memories and unique skills!
Anyways, the best place to go to rent an instrument would be your local music store!.!.!. but call the school music director and find out what store THEY deal through!. Usually, you can get student discounts on things like maintenance and reeds, and they can also recommend a good private instructor!. also, many have rent to own programs, so if your son stays with it, you will own the clarinet after a couple years!.
Most stores will rent an instrument for about $20 - $25 a month, but don't forget the "accessories" like reeds, swab, cork grease, music stand, etc!.!.!. the beautiful thing is that most stores that deal with beginners have great kits with everything you need already included! The reeds are usually seperate though- and to start, no need to spend gobbs of money!.!.!. get him the cheapies because he will break them constantly his first year!. Look for Rico strength 2; they run about $17 for a box of 10!.
All beginner clarinets are plastic, as they are more durable!. Wood clarinets give a much better tone, but require more care!.!.!. they are also 10x more expensive! A decent student model clarinet (if you buy it new) is about $300+/-, but a good wood clarinet can range from $1000 (intermediate) to $8000 (high end pro model)!. Plastic is MUCH better for beginners, as they are cheaper to maintain and repair!.
Stick to the name brands!. You can find brands like "First Act" or "Amati" at Sears, Walmart, Costco, Target, etc!.!.!. BUT THESE ARE TRASH! They are no better than toys and your son will be very frustrated trying to play!.!.!. plus, he will have no basis to know if HE is doing something wrong or the HORN is doing something wrong!.
Brands to look for are Selmer (sister companies Bundy), LeBlanc (Vito), Yamaha, and Buffet!. Buffet is also the leading manufacturer of professional clarinets: the Buffet R13 is the most well known pro model (and the Buffet R13 Prestige is the one that goes for $8K)!. However, their student models are comparable to the other brands in both quality and price!.
Another option: if you want a website to browse, try http://www!.wwbw!.com or http://www!.musiciansfriend!.com
Both websites have good warranties and return policies, customer service numbers that WORK, financing options, and usually offer free shipping!. They are both known and trusted sites by musicians!.!.!. but again, stick to the afore-mentioned name brands!.
Again though, I recommend taking your son to a music store!. They will help show him how to put the reed on, talk about care of the instrument, and let him try to blow a few notes!. also, going to a local store allows you to get to know the guys that will be repairing his instrument (which WILL happen at some point), and they will be able to answer your specific questions better than an online site (Y!A included)!.
If your son's school doesn't have a specific shop that they go through, try to google "band instrument retailers atlanta georgia"!.!.!. there are a TON of listings, but you may need to call around and see what they offer!.
Anyways, sorry this was so long, but I hope it was helpful!
Good luck to you and your son! :)
Www@Enter-QA@Com
Anyways, the best place to go to rent an instrument would be your local music store!.!.!. but call the school music director and find out what store THEY deal through!. Usually, you can get student discounts on things like maintenance and reeds, and they can also recommend a good private instructor!. also, many have rent to own programs, so if your son stays with it, you will own the clarinet after a couple years!.
Most stores will rent an instrument for about $20 - $25 a month, but don't forget the "accessories" like reeds, swab, cork grease, music stand, etc!.!.!. the beautiful thing is that most stores that deal with beginners have great kits with everything you need already included! The reeds are usually seperate though- and to start, no need to spend gobbs of money!.!.!. get him the cheapies because he will break them constantly his first year!. Look for Rico strength 2; they run about $17 for a box of 10!.
All beginner clarinets are plastic, as they are more durable!. Wood clarinets give a much better tone, but require more care!.!.!. they are also 10x more expensive! A decent student model clarinet (if you buy it new) is about $300+/-, but a good wood clarinet can range from $1000 (intermediate) to $8000 (high end pro model)!. Plastic is MUCH better for beginners, as they are cheaper to maintain and repair!.
Stick to the name brands!. You can find brands like "First Act" or "Amati" at Sears, Walmart, Costco, Target, etc!.!.!. BUT THESE ARE TRASH! They are no better than toys and your son will be very frustrated trying to play!.!.!. plus, he will have no basis to know if HE is doing something wrong or the HORN is doing something wrong!.
Brands to look for are Selmer (sister companies Bundy), LeBlanc (Vito), Yamaha, and Buffet!. Buffet is also the leading manufacturer of professional clarinets: the Buffet R13 is the most well known pro model (and the Buffet R13 Prestige is the one that goes for $8K)!. However, their student models are comparable to the other brands in both quality and price!.
Another option: if you want a website to browse, try http://www!.wwbw!.com or http://www!.musiciansfriend!.com
Both websites have good warranties and return policies, customer service numbers that WORK, financing options, and usually offer free shipping!. They are both known and trusted sites by musicians!.!.!. but again, stick to the afore-mentioned name brands!.
Again though, I recommend taking your son to a music store!. They will help show him how to put the reed on, talk about care of the instrument, and let him try to blow a few notes!. also, going to a local store allows you to get to know the guys that will be repairing his instrument (which WILL happen at some point), and they will be able to answer your specific questions better than an online site (Y!A included)!.
If your son's school doesn't have a specific shop that they go through, try to google "band instrument retailers atlanta georgia"!.!.!. there are a TON of listings, but you may need to call around and see what they offer!.
Anyways, sorry this was so long, but I hope it was helpful!
Good luck to you and your son! :)
Www@Enter-QA@Com
Look in the Yellow Pages under musical instruments!. As a side note
my granddaughter plays in the United States Army Field Band!. She would come home from school and practice everyday!. She had played with several orchestras before joining the Army Field Band which is not easy to do as they only have so many openings!. Good clarinets can be very expensive, hers was over $300!.00!. I would suggest the plastic if the child is just learning, may lose interest in the future!.Www@Enter-QA@Com
my granddaughter plays in the United States Army Field Band!. She would come home from school and practice everyday!. She had played with several orchestras before joining the Army Field Band which is not easy to do as they only have so many openings!. Good clarinets can be very expensive, hers was over $300!.00!. I would suggest the plastic if the child is just learning, may lose interest in the future!.Www@Enter-QA@Com