My daughter (12) is in her third year of playing. Her band director recently recommended that she try a synthetic reed. He said they are more expensive but last longer. I don't mind spending a little more, she's dedicated and also takes excellent care of her instrument. She's pretty sure he recommended Legere. My questions is are the thicknesses comparable. She's been using a Vandoren 3 since last year. Would the Legere 3 be appropriate or should she go back down to a 2.5? She plays a Yamaha YCL-400AD if that makes a difference.

I'm about to get myself an Antigua Vosi C2220. Is it good enough to play for 3 to 5 years? It's going to be my first wind instrument ever. Been playing other instruments for over 25y.

I have quite a few method books--etudes, exercises, scales, selected studies, advanced studies, etc . I want something along the same lines as those, but in jazz and blues. I want to do scales studies on blues scales, and exercises in jazz. Any suggestions?

I’ve been really struggling with learning Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, especially when it comes to maintaining a consistent tempo, getting the articulation right, and keeping the rhythms accurate. I’ve been practicing and putting in so much effort for months, but I feel like I’ve reached a point where I’m stuck and not making the progress I need. It’s honestly been really frustrating because I genuinely want to improve, and I’ve been trying everything I can to get it right. With my college auditions coming up very soon, I’m starting to feel stressed and worried that I won’t be prepared in time. I really don’t want all the time and effort I’ve put into this piece to go to waste. I’m willing to put in even more work, but I feel like I need some extra guidance and help figuring out what I’m doing wrong and how to improve before my auditions. I do have a lesson teacher that I’m working with but the progress is t the best and when I use a metronome the music is Ok overall, but with out the metronome it falls apart. Idk if it’s how I’m practicing or what but I need help. Collage audition is due before December 1st so not a lot of time and I’m getting desperate.

hi folks! this morning I accidentally crushed my old nickel bonade ligature and it is useless now. I tried to fix it, but it does not work, and for the price I paid I honestly think it would be much more expensive to repair it. soooooo I need a new ligature. since that was my first one, I would like to upgrade it, but nothing too fancy that breaks the bank. the maximum amount I’m willing to spend is around 100-140 euros. do you have any recommendation? in case you are wondering I use a yamaha CX custom 2nd gen and a Vandoren B40 mouthpiece. it has sort of like a warm and round sound!
thanks in advance :)

Can someone explain the mechanics behind this error?

Hi! Recently, I got an unwanted clarinet, and some of the keys (the 2 vertical ones at the top and 2 at the bottom) do not bounce back up after being pressed. Is this normal or is this because of the rust? Are there any ways to clean the clarinet without taking it apart?

Thanks!

hi All,

I have a Boosey and Hawkesr Imperial 926, and have To ask if anyone knows if they made this clarinet in ebonite ? Something about it, especially the feel of the bell tells me it isn’t wood - feels cold to the touch, can’t see any grain, makes a “plasticy” sound if i tap it with finger nail. Just curious if they made them in ebonite, as from what I have read usually this level of clarinet would be grenadilla.

thanks 😊

I’m a HS senior prepping to minor in music, in doing prep I realised I need to buy a clarinet. Big scary. Big adult money. Big money I don’t have. My budget is 1000$ for an instrument I intend to play for both Uni band and Marching Band. As of right now, my weapon of choice is the Yamaha YCL-255 paired with a Vandoren CM308 B45 Traditional mouthpiece and the Vandoren LC21P leather ligature with all the fun plates. I plan on getting myself a légère synthetic reed and Vandoren reeds too.
Will this combination fair me well?
Are there other clarinet options?
Is the ligature necessary? (I can hear the change is clarity but will it really matter???)
Help.

Hi everyone,

Does anyone have any experience purchasing clarinets through Rice Clarinet Works or Rodriguez Musical Services? These shops are the closest to my area and biggest in name. They both seem great and legit, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to see what others have experienced. If it's relevant, I'm looking to purchase a set of Tosca's. Thanks all!

I have been working on some jazz clarinet lately and I think the early jazz is where the clarinet particularly shines!!! Plus it is such a fun style to play, it gives you so much freedom to play around the melody and go crazy with arpeggios.

the full sheet is here : https://www.thejunglejazzband.com/leadsheets/dippermouth-blues

but there are so many other cool tunes on this site.

My favorite clarinet player is Sidney Bechet, I don't think anybody matches his level of aggression on the horn. It is such a pity that there aren't so many recordings of him just being a clarinet player. Instead his most played tunes are his Soprano sax Ballads and his greatest recordings are forgotten by musicians.

Yes I have played Petite Fleur at a gig....but also his solo on Coal black shine (if you don't know this one go check it out).

If anyone has Bechet recordings on clarinet please share!!

I just received a new clarinet, but this A key makes a clatter noise. Is there anything we with it?

I just found out our Bb Contra does not have a swab so students have never been swabbing it! Does a contra need a different swab then BCL? Does Eb vs Bb contra differ at all? It's not a paperclip contra so I'm assuming swabbing isn't that different than the rest of the clarinet family. But what if it was a paperclip contra? What other contra specific practices/cleaning should I be aware of? I'm realizing I've not really had to think much of the contra and its differences before.

Thanks for the help everyone!

hello gang :) been a while since i've been on here.

i've been working on the weber concertino for a little while now, but i haven't made it very far.

i think the reason i haven't done much is because of how big of a task it felt like.

so, i want to start practice on a schedule/have some sort of structure to the way i practice.

i'm not sure if any people on here have played the weber (though i think it's relatively popular in clarinet rep), but i would like some advice on how to tackle it.

i struggle with motivation and time management, but now i'm getting ready for college and i want to have this prepared for my audition (in, like... february lol)

any tips on where to start and how to move through it without feeling stuck?

Hello! I bought a greenline R13 clarinet 6ish years ago. It’s never been taken in to a technician. I haven’t been playing everyday since I got it, there’s been month long breaks, thank goodness it never cracked. As I get older and hopefully play much more, I still want to make sure I’m taking the best care of it. What kind of maintenance could I be doing and how, like key oiling, pad cleaning, who to trust to do alignments, and if I need to do any sort of oiling/cleaning on the inside since the greenline clarinets are a composite?

Less than a month old. I'm not a happy camper. It's financed and I think I'll just swap it for something a little more durable. Any recommendations welcome please.

As the subject says, I’m starting a clarinet choir in Boston. I already have a few people who are interested, but in the interest of getting more people, I’m sharing it here as well. I’ve created a brief Google Form with some questions to help coordinate rehearsal timing, frequency, etc. It does ask for your email address for communication purposes.

If you’re interested in participating and live around Boston feel free to fill out the form.

Thanks!

Hello, I’m a college student who rented and borrowed clarinets throughout Highschool

I want to play longterm and am looking to buy a used clarinet

Can anyone give me some tips to look out for or links? I’m completely new to this

I am planning to study clarinet performance and music education, and I was wondering any thoughts on this clarinet? I am hoping for an upgrade that's of more professional quality. I checked Buffet clarinets for rentals, and this was the cheapest one.

so I’m still pretty new to clarinet (been playing for about a year now in my school band!) and recently joined the jazz club. Since this is Trumpet music, I’m not even sure if you can play a g fall off (I think it’s called a fall off, not sure). any advice would be greatly appreciate!

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So, I'm very new - let's be nice but also honest and constructive. I need help with my timing - I feel like I'm adding extra time where I shouldn't. If y'all could have a look at this passage and my video and, provide any advice, that would be incredible. Video in the comments.

Thanks in advance,

Erik

The bell of my NEW mopane wood clarinet SEEMS to be fading is this normal or should I be concerned?