Clarinet reccomendations for children

[Tony]

Well, the new school year is almost upon us, which means a fresh crop of new 4th grade 8 and 9 year old musicians are about to spring forth unto the world.

Could anyone reccomend a good student model clarinet (and possibly a pros & cons comparsion to others). I would like to stay in and around $300 or less, I am looking for non-wood and I am leaning toward one of the big names; ie. Selmer, Yamaha, Vito, and Buffet (am I missing any?). However, they offer so many models and prices, and the catalogs use a lot of descriptives but none that make sense to me.

Your advice and counsel is appreciated.

Tony.

[Dan000892]

Well... Vito Resotone 3 (Model 7213 I believe) is an overall good choice. It is one of the best selling clarinets in the world. I "upgraded" to it myself in 6th grade from a late 1960's Bundy, which I have since "downgraded" to again. It is a very nice clarinet which I recommend to students since I've had experience with it, many friends and colleagues have had positive experiences and because they can be found for $300 new, $200 used.

Through high school I saw more of these clarinets than any other. By senior year, a few who were going to be music majors or minors had upgraded to R-13's or E-11's, but still used the Resotone for marching.

For the price (for plastic), I don't think it can be beat.

*I say for plastic, because a nice wood Selemer Signet can be found used for about the same price on ebay, but that's definitely not a horn for a student.

[Bartleby]

Have a look at the Hanson Clarinet UK site. I have one and am really pleased with it.

[Gordon (NZ)]

From a playing and servicing point of view, my choice is Yamaha, Yamaha, and Yamaha. I find Yamahas easier to service than Vitos, hence cheaper. In USA are Vito's cheaper to purchase?

[Dan000892]

I believe Vitos are less expensive here because they've kinda flooded the marked. In six years the price has dropped from $500 for the 7212/7213 to $300. I've had no problems servicing my Vito over the years.

I haven't played a Yamaha clarinet, so I'm unable to comment on them.

[Tony]

In discussing this with others, it seems that my initial price range thinking is a bit constrictive! Perhaps this is my first bit of enlightenment. However, at least the Buffet B10 and B12 and one of the Vito models can be had upwards to $330, which is in my strikezone.

Gordon, I am pleased that the Yamaha is a prefered choice among repair technicians. Yamaha's website claims that their new design uses the same barrel width as their pro horns. I wonder if this implies a quality sound on thier student models (once the squeeky years are past)?

With student clarinets, should you automatically toss the mpc and use a Vandoren or Selmer, or does it not matter at that age? I'm torn between having a good sound that motivates a young student to want to play more, and overthinking this thing.

Thanks,
Tony

[Gordon (NZ)]

I see absolutely nothing wrong with a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece for beginers.

Heck! I often use one for testing repaired instruments.

I am a reasonably accomplished amateur player in all manner of shows, and nobody would notice if I was using a 4C one night.

BTW I am a little reluctant to rave about the plastic Yamaha too much, because I don't know to what extent those marketed in USA resemble the ones I see from Japan, which leave a lot of wooden instruments for dead!