Clarinet for Child

[Balladeer]

Clarinet is my weakest instrument, and I have been working on it. I have one clarinet, an older LeBlanc Symphonie (no model number) I inherited from my Dad 12 years ago.

My young son will be turning 8 next month. He has expressed an interest in playing clarinet for 15 months. He is capable of making a satisfactory tone on middle (open) G when I hold the clarinet for him. I'd like to buy a clarinet that will be easy for him to learn on. I'm looking at Yamaha YCL-20 and YCL-34, LeBlanc Normandy Resotone and LeBlanc Normandy wooden clarinets on eBay. My goal is to buy a clarinet in good repair for under $250. Am I targeting the best brand/models for a young boy, and is my price goal realistic?

[knighttrain]

Balladeer, My father bought a noblet wooden clarinet for me when I was in 2nd grade. I am still playing it. I recently purchased a virtual duplicate for my wife - $100 on ebay and a premium overhaul for $140. Total cost $240 - about what you want to pay. With luck, you might be able to do even better. Used student and intermediate clarinets are cheap. Only professional clarinets seem to hold value when used. Shouldn't cost you much more to buy your son an intermediate model.

[Gordon (NZ)]

If you buy from Ebay, and expect the instrument to be sufficiently easy to play for a beginner not to put the kid off playing, then expect to pay more for the overhaul than for the instrument.

[Balladeer]

Gordon,
Are you suggesting that I am likely to have a significantly better result by buying locally and trying before I buy? I would prefer that, but I am working an assignment out of town and only get home 1 weekend a month. It's likely to remain like that until Christmas.

[Sigmund451]

I have 2 clarinets I will let go for a reasonable offer. Both need pad work. Springs and corks appear to be fine. One is a Bosey and Hawkes The Edgeware, the other a Doucet. Both would be worth putting in a few bucks and still spending less than a cheap starter clarinet.
Sigmund451@hotmail.com

[rollen]

Balladeer,

Look into the Buffet plastic models. For a student level clarinet, they have a nice sound. I picked one up for ~$100. It needed a little work, but now it plays really nice. I would suggest staying away from wood for the time being.

Also, the Clark W. Fobes "Debut" mouthpiece is an excellent mouthpiece for a beginner (and beyond). They are hand finished and are reasonably priced. More info: http://www.clarkwfobes.com/

[Balladeer]

Thanks for the suggestions. I snagged a Yamaha YCL-20 in excellent condition for $155 including shipping and the 4C mpc.

[JoeV]

ok...this post has been idle for a long time...but if you havn't purchased an instrument yet, a good one is the lyons c clarinet which is very durable and made entirely of plastic.