Better Your Best with Us!
When you start your adventure with clarinet, you probably wonder what is better: renting or buying the instrument? At many music stores, you will find various clarinet models at different prices. The range of choices and costs available today can make this decision very difficult. This week, we will discuss the pros and cons of either buying or renting your own instrument.
The clarinet family is very large. Clarinets of many sizes are used in band, orchestra, and as a solo instrument. The family can be broken down into four broad main categories- soprano, alto, bass, and contrabass. The B♭ soprano is the standard clarinet. The orchestra also frequently uses the A soprano clarinet. E♭ sopranino and B♭ bass clarinets are the next most common.
You’re probably wondering what the similarities and differences between the flute and clarinet? The most obvious one is that the flute is smaller than the clarinet! Even though the flute and clarinet both belong to the woodwind family, they have a lot of differences. Read more about this week’s blog post about how the flute and clarinet are different from one another?
Many of us start playing clarinet or saxophone, realize we enjoy it, and keep doing it—which means we use our instruments quite regularly. They are mechanical machines, and their parts will wear over time; inevitably, some kind of repair is eventually needed. Rather than having to find a reputable repair shop that has the time to work on your instrument, why not pursue some training in basic clarinet and/or saxophone repair?
Replacing clarinet pads is a common repair that is easy to perform. A good way to see if your clarinet pads need replacing is to do a visual inspection. If the pads are tattered, discolored, or old, it is usually a good time to replace them. Another way to check to see if the clarinet pads need to be replaced is the suction test for the clarinet’s top and bottom joint. If the clarinet does not seal properly, this means that the pad is leaking air. Loose pads can be reinstalled temporarily by heating the key cup with a cigarette lighter and slipping the pad back under the key cup with a pin. Apply light pressure to the pad so that it remains in the key cup until you are able to properly replace the pad or until you are able to schedule an appointment with a professional technician. The following is a do-it-yourself guide on how to replace pads on your clarinet.
To find the best clarinet ligature for your instrument, it is important to consider the following factors: type of clarinet, your desired sound, inverted or standard, price, and flexibility. Selecting a clarinet ligature can be a complicated process that involves experimenting with different types and brands until you find the one that fits your style of playing.
Clarinets get dirty, just like every other tool we use regularly. Clarinet mouthpieces also touch our mouths, creating an extra potential for germs.
What is a clarinet embouchure?
As clarinetists, it’s important to learn to take good care of the instrument to ensure that it performs as well as possible, for as long as possible.
Choosing a used clarinet can be a difficult and frustrating process. Unlike choosing a new instrument, used clarinets have had previous owners. It is important to have an idea of how long the instrument had been played and how the instrument has been maintained.