The Reeding Room
May 7, 2024
Danny King
So you're thinking of upgrading to a professional instrument?
If you’re a rising musician and considering a music career, then purchasing a professional instrument might be the next step for you. This is no easy financial decision and it should be taken with a lot of patience and time. Along with my story of purchasing my first professional clarinet, I have provided some suggestions when upgrading instruments. This is a topic I could talk about for hours, however, that podcast would be the same length as Barbenheimer. This topic suggestion is by @kelly.lyn on Instagram.
Throwback to 2016...
Entering my sophomore year in high school, I placed into the top wind ensemble. As the music became more technically challenging I noticed my beginner plastic clarinet was giving me issues both in the mechanisms and tone production. The cost of repairs would have been equal to the value of the instrument. My plastic clarinet was extremely bright sounding, keys were incredibly tarnished and resistant, pads were not sealing and sticky, and incredibly out of tune. Before purchasing a professional instrument, I tried a very old wooden Noblet clarinet from an antique music shop which honestly was not too bad. I played on that clarinet for a few months and although it sounded a lot better, issues quickly developed. Two cracks, pad leaks, corks falling off everywhere, you name it! I started back at square one with my beginner plastic clarinet…
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I began private lessons my junior year of high school which was when my teacher strongly suggested I try a new Buffet Crampon R13 clarinet. Of course, mentioning the price of one of these instruments to my parents just about gave them a heart attack. A new R13 clarinet was $4,500 which was no little purchase for me. I fell in love with this $4,500 clarinet (pictured) and quickly recognized that all the struggles I was experiencing disappeared. As big of a purchase that was, I was able to negotiate with my family that this beautiful piece of wood with shiny silver keys would be my birthday, Christmas, and graduation present for the next three years. That clarinet lasted me all throughout my undergrad. Upgrading to a well designed and carefully manufactured professional instrument advanced my progress as a musician because I was able to fully focus on the music and not the set-backs my beginner clarinet was giving me. I even recall my band directors noticing how much of a difference the new clarinet added to the ensemble sound. And yet I upgraded instruments, my well-loved beginner clarinet became my marching band clarinet for the next three years.
Me junior year of high school 2017
ILMEA All-State Headshot
Who should upgrade to a professional instrument?
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The rising high schooler who intends on studying in music education or performance.
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Music educators who freelance in professional jobs on the side.
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Those seeking a career in a professional orchestra or military band.
Note: If you’re a clarinetist, you should consider purchasing an A clarinet at some point before or during college. You’ll want to learn the Mozart Clarinet Concerto sooner rather than later! I didn’t have an A clarinet until I was a sophomore in undergrad.
Upgrade to a professional instrument when...
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The cost of repairs to your current instrument is greater than the value of the instrument. It might be a better financial decision to get a new instrument than putting a lot of money into consistent repairs for your old instrument.
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The instrument is out of extremely tune note by note. A professional instrument won’t be perfectly in tune either, but will be very close.
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You’re fighting your instrument more than being able to improve in the practice room. When you’re practicing, you want to be able to practice the music and how to shape a phrase with a good sound, not suffer through pad leaks or clanky keys.
Test-Playing Suggestions
In addition to all suggestions below, I strongly recommend writing notes on paper or in a journal to keep track of what you like and don’t like about the instrument, and any further observations you notice.
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Use clean and broken-in good reeds.
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When comparing two or more instruments ensure the mouthpiece, reed placement, and ligature are the same from one clarinet to the next.
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Consider not only how the instrument sounds, but how it FEELS. Is this clarinet more resistant than others? Is one register more difficult to project? Do the keys feel heavy or put any strain on your fingers? Do you prefer the feeling of silver-plated keys or nickel-plated keys?
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Use a tuner and write down each note's pitch tendency (sharp, flat, in tune) by playing a full range chromatic scale slowly at a medium volume. Write down the exact cents flat (-) or sharp (+). Not every note will be exactly in tune, but you’ll want to have an instrument that’s very close!
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Be prepared to play an F major scale (slurred and tongued) in three octaves and two contrasting etudes or excerpts to test how the instrument feels and sounds playing slurred and lyrical passages from fast and articulated excerpts.
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Consider if the instrument has the capability to play a wide dynamic range.
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Be patient, take your time, and ask for your music teachers’ opinions. Perhaps they would also like to test the instrument too. Listen to and consider their feedback before making final decisions.
Illinois Music Education Conference, Peoria, Illinois
January 28, 2022
The Music Shoppe booth
Trial and Purchasing Tips
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Try as many brands, models, and multiples of the same instrument. Not all horns are created equally therefore it’s a good idea to compare multiple models.
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If you’re looking to purchase a used professional instrument, ask about the history of the instrument. Prior cracks in the instrument, overhauls, maintenance history, etc.
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Ask for a trial period in order to play the instrument in multiple settings and have more time deciding. Keep in mind: most instrument dealers will require a down payment or full payment. Each instrument dealer has different trial, return, and warranty policies.
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If you are unable to pay the full balance upfront, apply for scholarships and grants for financial assistance. In addition, many dealers and music shops offer financing as an option to pay for the purchase over a longer period of time.
What about intermediate model instruments?
Carl's Pro Band in Bloomington, IL
DiZhao and Pearl Beginner & Intermediate Flutes
I personally have never owned an intermediate model instrument, however, I am aware that purchasing an intermediate models is a great option for multiple reasons. Intermediate modeled instruments have some advanced professional level features, but at a more affordable price. Currently, I play on a beginner flute that has been through the depths of marching band. I eventually would like to upgrade to an intermediate flute to have similar mechanisms and timbre of a professional model flute, however, I don’t want to spend $20,000 on a professional flute when the goal is not to be a professional flutist. If you know you want a better instrument but don’t have the desire of becoming a professional at your instrument, perhaps an intermediate model is a better fit for you.
Fast forward to 2024...
This past year, I made further upgrades to my clarinet set up. After six years on my R13 Buffet Crampon clarinets, I didn't feel that I could produce an open round sound like I used to. My clarinets were wonderful however I felt I was not able to achieve the highest level of playing on those clarinets anymore. I began doing some research and was introduced to this gorgeous Buffet Crampon Tradition Bb clarinet. Two additional features to this clarinet include the alternate Eb/Ab key for the left pinky and alternate low F key for the right pinky to help raise the pitch. Thank you to Beth Hildebrand at The Music Shoppe in Normal, IL for picking this clarinet out for me. I will never forget the joy we had together when I was trialing this clarinet. What a beauty! I knew going into my master's degree at Manhattan School of Music that the repertoire would be more challenging and the performance expectation would be higher as well, therefore, I felt that investing in new horns would benefit me in the long run. After one year of breaking in these clarinets, I personally think I made a very smart decision and I have no regrets.
Me present day with my
Buffet Crampon Tradition Bb Clarinet
I hope this blog was helpful for many of you! Everyone has different musical goals and purchasing a new professional instrument might be something you are considering as a future investment.
See you next time in The Reeding Room!