Clarinets

I would suggest renting it at first that is an econimical way to go on the off chance that he decides it is not for him. When we did it a few years ago it was between $20.00 and $25.00 a month. You will have to buy the reeds but that is about $5.00. My daughter only played for 3 month as her ears could not handle it. And when I played as a child I was only able to play for about 6 months as my ears would not handle it either. The benifit of renting is that I was not out the hundreds it costs for the instrament. Then if they decide to go to a different insterment or their health do no permit it is easy to get out of. Northridge Music on Greenback Lane at almost Sunrise in Citrus Heights is a great place.

I can't recommend a brand, but if you are in the Sacramento area, I strongly recommend Kline's Music, they're located across the street from Sac City College and they're very helpful and even offer a rental program!!!

Try a pawn shop, musicians leave instruments there often and you can get them at a good price.
E. C.
ps, if you're interested in an at home business, call me at ###-###-#### or visit: www.marykay.com/ecuffy for info. I've been in it 22 years!

This is what my husband, who knows more about these things than I do, had to say:

Many music shops rent musical instruments or have rent/lease or rent to own programs, which would enable your son to try out the clarinet without the risk of an outright purchase of an instrument. Contact some of the local shops, e.g., El Cerito Musicworks, Forrests (in Berkeley), or Best Music (Oakland), to get more information.

K. K.

Rent it! I believe Magic Flute in Terra Linda offers student rentals...it can be a much better option, because:
1. It means you don't have to spend a bunch of $$ on a high-quality instrument while your child figures out his level of committment to playing;
2. It means you don't have to spend a still-not-insignificant amount on a cheap instrument only to find that your kid really gets into it and now you have to buy the nice clarinet after all!

I rented a violin when I first started taking lessons; after a year I realized I was definitely going to keep playing so I went and got a really nice box, but the renting was a good choice.

Hi R.!

Because this is the first year of the clarinet, I would recommend that you rent a clarinet until a definite interest is shown.

It has been our experience that these musical interests only last a few years, then are "done away" with. You may be left with trying to "get rid" of your clarinet that you have purchased.

I know in Modesto, there are only a couple of places that actually rent instruments, so you may have to call around in your area.

Good Luck!

:o) N.

I would definitely recommend renting any instrument for a kid, and not buying until they've played for a while and you can be sure they will like it and stick with it. My two kids played about six different instruments through the years, and they could try out this variety because we rented them from Magic Flute at Northgate.

I bought my daughter's clarinet at a pawn shop. I told them I could only afford $125.00 and they gave me a clarinet for that price. Just make sure they will let you exchange it after you get it checked. Take the instrument to your local music shop and have them clean and inspect it - older clarinets can sometimes have worms in the cases.

My daughters clarinet is wooden and worth abot $1200.00 now - so it not only served it's purpose, but was a good investment.

When I was in middle and highschool we always rented our instruments. Check with local music stores to see if they still do that.

My daughter plays the clarinet and has for years now. I would rent one at Klines Music or Tims Music. At Klines, if you decide to keep it, the rental payements are applied to the cost. At some point in our rental, Klines sent me a letter saying that we were paid off and the clarinet was ours. While you are renting, they will fix any breakage. And this gives you a safe way to "try" out the instrument and see if it sticks with your son. Tim might have the same rental program. If you are looking for clarinet teachers, the Sacramento Youth Symphony has a list of teachers. That is a great program your son after he has learned to play.

Good luck, my daughter really enjoys the clarinet.

What about renting one for a while first? See if he continues to play, then buy one for him.

Dear R.,
I think kids being interested in music is the most awesome thing. I have two children and have been through the entire musical gamut. My advice is to rent an instrument, either from the school or a local music store. Instruments are very expensive and an investment. I think that renting is the best option until you know that your child will really want to have a love for it and stick with it. My son's school is wonderful in that they lend the instruments for the time it takes to see who is really devoted or has a flair for a certain instrument. As a result, my son has learned to play SO many things and I didn't have to invest with his changing interests on a permanent basis. I went through hell purchasing my daughter the "best" flute and once the school year was over, she never touched it again. She's 21 and doesn't remember a single note.

Rent from a music store. Don't buy anything until your child has played for a couple of years and shows continued interest and aptitude - you will save $$ and when/if you do want to invest in a purchase, you will have time and experience to make a good choice for your son. Also if your son decides he doesn't like it, or want to stick with it, there is a lot less invested.

The best thing would be to go to a local music store and rent a clarinet until your son is sure he likes the instrument and wants to continue. Best Music in Oakland, Campana in Lafayette for instance are two stores we have dealt with. The rental fees can generally be applied to the purchase later on.

We rented ours. The school program had some recommendations for me. We now play saxophone and are renting from the same place. It is insurance for when my son changes his mind. We could have bought one by now but we want to make sure it is the real deal. Hornucopia in San Carlos is the place. They really are wonderful and very reasonably priced. They might have used clarinets too. The maintain them very well. VERY friendly. Family owned. Give them a call.

Hi R.-
I am a clarinetist. When I started, I rented my clarinet from a music store and then eventually bought it and a better instrument (Buffet) several years later. You might look into rental first, just to see if his interest continues. Best Music in Oakland rents instruments.

Another option is to buy a used one from craigslist.

At the beginning, the quality of the instrument is not as important - He will have to focus on his fingering and using the mouth piece. I think the higher quality ones are a bit harder to play.

Good luck and enjoy the beautiful sound of squeaks!

How about renting one for a semester, and if he sticks with it consider purchasing?
Good luck,
L.

Good for him!!! :) A few years back my junior high band teacher showed me a brain scan of someone speaking a foreign language and then another of someone playing violin--the parts of the brain that were animated on the musician were at least twice that of the language speaker. It was amazing.

But--that wasn't what you were asking.

I learned to play clarinet on a school rental Bass Clarinet. In junior high my folks bought me a Vito Bb Clarinet (the one you usually see)--it is not the best thing out there but was good enough that I progressed to where it was obvious I needed a better clarinet. My folks were able to buy a used Buffet clarinet that I still have and cherish. It took me through college and maybe someday I'll let my boys play it. :)

The advice to rent first is excellent unless you find a good deal on a clarinet through eBay or Craig's List or Freecycle.

Some of the better brands are Buffet and Yamaha. Plastic is fine for learning but a good clarinet is going to be made of wood. It will require cleaning after each practice which is merely running a soft rag through it tip to bottom. My cleaning rag has a long ribbon with a weight in the end to drop it through the clarinet. It will need the cork conditioned with cork grease (it's in a chapstick type tube and you just rub it on). The cork is on the bottom of each section that "plugs into" the other section. The pads (located under the "buttons") can dry out if not kept in its case when not played. They will eventually need replaced anyway but it's not an expensive thing to do. The reeds will be the most costly investment because the darn things break so easily. A good starter read is a hardness of "2" (the hardnesses go up to 5 or 6 or better--I've forgotten) and you don't need to buy the most expensive ones to get going. Indeed, as your son progresses through his learning his teacher will suggest when it's time to move up in reed strength.

Good luck to you and your son--I hope he enjoys it and stays with it--I got many scholarship offers for music and it helped with college. But in the meantime--it was just fun. :)

M.

R.,
Several area music stores will let you rent them. This way you can be sure he will still be interested next year but without the huge expense.
If it looks like he will continue with this instrument THEN you can look into purchasing one. Some stores also offer used instruments. I'm not sure where you are located but I know that there are several in the Sacramento area. Look in your phone book & call ask if they have any programs like this or maybe can refer you to someone who does...
Good Luck,lisa

Renting one first is a great idea. If and when you decide to buy one, check out a pawn shop. They always have instruments, often at pretty good prices.

Check on E-bay. My son is playing the Euphonium (smaller tuba). We found a brand new one on e-bay that was very resonable. You could also check with your local "Freecycle" yahoo group. A lot of times people are getting rid of stuff for free. Great place to start.

A. in N. CA

hi

you might try renting one for a few months to see if it's desired. You would have the rental and reeds for the horn.

A music store that seels instrucments prob rents them

good luck

I played oboe for years on one from the high school - no one could afford their own instruments!! and we had a klunker of a piano but I learned because I wanted to.

Enjoy
B.

Hi R.! I'm a professional musician, holding a Master's in Pedagogy in Music. My advice would be to go to your nearest music store and see what's available to rent. Don't buy an instrument until your son has decided that he wants to continue with the clarinet for many years to come. With many music stores, you can rent-to-buy, using part of your rental payments toward the purchase of the instrument. So my best advice is to hold off for a year or so and don't buy until you're sure. Good luck and you're welcome to send me personal questions whenever needed. D.

I agree that you can find a place that has a rental program. Most places have a rent to own type of program. If you son ends up loving it, then you can start looking at specific brands and purchasing.

First Act is a good starter brand and I believe that both Target and Toys R Us sells them. You can also try looking on e-bay or craigs list for a used clarinet. My son played the trumpet in 6th grade, which I bought on e-bay for $50.

www.craiglslist.com is a good website to get things at a good price.

A Bundy or Selmer resonite (special plastic) clarinet is a good starter instrument. Look for a second hand one, and have it checked out, and/or overhauled at a reputable music shop. Ask the music teacher to recommend a repair shop or person.

These instruments do have resale value, so if you can afford it, buying is probably a better financial move than renting. Although most shops will let you apply your rental payments towards purchase of the instrument if you do it with in a certain number of months (typically less than 1 year).

You should try to rent one first, to see if they like it. We rented one at the music store on Union. I believe the cross street is either Foxworthy or Curtner.
:) L

You may want to try www.freecycle.com
and place a wanted ad. You never know.......someone may have one that their child is no longer using. You can also try placing a wanted ad on Craigslist.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ has clarinets starting at $179.00 with free shipping.
www.interstatemusic.com has one starting at $159.00
We purchased our daughters piccolo from them many years ago.

Good Luck
J.

I had a Vito brand clarinet as a kid. I think they are cheap on ebay.

Your best option is Craigslist. There are many, many listings for used clarinets and they will be perfect for your son. Vito and Bundy are affordable but good brands. Yamaha is a mid- to high-level brand. Selmer is a great brand and you may be able to find an affordable used one on Craigslist. Hope this helps!! My sister is a music teacher and she probably has some additional advice. Contact me if you would like to chat with her.

Hi
I played clarinet in grade school. I cant remember the brand however, sorry. The school furnished them but you could try a second hand store.

R., I am unsure where you live so I hope these locations are within a reasonable distance for you. I asked a young band/music teacher I know. He said: Yamaha has some pretty good student-model clarinets. Yamaha YCL-250 Bb Clarinet is a good beginner level instrument. Music Village will have some for purchase or for rent. They have two locations: 1.Santa Teresa & Snell, 2.Union & Foxworthy)
Hope this helps.
S. A.

Don't buy - rent! Look under the yellow pages for a music store that rents instruments near you. I rented from C&L Music in Concord for both my daughters. It's a family run business that has instrument of every kind and for every level of talent. If your son ends up liking the clarinet, then you can buy one. I made the mistake of buying a $1,500 sax for my daughter because she was really getting good on her rented one, and then she ended up dropping it altogether 6 months later. You know your son best, but I would wait a couple of years before buying. Good luck - see you at the symphony!
M.

If your son is just starting out, why not rent or buy a second hand instrument. That should be more than adequate for a beginner.

Try going to your local music store and seeing about a rental program. That way if he decides it is not for him you wont have a clarinet collecting dust. And if he loves it, you could incorporate him working for it over the summer so he can continue learing.

You should rent one first. You can buy your own mouth piece. Try to rent a wood one if you can because they are always better quality and sound then the plastic. After he plays for a year and he really enjoys it...then go to the music store and have him try some out. Large music stores should have quiet rooms so that you can try the instruments out without others hearing you....it's fun too! They should be able to walk you through all the different brands. I played the clarinet for 10 years, I wish I would have kept it up. I had a very nice clarinet that I let my cousin borrow...he doesn't know what happened to it! It was expensive! Once your son learns the clarinet, he will be able to play the saxophone, the alto has some similar finger keys, but he will know how to use the mouth piece of any sax he picks up. Some (I did sort of) can learn how to play the flute easily too, which is handy for those wanting to play the flute in jazz bands.