Buying a Step Up / Intermediate Clarinet
Your biggest consideration in the purchase of a new/used clarinet is your budget. One might expect to spend between $600.00 and $1800.00 for a step up / intermediate clarinet. While there are some cost savings associated with buying a used clarinet, there is also a certain amount of risk involved. A used clarinet will most likely need to be adjusted and balanced for your personal touch.
Some Brand Names to Look For
Generally brand name instruments are your best choice. Some makers are: Armstrong, Artley, Blessing, Buffet, Bundy, Noblet, Jupiter, Leblanc, Selmer, and Yamaha.
Features of the Step Up / Intermediate Clarinet
Body (plastic / hard rubber)
Step up / intermediate clarinets can be made of plastic / hard rubber, or wood. Plastic / hard rubber clarinets are quite durable, and tend to stand up better to the daily rigors of student use. The body of the plastic / hard rubber clarinet is not affected by changes in relative humidity and climate; this attribute makes the plastic / hard rubber clarinet the ideal choice for students and professionals who perform outdoors.
Body (wood)
Wood clarinets are generally made of African Grenadilla wood, and provide a warmer, more practiced sound than a plastic / hard rubber clarinet. However, this advantage is offset by the discipline needed to maintain and care for the wood clarinet. The wood clarinet experiences contraction / expansion due to changes in temperature and humidity. While the contraction / expansion of the body occurs, the posts and key work will move as well. This situation makes for loose and binding keys.
Typical causes for this phenomenon are:
- infrequent practice schedules
- long periods of non-use
- forgetting the clarinet in a hot / cold car
- leaving damp cleaning swabs in the case
The Bore
At the step up / intermediate level, modifications to the bore (the inside of the clarinet) begin to appear. Actions such as “undercutting” refer to the removal of sharp edges caused during the machining of toneholes. This extra step assists with intonation and response.
Keys
Step up / intermediate clarinets often have keys made out of an alloy called German silver. German silver is made from copper, zinc, and nickel. The keys are plated in nickel or silver.
The key work on a step up / intermediate clarinet should feel similar to a professional clarinet. This is accomplished by installing blue steel springs. Blue steel springs provide a quicker response coupled with a lighter touch.
Mouthpiece
The most common materials used for clarinet mouthpieces are plastic and hard rubber. Most step up / intermediate clarinets include a basic mass-produced plastic mouthpiece. Consider having it re-faced or replace it with a professional mouthpiece. The advantages for the student are three-fold: the instrument will sound better, it will play with greater ease, and the time it takes to get accustomed to a new mouthpiece may be lengthy, so start with the best and stay there. For more information regarding mouthpieces click here.
Case
Finally, a sturdy case that fits the contour of the clarinet is essential to ensure that your new companion remains safe and snug. Always store your swab and wiping cloth in an external “case cover”. This will ensure extra lint and moisture will not accumulate in and on your clarinet. Case covers are often padded for that “extra” level of security just in “case”.
