Marching Band?

[NicoleScraps]

Hi everyone. You are so diverse, I am sure someone has an answer for me about this non photography related issue.
My daughter wants to try marching band.....I need to buy her an instrument. She decided on clarinet for now.
I have no clue which one to buy
Bb Clarinets, A Clarinets, Bass Clarinets, Eb Clarinets?
Which is just a regular clarinet?
Anyone know?

[kelleyrie]

I was in marching band all through high school, pretty sure it's the Bb Clarinet that they use

[BuddhaPi]

Sorry can't help wit any wind instruments, but I played Trumpet, Baritone and French Horn..at least until I learned how to roll joints

That was the end of my band geekdom

[awinn]

B flat Clarinet is the regular clarinet.

(Former marching band geek and clarinet player)

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by BuddhaPi

Sorry can't help wit any wind instruments, but I played Trumpet, Baritone and French Horn..at least until I learned how to roll joints

That was the end of my band geekdom

you too? I played trumpet for 12 years, then stopped. I wonder why?

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by NicoleScraps

Hi everyone. You are so diverse, I am sure someone has an answer for me about this non photography related issue.
My daughter wants to try marching band.....I need to buy her an instrument. She decided on clarinet for now.
I have no clue which one to buy
Bb Clarinets, A Clarinets, Bass Clarinets, Eb Clarinets?
Which is just a regular clarinet?
Anyone know?

This is pretty much the standard issue student model: Bundy BCL-300 Clarinet - Free Shipping, Lowest Prices on Bb Clarinets at WWBW

Edit: Highly recommend Woodwind and Brasswind (music major in undergrad)

[Strathias]

Music teacher in a former life here. B flat clarinet is the "standard" clarinet.

Also, as an aside, look into renting instead of buying. Most music stores (especially ones in areas with lots of schools) will rent instruments. That way you don't have to spend 300-400 bucks on a new instrument, you can just rent one for 15-20 bucks a month. It also gives you flexibility if she ends up wanting to try something different.

Also, make sure you get her comfortable athletic shoes in the color the band director wants you to - marching band members tend to do a lot of marching, go figure.

Feel free to PM me with any other questions if you like.

John

[NicoleScraps]

Well, thanks alot for the advice and recommendations. One more question, is the clarinet a good choice for a child with braces on her teeth? I am thinking brass, since you hold it on the outside of your mouth and push in, would irritate the insides of her lips. Seems that wind instruments would be better since they go inside your mouth. Just my line of thinking.....I don't really know though.

[Izzy]

This one time at band camp

[Strathias]

Originally Posted by NicoleScraps

Well, thanks alot for the advice and recommendations. One more question, is the clarinet a good choice for a child with braces on her teeth? I am thinking brass, since you hold it on the outside of your mouth and push in, would irritate the insides of her lips. Seems that wind instruments would be better since they go inside your mouth. Just my line of thinking.....I don't really know though.

Honestly, all wind instrument (brass, woodwind or otherwise) players will have to adjust their embouchure (the shape the mouth makes when playing the instrument) to accomodate the braces. There may also be some discomfort, because the braces will irritate the inside of the lips. However, there are things you can do to get around the issues - I'm sure her band director has worked with plenty of kids that have braces, and can work with your daughter with any specific issues that may pop up. The rule of thumb I would recommend is don't play with pain - if it hurts, stop and figure out why, then do something different.

Hope that helps,

John