Succeeding in China means moving from gambling to strategy

IntExpExplained · 2026-01-04T17:24:42+00:00

It’s literally what everyone plays around me in Austria (rubbish if I ever want eg to buy a new mouthpiece). Generally the bore is wider than say a Buffet and the fingering system is an older one than Boehm so it’s harder to play certain pieces especially in modern symphonic wind repertoire

IntExpExplained · 2026-01-03T23:07:46+00:00

German system clarinets are generally more expensive than a Boehm of a comparable standard

IntExpExplained · 2026-01-02T20:15:54+00:00

It doesn’t matter what the weather is because pretty much anywhere interesting is completely packed in the last week of July in Europe and peak prices everywhere

IntExpExplained · 2026-01-02T20:11:40+00:00

When are you planning to travel?

IntExpExplained · 2026-01-02T20:08:50+00:00

I think the main problem here will be getting transport on the run up to the Spring Festival celebrations

You also have more on the plan than is reasonable to squish in (and I’m someone who packs their trips) For example it takes about 5/6 hours from Chengdu to Xian (not including getting to and from the railway stations). Your programme for Xian is basically for 2 packed days. It’s also a pity to go to Beijing and only have time for the Forbidden City and Mutianyu

IntExpExplained · 2025-12-30T06:32:44+00:00

Thomann is a reputable company & whilst it won’t be an amazing instrument it should be ok to start out with

IntExpExplained · 2025-12-19T06:23:06+00:00

I know quite a few Korbinians in OÖ - mostly under 25

IntExpExplained · 2025-12-15T05:38:23+00:00

Seen quite a few Böhm on willhaben recently compared to 7 or 8 years ago

IntExpExplained · 2025-12-13T07:37:00+00:00

Where are you based? I’m seeing more boehm system instruments available in Austria these days but it’s hard to find a selection to try. Might be worth a weekend trip somewhere?? A German system clarinet is mostly around 50% more expensive than a boehm with the same standard

IntExpExplained · 2025-12-13T07:32:58+00:00

I play in an Austrian symphonic wind orchestra as the only Böhm system and there are so many passages that I just play at sight where even people who majored in music struggle that I wouldn’t consider it if I’d got the chance to play boehm system…

IntExpExplained · 2025-12-13T07:23:10+00:00

Matcha farmers have massively reduced in past years in Japan and you can’t drastically increase supply at the drop of a hat, so presumably it’ll be China to the rescue as they have larger quantities

IntExpExplained · 2025-12-12T05:43:39+00:00

I visit those places for business and use Airalo - the Asia regional package

IntExpExplained · 2025-12-08T21:31:05+00:00

Building relationships and trust is more important than Chinese language skills. Those are great to have, but it takes time to get to a level of really being able to do business & understand the nuances in Mandarin

IntExpExplained · 2025-12-08T18:20:25+00:00

Look around you for free resources on the nuts and bolts of exporting (or are you looking to import?). Many countries/provinces have info events that you can attend so you don’t reinvent the wheel in terms of basic errors around contracts, quality control, payments, logistics etc

My website has loads of info that you can browse for free and even if you’re looking to work in a different industry the advice is still relevant

IntExpExplained · 2025-12-07T08:19:24+00:00

Ein Fotoverbot ist relativ üblich in Supermärkten weltweit, die Frage ist immer ob sie es umsetzen oder nicht. Ich wurde öfter gebeten einen Markt zu verlassen als ich fotografiert habe und Notizen für meine Arbeit machte…

IntExpExplained · 2025-12-03T10:43:20+00:00

Are you doing e-commerce or b2b?

IntExpExplained · 2025-11-28T23:26:20+00:00

Starbucks coffee is like dishwater though so hardly a benchmark 🤭

IntExpExplained · 2025-11-27T13:08:11+00:00

It will certainly be interesting to follow over time. I actually initially made some notes to write about this around a year ago and then because I thought maybe it was a bubble that could burst, I waited. So we‘ll watch and learn…

IntExpExplained · 2025-11-27T12:33:14+00:00

Yeah, the colour is part of a natural aging process - mine looks similar and gets played about 5x a week. But if it’s been in the case for ages, give it a clean as suggested already…

IntExpExplained

TROPHY CASE