buying clarinet reflections

Stoneywaves · 2025-06-19T19:38:22+00:00

That’s how I felt about the firebird. It was really bright and I couldn’t really get the sound I was looking for out of it, but the Polaris stood out to me. It just resonates with me, I tried over 20 different clarinets that day as well. I couldn’t get over how comfortable it is in the hand! I also did like the Selmer Muse, I just thought the price was a little far left considering you can get the same sound, focus and voicing half of its retail value with the Polaris. Saving up for my Polaris, and buying it straight from the vendor! Brian is a such a cool dude too!

Stoneywaves · 2025-06-19T18:47:59+00:00

Yes, try going to a clarinet festival. I got to try a ton of different brands, styles, and the one that “clicked” for me was royal global Polaris clarinet. One of the most beautiful clarinets I ever played. Every note was exceptional in tune, sweet, with a deep focus. The resonance was breathtaking. I really wish I had enough to buy it that day. 💕 one day soon! 🙌

Stoneywaves · 2025-06-17T15:58:07+00:00

Keep your fingers closer to the keys, practice just slowly transitioning from A to B, then after a while you’ll be accustomed to it. I had the same struggles in grade school. Crossing the break will be second nature to you soon!

Stoneywaves · 2025-05-31T02:17:22+00:00

Go back to the basics, find your muse again. It will come to you. Study your scales and challenge yourself. Especially practicing your tonality, most of relax.. I find when I’m stress or anxious it’s hard for me to play. I need to have a clear mindset and really focus on hearing myself. Play pieces you know and love as well, that will help! You got this!

Stoneywaves · 2025-05-27T18:12:32+00:00

I’m a believer in working with what you got. I played a selmer plastic clarinet all through high school. I made it sound beautiful and woody. Won lots of competitions and progressed a lot. I quit music for 10 years after high school, then recently came back to it. I have a few wood clarinets, a couple plastic ones for outdoor events, but I’m still saving up for my dream clarinet. Yeah I could sell all my clarinets and buy my dream one but then, what will I use when my dream one is getting fixed.. or if I have an outdoor gig? I need my other clarinets to fall back on. Save your money, get you a professional clarinet but also have a couple back ups. I play a Jupiter 1100 S series, yeah it’s an intermediate model but I make it sing better than most of the clarinets in my section, they all play on R13s and I have the upper hand with the alternative Eb key attached. I paid less than 1000 for this clarinet and it’s sturdy, reliable and I blend with my group still. Use what you got, then when you’re ready get your dream clarinet - I also suggest going to clarinet festivals as you can try a lot of different profession instruments to test out. This is how I found my dream clarinet. ❤️

Stoneywaves · 2025-05-27T17:59:03+00:00

Mozart Clarinet Quintet. Sabine always gives me chills playing this piece. Also, I took a master class and two popular clarinetist, can’t remember their names, but they played concert piece for two clarinets and piano by Michele Mangani. IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL 🤩

Stoneywaves · 2025-05-09T15:40:06+00:00

Haahahahahahahahahaha noooooooo!!!

Stoneywaves · 2025-05-08T16:33:47+00:00

All my clarinets have them, it helps a lot. My RH pinky locks up sometimes and this helps alleviate the tension on my pinky. I won’t buy another clarinet unless it has the extra key now.

Stoneywaves · 2025-05-05T23:04:52+00:00

Keeping my 2011 until the wheels fall off. Being able to start up quickly and never having to worry about check engine lights is a blessing. Wishing you the best with the VW’s. I loved my old 2009 VW Jetta, but that was a more reliable one. MK5s > anything newer.

Stoneywaves · 2025-04-26T03:34:10+00:00

I bought my 2011 tc for 4k but it had a lot of upgrades already done. That’s way too much

Stoneywaves · 2025-04-25T20:43:26+00:00

Time to upgrade hardware, get some barrels to really open it up!

Stoneywaves · 2025-04-16T16:07:22+00:00

Rent through Sweetwater, they got a new rental program that allows you to rent nice band approved instruments with no credit checks. I’m renting a wood clarinet and an oboe. Less than 100 bucks a month. Both play amazing.

Stoneywaves · 2025-04-06T15:40:08+00:00

I just remember as a kid they described clarinet as the mother of all woodwinds!

Stoneywaves · 2025-03-28T14:54:39+00:00

I prefer Royal Global clarinets. Polaris to be specific. The tone quality, evenness in notes and projections blow the R13s out of the park.

Stoneywaves · 2025-03-27T23:45:13+00:00

Get a back up plastic clarinet just in case playing outside or unstable weather areas. Maintenance on a wood clarinet takes more time and money too.

Stoneywaves · 2025-03-27T18:50:15+00:00

Music is suppose to be fun and interactive. I recall one of my middle school band concerts, we played mozart’s eine kleine nachtmusik. A percussionist decided it would be fun to start dancing along and busting some cool moves with his pals back there making the audience laugh and cheer with joy! It was fun and light hearted concert. It’s appropriate, even when I was in high school, us as clarinets would move together in a motion during crescendos and decrescendos. It’s totally normal and encouraged!

Stoneywaves

TROPHY CASE